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Swordsman
Posted on Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 05:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Today was really the first time I've gotten to get out and just run the bike since I replaced the clutch cable, and man my shifter is acting weird. The shifts seem "stiff", like it's taking a bit of extra force to get it to pop in place, and about 30% of the upshifts simply don't happen. The lever travels the full distance, but there's no pop or clunk, and the bike remains in the current gear. It takes a second shift to make it catch.

My first suspect would be that the primary chain is too tight, but I measured it, there isn't any noise coming from it like I would expect. Any other thoughts?

~SM
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Barker
Posted on Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 11:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

check the angles of your shift linkage. Odd angles can cause awkward shifting.
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Swordsman
Posted on Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 11:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Nah, they're as close to right angles as you can get them. I made sure of that when I put the shifter back on from the cable install.

~SM
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Swordsman
Posted on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - 12:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Anybody else...?
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Truk
Posted on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - 12:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

When replacing the clutch cable did you go thru the entire procure according to the service manual including adjusting the clutch release mechanism.
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Swordsman
Posted on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - 01:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yes. I believe it called for a soft bottoming out and then a 1/4-1/2 turn back. I split the difference with a 3/4 turn back. The clutch feels like it's releasing in the right place, but I don't know what clutch "drag" or "slipping" feels like... don't think I've ever experienced it.

If it was JUST a stiff click it would make more sense to me, but what's the deal with the shifter missing altogether, like I mentioned above? I have no idea how that could even occur. Feels like it simply ceases to make contact with anything internally, and I have to take a 2nd swipe at it to get the mechanism to engage.

~SM
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88b
Posted on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - 03:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yes. I believe it called for a soft bottoming out and then a 1/4-1/2 turn back. I split the difference with a 3/4 turn back. The clutch feels like it's releasing in the right place, but I don't know what clutch "drag" or "slipping" feels like... don't think I've ever experienced it

3/4 is a 1/4 turn further in so the clutch may not be releasing completely this is called DRAG. SLIP is when the clutch does not grip 100% so although the motor revs the bikes does not accelerate as it should.
Since the only thing you changed was the cable, the place I'd start is with adjustment. Slacken the cable and adjust that screw again then re adjust the cable. At least it's basically a Sportster so it's easy to change the cable etc. not like a big twin where the exhaust has to come off and the end of the trans.
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Srwitt
Posted on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - 04:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Do the entire clutch adjustment procedure, AND FOLLOW THE MANUAL. I readjusted my clutch, after getting it back from a dealer installing a new cable (warranty), I did the adjustments myself, took no more than 30 minutes, and my bike shifts better than the day I took delivery, leading me to believe Harley mechanics suck ass and don't follow manuals.
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Swordsman
Posted on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - 04:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Oops, I wrote that wrong. Didn't turn 3/4 back... would have been... uummm... 5/8ths? Dangit! I suck at fractions. What's halfway between 1/4 and 1/2...?

Dammit Jim, I'm an artist, not an architect!

~SM
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Iamarchangel
Posted on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - 05:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

2/8, 3/8, 4/8


3/8
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Swordsman
Posted on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - 08:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Well, I redid the entire clutch adjustment per the manual, and readjusted the primary chain. The chain actually seemed a bit loose, but I dunno if that could contribute to my symptoms or not. Anyway, guess we'll see how it does tomorrow. I plan on taking it to work. Hopefully it won't act up... nothing gets your attention like expecting a higher gear and not having it.
vrooooooom (shift), (lurch!) VROOOOOM!

~SM

(Message edited by Swordsman on November 11, 2009)
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Sam_07
Posted on Thursday, November 12, 2009 - 08:29 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Get the bike HOT, adjust the primary (measuring in multiple places to find the tight spot) then adjust the clutch. I set all mine to 1/4 turn. Adjust the clutch cable so you have 1/8 of ferrel(spelling?)when the cable is pulled back from the perch.

I have fix more Buells this way! PM me and ill be glad to help!
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Swordsman
Posted on Friday, November 13, 2009 - 10:08 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Well dangit, I didn't ride yesterday, but I got all suited up and started to work this morning and, as luck would have it, I have the stupid clutch adjusted wrong! I should have expected it, being friday the 13th and all. That's what I get for not doing a test ride. It's slipping now... releasing the lever, it just barely makes contact. I swear, I dunno why this is proving to be so difficult. I'm following the manual, and every time I get a different result. When I adjusted it on Wednesday, the first time the lever wouldn't even budge, so I started over AGAIN (3rd try), and thought I had it this time. I'm beginning to think maybe something is screwed up with the ball/ramp stuff. I mean, seriosuly, how hard is it to loosen the cable, bottom the screw, turn it 1/4 back, reinstall the lock plate, and pull the lever 3 times, and retighten the cable? How do I keep messing this up?


~SM

(Message edited by Swordsman on November 13, 2009)
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Hogs
Posted on Friday, November 13, 2009 - 10:17 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Theres something about installing the cable adjust it there like 1/4 trun abit more , But before adjusting at lever pop the clutch lever 3 or 4 times to set the ball/ramp at the clutch end but maybe u have allready done that or others can tell ya I Have to run good luck
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Swordsman
Posted on Saturday, November 14, 2009 - 03:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Okay! Finally got it to work properly. Dunno what I did different, but the clutch is now functioning the way it should. AND, I loosened the primary chain up just a tad, and my shifter is snicking into place just right... no resistance, no missed shifts. Glad to have that out of the way. Now back to riding, before the cold weather really sets in!

~SM
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