OK, so I adjusted my clutch using the service manual and the "easy" method I found online. Now the question is:

At what point in the lever travel is the correct spot for the clutch to engage?

When I tested it, as I let the lever out, the bike starts to move in 1st gear when the lever is approximately 1 inch away from the bar. It feels correct, but this is my first clutch adjustment so I want to make sure I did it right.

Thanks!

 

How much slack is there when you start to pull on the lever? As long as you have a little slack you should be fine.

 

Yup, what he said. As long as you have a bit (dime to nickle's worth on the lever fulcrum) you should be fine. The friction zone will be different depending on the machine and use. For example, I adjust the clutch the same (probably the "easy" method you mention) on both my bikes. But the Ultra with ~45K miles and the Softail with ~10K miles have about 3/4" difference in "feel" from the lever.

 

If you can pull hard on the cable and fit a nickel beetween the cable housing and the perch you have correct free-play. I back the adj. screw out 1/2 turn from the bottom and my clutch engages an inch off the grip. That's where I like it. Sounds like you're good.

 

Cool. I finished up the rest of the maintenance and went for a short ride. Everything appears to be good.

Thanks!

 

.
Your good to go.
If you want the clutch grab a little closer to the bar just back the adjuster screw on the clutch pack out a bit further next time.

 

Jason,
Where is this easy method located? I'd like to check it out'

Pete

 

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/trans...djustment.html

 

Yep, that's it. I did it by the book the first time and I couldn't get the bike to engage a gear, so I used this easy method and it worked like a charm.