Hello all! Im hoping someone can give me some advice here. Ive recently upgraded from a Sportster to a 99 Fatboy and I love it! The only thing is that it shifts extremely hard and I have to think something is wrong. Also, I absolutely cannot get it into nuetral with the motor running. I have to kill the motor and then shift into nuetral. Ive already adjusted the clutch with the cable adjuster all the way loosened up, then tightened it back up so there is about 1/16" gap between the cable sleeve and the clutch lever. I even tightened it even more so there was no gap to see if that helped, but still the same. Any suggestions on what my problem might be?

Thanks!

 

Make sure the shifter pegs are not hitting the floorboards when shifting, also when was the last time the transmission oil was changed?

 

The pegs are ok, but Ive only owned the bike for a month and I havent changed the transmission oil, so maybe that should be a good starting point. Thanks!

 

For peace of mind........change all 3 fluids.
I did mine the day it got delivered, now i know whats in there and when it went it.
Re-do the clutch adjustment at the primary when you do the primary fluid change, then do the lever adjustment.
Get the correct manual for your model too, you will use it alot.
Hope it helps.

 

Try a larger gap between the shift lever & cable sleeve. Should be about 1/8 inch. Any less & clutch will drag.

 

You might want to check, clean and adjust of the shift linkage too ... might be some road grime in there or too much play.

 

Adjust the Clutch at the Primary. The Clutch Plates are dragging and the Clutch is not fully releasing. This is keeping a light load on the gear train even with the Clutch Lever pulled, this makes it very difficult to shift and almost impossible to find Neutral.

You are adjusting the Clutch Cable which changes the pull on the Clutch Mechanism. But if the adjustment at the Clutch Pack (which is a different thing) isn't correct; even at full pull on the Clutch Lever the Clutch Plates will still be dragging. Your description is classic and matches this perfectly.

 

i've had the same problem, the spline on the shifter needs greasing its a five min job, undo the shifter by a allen key slide the shifter out wipe it with some fine grade wire wool then use plenty of copper grease and reassemble, you should notice the difference.

 

Redline Heavy Shock Trans oil will greatly improve that trans...

 

as post #7 said.... adjust cluch at the primary. then the lever