I got an '05 1200 Custom. Ive put about 21k on it and in the past couple days ive noticed the clutch picking up slack when im in gear. When Im in neutral its regular tesion but its alot looser in gear. Its also Shiofting a little harder. Ive checked the adjustment nut and its all good to go. Do I need a new clutch? anymore info I need to provide? thanks for any responses.

 

Which adjustment nut? Adjusting the clutch involves 2 separate adjustments, one behind the derby cover, the other on the clutch cable.

If you don't have a Service Manual, get one.

If that doesn't work, you may have a clutch spring plate failing.

 

Yea I checked them both it almost feels like a clutch slipping in a car. Is 21k real short for a clutch to last? I engine brake as well but not drastically.

 

I installed an easy clutch as well. Would that lead to faster wearing?

 

Sounds like the middle spring plate in the clutch pack. The spring plate on my first clutch went out at around 25,000 miles. The second clutch lasted for 40,000 miles before the spring plate started going out.

This is not something you want to ignore for very long. The spring plate is made up of 2 plated, with spring held together with brass rivets. Those rivets start to go bad, and the parts will float around inside the clutch basket. The first time this happened to my bike, those parts floating around caused the clutch hub and clutch shell to be damaged beyond repair. Thankfully, that repair was covered under warranty.

The second time, I replaced the clutch with the Screamin Eagle clutch. That design uses extra friction and steel plates, with no middle spring plate. The upside to that is you don't have to worry about the middle spring plate going out. The downside is that it is a VERY stiff clutch to pull.

Oh, and replacing the clutch is a major PITA the first time you go through the process.

 

well, crap. 26,500 or so miles on mine and it seems like the original poster's description mirrors mine. i can't quite get it right with the external cable adjustment - it either feels like it's slipping or it pulls just ever so slightly when i shift out of neutral. eh, it's about time for a servicing anyway.

 

That is exactly how it feels when the middle spring plate is coming apart. It both slips and drags. Which technically is impossible.

But you might try adjusting the clutch, not just the cable.

 

lol its a harley everything begins to fail around 20-30 grand milage, that can't be by accident IMO

 

My spring plate went bad at 14K so I just had a SE cluthc installed. Everyone said it was gonig to be hard to pull, but I don't think it is. Get the SE clutch kit.

One question I have is when adjusting the clutch and you turn the screw-do you go till it stops then back ot off 1/2 turn or do you just turn it till you start to feel it get a bit harder then back it off? Also I take it that you adjust the SE clutch the same way you do the stock one right?