Hey all! I have a 1987 Sportster 883/1200. I changed the primary oil today. After checking to make sure everything was in place I started her up and she sounded fine. I grabbed my riding gear and hopped on to noticed the clutch fully depressed with no resistance and didn't return to its original position. I didn't touch the clutch and I thought I would ask some insight before I tear it down. Any ideas?

 

Broken clutch cable? Coincidences can occur. Sure you did not touch anything else, just drain and replace fluid? What does "checking to see everything is in place" mean? Did you take the primary cover off? I think '87 bikes still have the small bowtie cover over the adjustment screw, not a derby cover like later models, correct?

A strange flurry of transmission/clutch problems lately, maybe the long winter layover and clutch plates are stuck together?


John

 

If you put too much oil in it will cause problems. Also if you happened to adjust the clutch cable if you go over that 1/4 to 1/2 inch turn it will cause what you saying. Finally could be your plates are warped and shot.

 

What about the clutch lock nut/sping? Did you make sure it was in place prior to putting the cover back on? This video does a good job of explaining it.

Allen

 

Here's the right video. Sorry about the mix up.

Allen

 

Sorry. Just re read that you didn't touch the clutch cable. Definitely start with the oil level.

 

Even without touching the clutch cable, the lock nut may not have been placed back properly. You might as well check that while you have the cover off to check oil level.

Allen

 

I may have added too much oil and ran it. What could that have caused?

 

****!, I added too much oil. I got a bad tip. Someone told me to add a quart to the case. I pulled out the service manual add it says to add just to the drainage bolt. Crap! What did I do? and how do I fix it?

 

It usually is a quart, but your really need to measure it by the derby cover being off. Just drain it and refill it to the right level. No damage