Easy Clutch Adjustment Method

Here is an almost fool proof method for clutch adjustment. It takes the...

glider 

It's under the derby cover.

If you looked a bit further in this same forum, you would have found this.

Clutch Adjustment Video - Harley Davidson Community

NEWHD74FAN 

Hi Glider,

Thank you for being such a good host and providing this forum. I am a bit old fashion in that I have ...a...a...dial-up connection so the video does not work for me. Is there a short text procedure that is fairly straight forward? No real hurry on this, my clutch only needed the cable adjustment portion. Thanks!

glider 

Glad to help you and others out. If the one above isn't good for you, try this one then.

Clutch Adjustment By The Book - Harley Davidson Community

hd dan 

I have had trouble with this since the I did my 1000 service. I just finished my 20,000 mile service and had the same old problems using the method in the shop manual. Your way works much better. It still goes into first gear with a loud clunk until it warms up though. This is my first fuelie and I am used to having control of the idle speed with the enrichener. Am i shifting into first too soon? How long of a warm up does it need on a 40 degree farenheit day?
thanks hd dan

glider 

All harleys do the clunk thing going into first and even shifting between gears, it's the nature of the beast. You can minimize it by pulling in the clutch and waiting a few seconds before shifting into first. It gives the gears a bit of time to stop spinning before engaging which will minimize and in some cases eliminate the clunk.

gs34 

Hey Glider, in your "Easy adjustment method" you state:3)Turn the pushrod adjuster bolt in while holding the lever against the bar lightly until it starts to force the lever away for some distance. (Do this more than once to get the feel).
I'm just wondering what your definition of "SOME DISTANCE" is?...a half inch?..an inch??
I like doing it your way. Just curious about an approximate distance to allow the lever to move.
I guess it doesn't really matter that much since you are going to back it off again till it touches. Probably what will make the difference is the additional amount turned after the lever contacts the grip....is that correct?

glider 

You got it right the "some distance" is maybe 1/4 to 1/2" so the cable lash is taken up.

Lancer 

Used this technique today while doing the 5k service on my 08 Ultra, worked like a champ. Thanks Glider.

glider 

It's a pretty fool proof method and it's easy to do. Glad it worked well for you.

Bikerchef 

glider, I have this grinding/clunking sound when I shift into first and when I down shift. Is this the clutch or the cable that needs the the adjustment.
That grinding into gear really is bothering me.