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Shifting Issues

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  #1  
Old 07-11-2011 | 10:08 AM
Bleachey's Avatar
Bleachey
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Default Shifting Issues

I've searched the site and haven't found a thread specific to my issue. Friday night I noticed it was hard to shift my bike occasionally, 3-4 four times when I was downshifting coming to a stop. Once or twice when upshifting into third it seemed like I had to stomp it pretty good. I looked it over and nothing on the shifter or linkage seemed to be grabbing. Sunday morning I went on about a 100 mile ride and didn't seem to have any issues. Sunday night it was acting really bad and I noticed at stop lights the bike was trying to pull me forward like the clutch wasn't fully engaged. All the fluids are good. My buddy and I tried to adjust the clutch based on the instructions in a service manual and it's still doing the same thing. Now, neither of us are professional mechanics, so I don't want to rule out the possibility that we didn't get it adjusted properly, but I would love some advice on what the problem could be.
 
  #2  
Old 07-11-2011 | 10:13 AM
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bigdumbnoitall00
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most hard to find nuetral and hard to shift,are clutch adjustments.do some reading in here many have reported that they use a little different method to get it right,the clutchs on the newer bike are tough to adjust to the sweet spot.
 
  #3  
Old 07-11-2011 | 12:55 PM
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Did you adjust the clutch in the primary or just the cable?
 
  #4  
Old 07-11-2011 | 01:32 PM
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Weatheredge
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yes, what above has asked already ~ Did you adjust the clutch in the primary or just the cable? or both? just wondering?
 
  #5  
Old 07-11-2011 | 01:37 PM
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Both, but in doing some more reading I may try it again. The manual I have says 1/2 to 1 turn on the set screw, I went 3/4. Some other posts suggest you mayu have to go more, that it is really really sensitive and hard to find the sweet spot.
 
  #6  
Old 07-11-2011 | 02:43 PM
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medic1555
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Right after I got my '08 SG I started having shifting issues. Turns out it was the shifter. If you look, it runs inside a sleeve on it's way to the transmission. When I took mine apart it was covered in thick, hard grease causing the shifther to bind on up shifts and down shifts. I cleaned it, re-greased it and then drilled the sleeve and put a grease fitting on it. Has worked perfectly ever since. Take a look at yours and see if it's binding.
 
  #7  
Old 07-11-2011 | 02:57 PM
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Sounds like the clutch basket may be worn. How many miles does bike have on it. If adjusting doesn't work I'd pull the primary cover, clutch disc. and check the inside of the basket for wear, groves etc.
 
  #8  
Old 07-11-2011 | 05:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Bleachey
Both, but in doing some more reading I may try it again. The manual I have says 1/2 to 1 turn on the set screw, I went 3/4. Some other posts suggest you mayu have to go more, that it is really really sensitive and hard to find the sweet spot.
3/4 turn is fine but 1 won't hurt if you like the clutch release closer to the grip. Make sure you have loosened the cable fully before adjusting the clutch. Then be sure the set screw doesn't turn when you tighten the nut.
 
  #9  
Old 07-12-2011 | 06:39 AM
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Dans03RKC
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Originally Posted by medic1555
Right after I got my '08 SG I started having shifting issues. Turns out it was the shifter. If you look, it runs inside a sleeve on it's way to the transmission. When I took mine apart it was covered in thick, hard grease causing the shifther to bind on up shifts and down shifts. I cleaned it, re-greased it and then drilled the sleeve and put a grease fitting on it. Has worked perfectly ever since. Take a look at yours and see if it's binding.
I have had a problem with my RK not down shifting. I think this could be exactly my problem. The shifter acts like its stuck.
 
  #10  
Old 07-12-2011 | 08:24 AM
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Thanks for all the good advice. Played with it some more last night, went a 1/2 turn on the set screw and it seems to help. Another friend came over and looked it over. He suggested I start using a different oil than the Harley, other posts on here have helped. I'm gonna check out the sleeve issue listed above.
 


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