To start I will say I tried to do a search but didnt really find anything. I have a 2016 883 iron with around 2200 miles. First bike so my experience and knowledge is limited. I am having shifting issues when down shifting to a stop. When down shifting to first, the shifter becomes spongy or springy. When I take off I might be in 2 or third. I does this about 30% of the time and it seems when the bike is good and hot. Started doing it before my 2k service and is still doing it after. Service done by me. Under normal shifting once I get to first, the shift arm bottoms out. Will no long press down. When it does this, I can tell because the shifter will just be springy or spongy. Wont catch the next gear down. And like I said, I may take off in second or third. Any ideas? I did do the clutch and clutch cable adjustment per the manual during the 2k service.

 

Might want t take it in for service if still under warranty

 

If it's still under warranty I'd have the service dept look it over.

 

But, based on the Ops mileage indications, it sounds fishy that the issue started very close to after he did his own service. Unless it's totally coincidental...it sounds like he screwed up the clutch adjustment...or tried to adjust the shift linkeagr.

So, either redo the adjustments closely following the service manual or take it to the dealer.

 

Op said it did it before and after the 2K service.

 

If you are in First.... there is no more gears down. Not sure what you are asking.

 

Could be an adjustment issue however when you are coming to a stop, are you shifting as you slow down or are you just shifting down rapidly as you're about to stop? Sometimes if you shift rapidly as you're about to stop it'll hang up in 2nd or 3rd (at least on my sportster when I first started riding and didnt shift down as I was slowing down) and it'll feel like its just a lever attached to a spring with nothing on the end of it. When this happens just stop, slowly let the clutch out and a tiny bit of gas and it'll link up, then you can shift all the way down. But it also could be an adjustment issue.

 

Well Trigeezer, dont beat around the bush. I said I had little motorcycle experience and thus, knowledge. However, I'm not mechanically inept. The clutch adjustment, at least on the sportster is fairly straightforward, and I dont feel I screwed it up.

NATE, However. What you seem to be saying sounds like it may be what I am experiencing. I drive a truck, and skip shifting is somewhat second nature and I maybe guilty of it while riding. At least when downshifting. Didn't realizes this is or would be an issue. So its possible that the problem is bad riding habit, and not mechanical? I will say I took the riding class at HD and the instructor was insistent that I/we do not gear down to assist with slowing/stopping. This maybe where I picked up the habit. Thoughts?

 

I've never taken the class but have been riding for over 20 years. Just curious as to why you wouldn't want to do this? I let out the clutch for every downshift. I will blip the throttle if I'm going to downshift and need the rpm's higher to match the lower gear. Maybe the instructor didn't think ya'll were at that level yet.

 

Yeah when driving a truck Im guilty of skip shifting as well which is what transferred over when I started riding. Ive had my bike at HD for all of the check ups/maintenance and they say its completely fine however from time to time it will still do what you're describing if I slow down first, then shift all the way through. Now I down shift as I slow down however I dont let the clutch out for each gear (not that people who do are incorrect or Im correct its just what I do) but rather get to the gear I need to be then let the clutch out and maintain that speed or if its a light I'll pull the clutch in, downshift as I go down in speed, end up in first and stop. Sometimes old habits die hard though and I find myself stuck in 2nd or 3rd and I'll like I said I'll let the clutch out real slow with the slightest bit of gas and feel it slip back into gear, then Im able to get down to first.