I have always hated clutch lever adjustments. So when I had way to much free play on my 2019 heritage I was dreading having to adjust it. Watched your video twice and did the adjustment in less time that it took to watch the video once. What on earth possessed Harley Davidson to come up with something so simple , it’s so out of character for them! Great video thanks!
You just saved my bacon with this video,... I moved the clutch cable to the front... pushed the clips in and had all that freeplay... I needed the second step - so easy - THANK YOU SIR!
FINALLY DOC.... I had been waiting for this video for years.... I have to say, Im a marine diesel mechanic (not your average boat... I mean BIG diesels) and I had seen a lot of cool and unusual things... but this clutch system has to be the best thing a Harley engineer has EVERRRRR invented/designed .... ohhh my freaking God... its practically self adjusted!!!!.................(this made my day) ...Thanks Doc.
my only note to Harley on this... is that it would it be better if it was completely made out of metal and not plastic... i hope that would be an upgrade down the line
thank you! I was having so much trouble finding neutral and felt like an idiot every time I parked my bike. I followed this video and now my clutch is perfectly adjusted.
In theory, this is a good idea. But on my '21 RGS it doesn't work. After compressing the spring fully and ensuring the cable ferrule is properly seated in the clutch perch and the clutch lever is full forward, when I remove the red lock clip and release the spring tension then reinsert the red the red lock clip, I end up with inconsistent clutch lever play. The gap at the clutch perch obtained by pulling on the clutch cable will always be more than the 1/8" max allowable gap (sometimes up to 5/16"). The only way I can get the proper adjustment is to release the spring tension and then manually try to extend the spring further while installing the red lock clip. This new design would've been a whole lot better if the red lock clip was threaded to facilitate "fine" adjustment by rotating it around the threaded end of the cable (kind of like the old school design!!!).
I am having the same issue on my 21 RGS and your comment just helped me solve that i thought i needed to pull the derby cover off and do a adjustment but i did not want to go that far it seems to me that the spring isnt strong enough or the cable needs a major adjustment. After this i might just swap the whole OEM cable for a nut and bolt old school adjuster and braided cables all the way around.
You have no idea, or maybe you do which is why you make these videos, but you just made me feel so much better about my situation! After a long ride my cable lever was loose as heck. I thought I was going to have to take it to a shop. Nope, not at all. After watching this video and 5 minutes in my garage, everything is back to smooth!!!!!
I just followed your instructions and swapped out the HD levers for the 1FINGER fully adjustable levers on my 2021 Softail Standard. Couldn't believe how easy it was. Thanks so much Doc!!!
Doc Harley... That is an awesome way to adjust the clutch cable. I don't like to see plastic but it is what it is. They should have made it out of metal... Thanks for sharing it with us......
Thank you so much for showing me this! I noticed on my ride home that my clutch lever was loose. Yay for me for having the exact bike that you are working on! :D
I took the Mrs’ Heritage out for about an hour yesterday. So much lighter than my Ultra Limited. Even with just the 107, it has a higher power to weight ratio than my 114. Some day I’ll be retired and I’ll be able to do lots of demo rides, too! That Indian seems very similar to a Street Bob, but with smaller bars. Nice little cruiser.
I adjusted the clutch on my 06’ E Glide twice in 12 years and 144K. I only adjusted twice because I didn’t like the way I did it the first time. Mech re installed clutch discs with 140K plus due to lack of wear. However some people can burn a clutch up in under 15K. To each their own
Thanks again doc. You saved me once again. Went to the dealership for an oil change, the clutch was feeling a little different. I asked them to give it a quick check as I'm going in a big ride tomorrow. Get it back, and there's no friction zone. It only grabs in the last 2mm as I release it. I rode it home like that, watched your video, now it's perfect. How could a dealership mess that up so bad? I called and they said "the tech took all the play out of the cable". The clutch felt so tight.
This is a very Kick-Ass piece of engineering. It reminds me of how the shifting linkage adjustment is done on a manual transmission of 2001 VW Beetle. You put this metal pin in a slot on the shifter while it's in neutral, that holds it in place. Under the hood, grab one of the two cables and pull back a fitting and release it. Then you put the shifter in reverse, pin it, and do the same with the other cable. It also happened to be the most impressive thing on the whole car.
That's because he didn't make any adjustment, he just released the clutch cable and then put the tension back on, so the heading should read "how to replace a clutch lever"...
Great Video , I could do the old type with my eyes closed . Then I looked at my new 22 Street Bob and consulted with the shop manual and still really didn’t understand it . Then I thought of Doc ! Thanks again for your great informative Videos !
I find it interesting to do a major clutch adjustment after 5k miles. I believe I heard EVERY 5k, not just the initial. I have ridden 3k mile weekends! I have 40k+ miles on my bike with no apparent adjustment/change in lever pull/Freeplay. I gotta wonder if this scheduled maintenance is for all the fools that don't know how to use a clutch. You know, all the fools that can only pull away by reving the hell out of a long stroke torque monster to pull away from a stop sign. Yeah, this is a dig on many riders. If you ride like this, you are missing the beauty of a Harley; all of that low end torque. Ride safe all, and please ride. We the riders need to promote the activity. Doc, I appreciate your videos, thank you!
Dave Shoemaker If you ride “normal” then you don’t hv to do the major clutch adjustment as often. This “cable” clutch adjustment is just that, to tighten or add play to the CABLE only, not really the clutch. If you do your own maintenance, and change the primary fluid, you can easily just adjust the clutch nut/screw since you will have the derby cover off anyways. I used to do it every time it was off, but realized it really didn’t need any adjustment, so now I do it every other year or two. Also, I would prefer the older metal (two nut) adjustment on the cable vs this plastic and spring version, as you can adjust the cable play more to your liking with the metal version. Just my opinion.
If after doing what you just showed us and the gap is greater than 1/8 inch, would be good to show how to do the fix adjustment under the derby cover. If the cable is OK, after loosening the lock nut, can you do the fix by just turning the adjustment screw (in or out?) slightly without going through the 'feel' process, then having back the screw out slightly? What about adjusting the cable/clutch screw under the derby cover so that the clutch lever friction point can be set where the rider prefers.
I suggest leaving the screw adjustment behind the derby at factory spec. The 3/4 turn out is for expansion at operating temp. Make this smaller than 1/2" the clutch could slip. This doesn't have influence on friction point. Cable construction (Teflaw Inner Sleeve) type oil used in primary. Condition of lever lube points, choice of lever. Ball and ramp release mechanism (OEM vs. Meuler) all influence how a clutch feels. Thanks ~ Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Not sure you explained how to change the friction point on OEM clutch lever operation. The friction point on my FXLR was just back a little from pulling in the lever, but I wanted it further back. As OEM HD clutch levers are still from the last century, I purchased lever with a dial adjustment on top to move the friction point where I want it, not where HD wants it.
Hi Doc, I'm the owner of a new, (to me), 2004 Heritage Softail. It had 11,500 miles on it when I got it... Now, after a month, it's got about 11,800 miles. I know very little about HDs... And the stories are aplenty, about the one I own, in a spectrum of years, that offer failing cam chain tensioners, bad cam bearings, cam and tappet rollers, that are too soft on the surface glaze. Cam plates that either succumb to wear, or the lack of a bronze bushing, that allows crank 'runout,' to simply eat the aluminum plate. Or the runout causes the rotors in the oil pump to strike the inner walls of the pump housing, and destrioy the oil pump, and/ or more of the engine, from metal in the oilflow... On and on, I hear the bad things that are exiting the HD factory... Gone are the days, when a father could offer his son the 'hand-me-down,' car or motorcycle. Gone are the days when an American manufacturer, would stand behind their product, until the original buyer was dead, and maybe even longer! Maybe you're old enough to understand what I mean... I just wanted to thank you, for your excellence in the videos you produce for YT. Yourself, Twin Pro, J&P, Darkhorse, S&S, and others, give great info, tech tips, wrenching advice and more, all free to us less educated in all things mechanical... I told the HD dealership, that I could have went across the street, to the Yamaha dealer, and invested in a jap bike, and never gave it another thought... But I wanted to experience the HD world, that's always been around me, and be a part of the HD family... I was really sad, when I went in and saw, in all the patches, decals, signs and apparel, there was no longer an American flag in the mix... Not a single American flag, in a shop full of Harleys, that were supposed to be an 'American Icon...' I was wondering... Is Harley Davidson still even an American company? Or are they owned by foreign nationals, like Budweiser, or Smithfield Hams?
That's because what he's showing you here is just a temporary fix between service intervals. At each 5K service interval someone has to go in and adjust the clutch plate again. It's not that difficult but still needs to be done.
Doc I'm waiting on parts for a engine rebuild it's coming up too 3 months. What's up Doc with Harley parts? Getting that should have bought a Honda feeling. So what's the hold up? Thanks.
Lubing the cable is more fun but well worth it. You can pull it with one finger afterwards. You'll need a better than Harbor Freight snap ring pliers though. That pesky ring has tiny holes. Make sure to have a spare on hand. If not you'll surely lose it.
You are dam right about that. Lol. Even with a good set of snap ring pliers, the holes are so small, that you are guaranteed to launch them into the same dimension that the mate to your socks end up when the dryer is done. Lol. Get a few extra
my brand new 21 FLHTP has zero slack in the clutch cable. kinda upset about it. I've put a few hundred miles on it and finally decided to check to see if it's supposed to have free play.
Great vid! Does Harley have an upgrade clutch for those of us who do a fair amount of riding in first gear in the “Gray Area” (like police motor training)? I have a 2016 RoadGlide and get stuck in heavy traffic (and yes, I’m a retired motor cop). Keep those vids coming. You are a natural teacher.
May I suggest a Screamin' Eagle variable pressure clutch? It provides smoother clutch disengagement at lower speeds. Use your stock clutch diaphragm. Thanks ~ Doc
I'm waiting 2 months so far for top end engine rebuild under warranty for my 2019 Harley Davidson. Dealership has said there's no E T A or any light at the end of the tunnel blah blah. Why have I waited 2 months going on 3 with no end insight? Don't hide behind the Coronavirus my bike required work done under warranty before the coronavirus popped up. Please please explain Doc, you're in the know. Cheers in advance if you can be bothered explaining to me..
What does your rebuild have anything to do with a clutch adjustment video? Doc is great at supplying videos that help the general riding community. Take your rebuild complaint back to the dealer and/or factory.
Am i the only one who missed the part where he adjust the clutch cable? push red pin, collaps the spring, lock back again the red pin, and go chang/clean your lever, go back to your adjuster and put back again the tension of the spring. aren’t you’re suppose to turn something on the adjuster? the top piece of the adjustor? turn when lock? or when pin is pushed out?
Dave Shoemaker you’re actually right. it’s not a how to adjust your cable. I have the same adjustor and couldn’t find a how to when i was doing my bars but i figured it out.
Doc, the clutch lever on my 2022 Fatboy, appears to be properly adjusted. It’s really hard to push bike with clutch lever pulled in while in gear. Should it be? Is “drag” normal, or should it push the same as if it were in neutral? 3700 miles on bike. Thanks. Great videos.
There will be some drag. Put in gear has the Constant mesh transmission turning all the gears with the rear wheel, belt and front pulley. For an example, bike started in the morning, clutch in, Shift into first- clunk! All gears turning….Doc
Great video as always Doc! Hey, I have a 2005 Roadking...can you just buy a post 2008 clutch cable like the one you show and convert it to fit my bike?
Doc H, great video for servicing clutch lever play. any chance an earlier model Jam-Nut clutch cable could be installed? just an Ol' Dinosaur adjusting clutch play since 2004 on '98 FXDWG/'01 FLSTC/Buell P2 [hey, how'd THAT get in here??]. just prefer "the ol' waya doin' things" if possible. oh yeh, setting clutch plates no worries... just like i always dunnit. thanx. marklewis
Hi Doc! Thanks for another great instructive video. Can I suggest a video topic? Speedometers. Let me explain... I have a 1998 FLSTS Heritage Springer. The trouble is that the speedometer (well, the tacho bit anyway... the digitised/LED bar - y’know, the old-style grey-background LED with the black digital numerals) has been giving me trouble for quite a while now. The black numerals are faded to the point of non-existence. After a half-hour (getting longer all the time) of riding, the numerals gradually start to reappear... not greatly but just about readable. This has been getting worse all the time and taking a longer and longer warm-up to be able to see the numerals. What can be done about this?
Hey Doc! Can you show how to remove the Brake lever? I heard about a small piece underneath it that can be broken if not done properly. Thanks a lot for the good Videos keep it up!
Listen I'm a 55 year old boy from Chicago (but I reject city type life and everyone assumes I'm from the country) oh I started riding a mini bike when I was 4 years old had a sportster at 17 and bla bla bla 7 harleys later I'm a old man and I love to fo the work on my bike but alot of years I was a Union highrise carpenter building concrete forms allday so plenty of guys have worked on my bikes in the Chicago Harley Davidson service dept. and all of them were good mechanics but come on fellas???? Doc Harley is the top dog of all Harley mechanics!!!! No doubt about it!!!! Keep those wrenches swinging DOC!!!! You know your shit!!!!!
I do all of this, step by step and can't get rid of slack play of 1/2 inch. Repeated 50x and still have too much play. Tried pulling cable too and red clip won't snap. PITA!
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Stock bike. 2022 FLFBS. Did it 5k ago using your video w/no problem. Now it won't snug. Question, does the yellow housing turn to adjust, tight or loose?
Hey Doc sorry I’m on an older video. I have a 2011 Dyna Fat Bob. Sometimes it shifts smooth. Other times it takes a bit more push. Is it overfilled with oil? Or something else? Thanks
Great question. Harley-Davidson does not supply this information. This could be a service clinic project with Doc in the future. Thanks for the idea. ~ Doc
My freeplay stays way too much after doing this on my 2018 Street Bob. Stock lever. Can that spring be too soft or what could be the reason? (My dealership doesn’t give a damn about it.)
the spring is supposed to set the "right" gap based in assuming the spring is putting the "right" pressure while is in the unlocked position right before you lock it for good at the final step.... but.... if it is failing you... i will say do yourself the spring function/ help the spring while in the unlocked position, and keep an eye on your gap at the handle, then proceed to lock it once you get the right gap... I am sure you will get it right after couple attempt.
good day Doc! can you tell me how to adjust my clutch cable..lol i just watched your vid on this and not sure if that is what i need, my clutch lever has to come all the way out before it will engage with 1st gear. i would like it to engage with gear when my lever is 1/2 to 3/4 out..(3/4 out would be perfect!) i recently purchased 2019 Road king and is all new to me! road a 08 fat boy and the clutch lever was perfect..can you help? thank you! Pete
Doc - could you do a video on the more major clutch adjustment behind the derby cover? There are video's online for this, but a clear and consise one done by you would be good. Thanks Matt, Essex - United Kingdom
Thanks Doc, I was wondering about this. My 2023 FLH seems to not have enough freeplay, maybe a 1/16. I would like more. It seems to me that the release bearing [throwout] never gets a break, and I would like initial engagement to start to occur closer to the bars. Any way to correct this?
Hey doc quick question. I have my cable disconnected and am adjusting internally via the derby cover. Can I adjust the clutch with the cable disconnected or am I wasting my time doing so?
Sometimes it is difficult installing the cable after adjusting the clutch. It really depends on your dexterity and the slack in the cable with the adjuster at minimum….Doc
I'm sure that that adjustment will be your friend in 10 years! I'm sorry if I sound negative but seeing crap like this reminds me how Harley-Davidson is deviating from what they are about, they're not supposed to be about a cheap easy fix, they're supposed to be a piece of machinery that you can count on for years to come! C'mon Harley-Davidson.....
Out for a ride yesterday and this "great" cable adjuster broke. The metal holding the cable end appears to be die-cast metal. It shattered. I made it home shifting without a clutch. Now the bike is laid up for a couple of days until the replacement part comes in. On the up side, it cost less than 4 buck. Which makes sense as it's a POS...
Unrelated question Doc, but what is the difference between EG 4 speed front ends and EG 5 speed front ends. I'm told that a headlight nacelle/cowl won't fit my '87 EG 5 speed, but my '96 EG 5 speed had the same unit I want for my '87. HELP!!!
Hello and thank you for the video. I have a 2021 Road Glide Special and when I loosen the red clip and compress the spring and snap the red clip back in, it does not hold the spring just pops back up and I cant make adjustments. Any help would be appreciated.
So I just changed my levers on my street glide st. I thought I had to pop the red clip put like you did And then spin the yellow tube to release the slack. But it didn't do it, now I spun it a ton but don't know where it was before, how do I re adjust it correct?
I have reread the instructions. There is not "spinning" Push the red tab out, let the spring push the top cable up. Yes sometimes this needs a little help by pulling on the upper cable. push the red tab in to lock the adjustment. check the clutch lever for correct free play.....Doc
DOC, I really enjoy your videos! A questions about levers and cables. I had the dealership move my handle bars forward some, but now I have to reach over the top to reach my clutch and brake levers, can these be rotated back some so I don't have to reach over the top so much? Thanks for any info.
It depends on your model. RG have pins so not much rotation available. And the older the Harley the more likely some adjustments can be made. Please take your bike back to the dealer and ask...Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Thanks I have 2014 Tri Glide, forgot to mention that. Idea why don't you write a short pamphlet 25, 50 Things You Can Do to Make Your Harley Last Longer. NOTE: This is just the idea, number could be anything or different title. Pictures with your TH-cam links. I would buy it for sure!
It could be as easy as when you installed the new cable the ball and ramp assembly rotated forward. Take the cable out of the lever. Back the cable adjuster back to zero adjustment. Push the inner cable in as far as it will go. You can try to look in the transmission filler hole to see if the end of the cable is all the way back of the cover. Sometimes it helps to back off the adjuster screw at the clutch. If this does not work, you might have the wrong year cable. Thanks ~ Doc
Doc, I have have limited iseage in my left hand due to a stroke and am researching ways to deduce the cluch pul with my left hand l. I have added silicontothe cable already. Is there a way to make it any easier? Thank you for any help that you can offer.
Too many variables to make a suggestion. If anyone is going to ask a question like this, I at least have to know: Year, Model, mileage, any modification, are you new to this bike or have owned it for years, Every service done? By you or dealer? Have you tried a dealer and they can’t repair it? Have you called Harley-Davidson Customer Service? Do you own tools and Service Manual? Thanks ~ Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson 2007 Heritage Classic 30k miles I bought it few months ago. I don't know if previous owner took it to the dealer for service. I just did change engine, transmission & primary oil. I have an appointment with the tune up guy next month.
I did exactly what was shown here in this video to reduce the amount of free play in my lever and once I pushed the red tab back out to allow the spring to pop back out and then pushed the red tab to lock it back in it seems like my free play area got worse. Why?
Darryl depending on the model of bike (like Street Glides and Road Glides with lowers) the upper cable can get hung up. Make sure the lever is in the normal position with the cable IN the clutch perch and try again...(we are talking about a stock cable not with an adapter right?).....Doc
I have always hated clutch lever adjustments. So when I had way to much free play on my 2019 heritage I was dreading having to adjust it. Watched your video twice and did the adjustment in less time that it took to watch the video once. What on earth possessed Harley Davidson to come up with something so simple , it’s so out of character for them! Great video thanks!
You just saved my bacon with this video,... I moved the clutch cable to the front... pushed the clips in and had all that freeplay... I needed the second step - so easy - THANK YOU SIR!
FINALLY DOC.... I had been waiting for this video for years.... I have to say, Im a marine diesel mechanic (not your average boat... I mean BIG diesels) and I had seen a lot of cool and unusual things... but this clutch system has to be the best thing a Harley engineer has EVERRRRR invented/designed .... ohhh my freaking God... its practically self adjusted!!!!.................(this made my day) ...Thanks Doc.
my only note to Harley on this... is that it would it be better if it was completely made out of metal and not plastic... i hope that would be an upgrade down the line
@@ARMASARMY yeah mate and retrofit to fit other models and years
I'm sure there's a back yard mechanic out there somewhere copying this
thank you! I was having so much trouble finding neutral and felt like an idiot every time I parked my bike. I followed this video and now my clutch is perfectly adjusted.
In theory, this is a good idea. But on my '21 RGS it doesn't work. After compressing the spring fully and ensuring the cable ferrule is properly seated in the clutch perch and the clutch lever is full forward, when I remove the red lock clip and release the spring tension then reinsert the red the red lock clip, I end up with inconsistent clutch lever play. The gap at the clutch perch obtained by pulling on the clutch cable will always be more than the 1/8" max allowable gap (sometimes up to 5/16"). The only way I can get the proper adjustment is to release the spring tension and then manually try to extend the spring further while installing the red lock clip. This new design would've been a whole lot better if the red lock clip was threaded to facilitate "fine" adjustment by rotating it around the threaded end of the cable (kind of like the old school design!!!).
I am having the same issue on my 21 RGS and your comment just helped me solve that i thought i needed to pull the derby cover off and do a adjustment but i did not want to go that far it seems to me that the spring isnt strong enough or the cable needs a major adjustment. After this i might just swap the whole OEM cable for a nut and bolt old school adjuster and braided cables all the way around.
This video helped a ton! Had a lot of dead space in my clutch handle, this cleared it right up. Thank you!
You have no idea, or maybe you do which is why you make these videos, but you just made me feel so much better about my situation! After a long ride my cable lever was loose as heck. I thought I was going to have to take it to a shop. Nope, not at all. After watching this video and 5 minutes in my garage, everything is back to smooth!!!!!
Glad I could help….Doc
I always heed the words of the 'Doc'. Great advice given in a very understandable manner 10/10 sir.
Thank you kindly….Doc
I just followed your instructions and swapped out the HD levers for the 1FINGER fully adjustable levers on my 2021 Softail Standard. Couldn't believe how easy it was. Thanks so much Doc!!!
Glad we could help….Doc
Doc Harley... That is an awesome way to adjust the clutch cable. I don't like to see plastic but it is what it is. They should have made it out of metal... Thanks for sharing it with us......
Thank you so much for showing me this! I noticed on my ride home that my clutch lever was loose. Yay for me for having the exact bike that you are working on! :D
I took the Mrs’ Heritage out for about an hour yesterday. So much lighter than my Ultra Limited. Even with just the 107, it has a higher power to weight ratio than my 114. Some day I’ll be retired and I’ll be able to do lots of demo rides, too! That Indian seems very similar to a Street Bob, but with smaller bars. Nice little cruiser.
Wow! This is so much easier than I thought it'd be. Thanks for the video!
I adjusted the clutch on my 06’ E Glide twice in 12 years and 144K. I only adjusted twice because I didn’t like the way I did it the first time. Mech re installed clutch discs with 140K plus due to lack of wear. However some people can burn a clutch up in under 15K. To each their own
03 Lowrider. adjusted the cable twice and have not adjusted the clutch itself. 70,500 on it Yes different riding styles , to each their own
The only think I hate about the clutch cable adjustment on the M8 softail is you can’t set it to personal preference on the lever.
Thanks again doc. You saved me once again. Went to the dealership for an oil change, the clutch was feeling a little different. I asked them to give it a quick check as I'm going in a big ride tomorrow. Get it back, and there's no friction zone. It only grabs in the last 2mm as I release it. I rode it home like that, watched your video, now it's perfect. How could a dealership mess that up so bad? I called and they said "the tech took all the play out of the cable". The clutch felt so tight.
With new technology new learning curve for new techs. Cut him some “slack” 😆
Agreed Doc! That is much quicker/easier than the traditional method. Praise the motor company for continuous improvements.
Thaks Doc. Simplicity itself. I'll have to look for the 5,000 mile adjustment video.
DED1939 John Maxwell has a video on it if you want to check him out
This is a very Kick-Ass piece of engineering. It reminds me of how the shifting linkage adjustment is done on a manual transmission of 2001 VW Beetle. You put this metal pin in a slot on the shifter while it's in neutral, that holds it in place. Under the hood, grab one of the two cables and pull back a fitting and release it. Then you put the shifter in reverse, pin it, and do the same with the other cable. It also happened to be the most impressive thing on the whole car.
Thanks for sharing your history...Doc
ok i watched it many times but I cant figure out how still to remove the slack of my clutch lever cable, I only understand is how to replace the lever
That's because he didn't make any adjustment, he just released the clutch cable and then put the tension back on, so the heading should read "how to replace a clutch lever"...
This is all I did for my clutch cable and it adjusted fine.
Great Video , I could do the old type with my eyes closed . Then I looked at my new 22 Street Bob and consulted with the shop manual and still really didn’t understand it . Then I thought of Doc ! Thanks again for your great informative Videos !
Thanks Old Rover…..Doc
I find it interesting to do a major clutch adjustment after 5k miles. I believe I heard EVERY 5k, not just the initial. I have ridden 3k mile weekends! I have 40k+ miles on my bike with no apparent adjustment/change in lever pull/Freeplay. I gotta wonder if this scheduled maintenance is for all the fools that don't know how to use a clutch. You know, all the fools that can only pull away by reving the hell out of a long stroke torque monster to pull away from a stop sign. Yeah, this is a dig on many riders. If you ride like this, you are missing the beauty of a Harley; all of that low end torque. Ride safe all, and please ride. We the riders need to promote the activity. Doc, I appreciate your videos, thank you!
Dave Shoemaker If you ride “normal” then you don’t hv to do the major clutch adjustment as often. This “cable” clutch adjustment is just that, to tighten or add play to the CABLE only, not really the clutch. If you do your own maintenance, and change the primary fluid, you can easily just adjust the clutch nut/screw since you will have the derby cover off anyways. I used to do it every time it was off, but realized it really didn’t need any adjustment, so now I do it every other year or two. Also, I would prefer the older metal (two nut) adjustment on the cable vs this plastic and spring version, as you can adjust the cable play more to your liking with the metal version. Just my opinion.
If after doing what you just showed us and the gap is greater than 1/8 inch, would be good to show how to do the fix adjustment under the derby cover. If the cable is OK, after loosening the lock nut, can you do the fix by just turning the adjustment screw (in or out?) slightly without going through the 'feel' process, then having back the screw out slightly? What about adjusting the cable/clutch screw under the derby cover so that the clutch lever friction point can be set where the rider prefers.
I suggest leaving the screw adjustment behind the derby at factory spec. The 3/4 turn out is for expansion at operating temp. Make this smaller than 1/2" the clutch could slip. This doesn't have influence on friction point. Cable construction (Teflaw Inner Sleeve) type oil used in primary. Condition of lever lube points, choice of lever. Ball and ramp release mechanism (OEM vs. Meuler) all influence how a clutch feels. Thanks ~ Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Not sure you explained how to change the friction point on OEM clutch lever operation. The friction point on my FXLR was just back a little from pulling in the lever, but I wanted it further back. As OEM HD clutch levers are still from the last century, I purchased lever with a dial adjustment on top to move the friction point where I want it, not where HD wants it.
😂 watching this last night I had too much slack and did exactly what you showed us fixed it perfectly thanks Doc
Hi Doc, I'm the owner of a new, (to me), 2004 Heritage Softail.
It had 11,500 miles on it when I got it... Now, after a month, it's got about 11,800 miles.
I know very little about HDs...
And the stories are aplenty, about the one I own, in a spectrum of years, that offer failing cam chain tensioners, bad cam bearings, cam and tappet rollers, that are too soft on the surface glaze.
Cam plates that either succumb to wear, or the lack of a bronze bushing, that allows crank 'runout,' to simply eat the aluminum plate. Or the runout causes the rotors in the oil pump to strike the inner walls of the pump housing, and destrioy the oil pump, and/ or more of the engine, from metal in the oilflow...
On and on, I hear the bad things that are exiting the HD factory... Gone are the days, when a father could offer his son the 'hand-me-down,' car or motorcycle.
Gone are the days when an American manufacturer, would stand behind their product, until the original buyer was dead, and maybe even longer!
Maybe you're old enough to understand what I mean...
I just wanted to thank you, for your excellence in the videos you produce for YT. Yourself, Twin Pro, J&P, Darkhorse, S&S, and others, give great info, tech tips, wrenching advice and more, all free to us less educated in all things mechanical...
I told the HD dealership, that I could have went across the street, to the Yamaha dealer, and invested in a jap bike, and never gave it another thought...
But I wanted to experience the HD world, that's always been around me, and be a part of the HD family...
I was really sad, when I went in and saw, in all the patches, decals, signs and apparel, there was no longer an American flag in the mix... Not a single American flag, in a shop full of Harleys, that were supposed to be an 'American Icon...'
I was wondering...
Is Harley Davidson still even an American company?
Or are they owned by foreign nationals, like Budweiser, or Smithfield Hams?
Don't let the dealer do it... that'll be a $200 clutch adjustment Lol
That's because what he's showing you here is just a temporary fix between service intervals. At each 5K service interval someone has to go in and adjust the clutch plate again. It's not that difficult but still needs to be done.
Doc I'm waiting on parts for a engine rebuild it's coming up too 3 months.
What's up Doc with Harley parts?
Getting that should have bought a Honda feeling. So what's the hold up?
Thanks.
Lubing the cable is more fun but well worth it. You can pull it with one finger afterwards. You'll need a better than Harbor Freight snap ring pliers though. That pesky ring has tiny holes. Make sure to have a spare on hand. If not you'll surely lose it.
You are dam right about that. Lol. Even with a good set of snap ring pliers, the holes are so small, that you are guaranteed to launch them into the same dimension that the mate to your socks end up when the dryer is done. Lol. Get a few extra
This was very, very helpful! Thank you! 🙏
Glad it was helpful….Doc
Thanks that was easy to do ...great video...
my brand new 21 FLHTP has zero slack in the clutch cable. kinda upset about it. I've put a few hundred miles on it and finally decided to check to see if it's supposed to have free play.
You just saved me SO MUCH time. Thank you.
Thanks for tuning it....Doc
Great vid! Does Harley have an upgrade clutch for those of us who do a fair amount of riding in first gear in the “Gray Area” (like police motor training)? I have a 2016 RoadGlide and get stuck in heavy traffic (and yes, I’m a retired motor cop). Keep those vids coming. You are a natural teacher.
May I suggest a Screamin' Eagle variable pressure clutch? It provides smoother clutch disengagement at lower speeds. Use your stock clutch diaphragm. Thanks ~ Doc
Go with a DP clutch. The feel is a lot better than the Screaming eagle clutch and a lot less money.
I'm waiting 2 months so far for top end engine rebuild under warranty for my 2019 Harley Davidson.
Dealership has said there's no E T A or any light at the end of the tunnel blah blah.
Why have I waited 2 months going on 3 with no end insight?
Don't hide behind the Coronavirus my bike required work done under warranty before the coronavirus popped up.
Please please explain Doc, you're in the know.
Cheers in advance if you can be bothered explaining to me..
What does your rebuild have anything to do with a clutch adjustment video? Doc is great at supplying videos that help the general riding community. Take your rebuild complaint back to the dealer and/or factory.
Great job, Doc. Always enjoy your videos. Keep up the stellar content.
Life saver! Best teacher in the world 👊
Thank you for the kind words...Thank you for watching...Doc
Very helpful video,thanks!!!
Glad it was helpful….Doc
You’re the best!!!
Video was just what I needed to change the clutch lever!!
Glad it helped, thanks for watching...Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson please do a video one how to change the handgrips for an fxlrst
Great video Doc! Does H-D make the M-8 clutch cable for older Harleys? Thank you 🇺🇸
Not at this time…Doc
Am i the only one who missed the part where he adjust the clutch cable? push red pin, collaps the spring, lock back again the red pin, and go chang/clean your lever, go back to your adjuster and put back again the tension of the spring. aren’t you’re suppose to turn something on the adjuster? the top piece of the adjustor? turn when lock? or when pin is pushed out?
Yeah I didn't get it either.. Unless it's some fancy self adjusting deal
I don't have this model, but the point of the video (as I saw it) was to show that it is easy because the spring adjusts the cable housing length.
Dave Shoemaker you’re actually right. it’s not a how to adjust your cable. I have the same adjustor and couldn’t find a how to when i was doing my bars but i figured it out.
wow that was so cool. you are right so much easier. I have been wanting to replace the levers and have been hesitant. cool.
That just answered my question if we can do just that. Which means it is ok to adjust without removing the derby cover.
Doc Harley you saved me again
Do a video on what happens when that plastic part breaks. Throw it away and get the fat baggers adjuster.
Thanks for sharing….Doc
Thanks Doc. Very easy.
You are welcome Dan…Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Doc, could you do a video on the clutch adjustment in the primary if you haven’t already?
Doc, the clutch lever on my 2022 Fatboy, appears to be properly adjusted. It’s really hard to push bike with clutch lever pulled in while in gear. Should it be? Is “drag” normal, or should it push the same as if it were in neutral? 3700 miles on bike. Thanks. Great videos.
There will be some drag. Put in gear has the Constant mesh transmission turning all the gears with the rear wheel, belt and front pulley. For an example, bike started in the morning, clutch in, Shift into first- clunk! All gears turning….Doc
What happens if after performing this procedure, including adjustment of the actual clutch plates ,there is still excessive freeplay?
Something is not right. A bearing might be worn out….Doc
Great video as always Doc! Hey, I have a 2005 Roadking...can you just buy a post 2008 clutch cable like the one you show and convert it to fit my bike?
Might be possible…..Doc
When you try to collapse the spring and it doesn’t stay with the red clip what do you do.
Something is not right…..Doc
Thank You, Sir!
Doc H, great video for servicing clutch lever play. any chance an earlier model Jam-Nut clutch cable could be installed? just an Ol' Dinosaur adjusting clutch play since 2004 on '98 FXDWG/'01 FLSTC/Buell P2 [hey, how'd THAT get in here??]. just prefer "the ol' waya doin' things" if possible. oh yeh, setting clutch plates no worries... just like i always dunnit. thanx. marklewis
Anything is possible, I have not tried…Doc
Where have you been all my life?!!!! Thank you sir! Just subscribed!
Thank you for your support….Doc
Thanks.
Hi Doc!
Thanks for another great instructive video.
Can I suggest a video topic? Speedometers.
Let me explain... I have a 1998 FLSTS Heritage Springer. The trouble is that the speedometer (well, the tacho bit anyway... the digitised/LED bar - y’know, the old-style grey-background LED with the black digital numerals) has been giving me trouble for quite a while now.
The black numerals are faded to the point of non-existence. After a half-hour (getting longer all the time) of riding, the numerals gradually start to reappear... not greatly but just about readable. This has been getting worse all the time and taking a longer and longer warm-up to be able to see the numerals.
What can be done about this?
You are a darn good fella Doc!
I appreciate your time and support….Doc
Thats pretty slick. However, its gonna suck in about 10 years when that plastic clip.gets brittle and snaps the next time it sees a screwdriver
What is the best way to fix your drain plug oils strip
Hey Doc! Can you show how to remove the Brake lever? I heard about a small piece underneath it that can be broken if not done properly. Thanks a lot for the good Videos keep it up!
Wow, that’s a lot nicer than the way I had to do it on my 2009 Heritage. Thanks
Listen I'm a 55 year old boy from Chicago (but I reject city type life and everyone assumes I'm from the country) oh I started riding a mini bike when I was 4 years old had a sportster at 17 and bla bla bla 7 harleys later I'm a old man and I love to fo the work on my bike but alot of years I was a Union highrise carpenter building concrete forms allday so plenty of guys have worked on my bikes in the Chicago Harley Davidson service dept. and all of them were good mechanics but come on fellas???? Doc Harley is the top dog of all Harley mechanics!!!! No doubt about it!!!! Keep those wrenches swinging DOC!!!! You know your shit!!!!!
Carl your words are very kind. There are good Master Techs in the a Windy City and all over America. We keep the Eagle flying. Thanks ~ Doc
I do all of this, step by step and can't get rid of slack play of 1/2 inch. Repeated 50x and still have too much play. Tried pulling cable too and red clip won't snap. PITA!
Any chance you have an extension for taller bars?….Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Stock bike. 2022 FLFBS. Did it 5k ago using your video w/no problem. Now it won't snug. Question, does the yellow housing turn to adjust, tight or loose?
Hey Doc sorry I’m on an older video. I have a 2011 Dyna Fat Bob. Sometimes it shifts smooth. Other times it takes a bit more push. Is it overfilled with oil? Or something else? Thanks
It might be needing lube and readjustment. Or something is starting to come loose🤷♂️…..Doc
Curious how to adjust the friction zone on low rider st I feel it’s so close to all the way to the grip
Harley-Davidson really does not have adjustable directions. Suggest adjustable levers so You can set to your liking….Doc
Any retro fit kits for 16 dynas? Thanks doc 👍
Great question. Harley-Davidson does not supply this information. This could be a service clinic project with Doc in the future. Thanks for the idea. ~ Doc
Now please tell me that will retrofit to evo 1340! Yeah we still ride ‘em!
My freeplay stays way too much after doing this on my 2018 Street Bob. Stock lever. Can that spring be too soft or what could be the reason? (My dealership doesn’t give a damn about it.)
the spring is supposed to set the "right" gap based in assuming the spring is putting the "right" pressure while is in the unlocked position right before you lock it for good at the final step.... but.... if it is failing you... i will say do yourself the spring function/ help the spring while in the unlocked position, and keep an eye on your gap at the handle, then proceed to lock it once you get the right gap... I am sure you will get it right after couple attempt.
Great vid doc..All the best from 🇨🇦 stay safe and well. 🇨🇦/🇺🇸!!!!!!
good day Doc! can you tell me how to adjust my clutch cable..lol i just watched your vid on this and not sure if that is what i need, my clutch lever has to come all the way out before it will engage with 1st gear. i would like it to engage with gear when my lever is 1/2 to 3/4 out..(3/4 out would be perfect!) i recently purchased 2019 Road king and is all new to me! road a 08 fat boy and the clutch lever was perfect..can you help? thank you! Pete
Email me….Doc
Doc - could you do a video on the more major clutch adjustment behind the derby cover? There are video's online for this, but a clear and consise one done by you would be good.
Thanks
Matt, Essex - United Kingdom
th-cam.com/video/IyW6oi6e_U8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=XMLv5netbtFtIvWG
Too easy man thank you
Thanks for watching and posting….Doc
Thats a great design they came out with, but as with all things plastic, its a failure point as it ages.
Hi Doc
I enjoy your very informative videos. Could you do a clutch cable video for a 2021 Road / Street Glide as the cable is hidden on the left side.
Thanks for the request...Doc
Thank you Sir!
Thanks Bruce for tuning in….Doc
Thanks Doc!
Thanks Doc, I was wondering about this. My 2023 FLH seems to not have enough freeplay, maybe a 1/16. I would like more. It seems to me that the release bearing [throwout] never gets a break, and I would like initial engagement to start to occur closer to the bars. Any way to correct this?
Can you adjust your engagement point though that adjustment?
Thats amazing Doc thanks for making it keep safe.
Hi doc, how about a how-to properly adjust the primary chain on a HD sportster, 2011 , xr1200x, too many iffy methods , needs your savvy . Cheers
You are really good that’s why I follow you thank you
Hey Doc should i adjust when engine is cold or hot ?
Thanks for another helpful video
Hey doc quick question. I have my cable disconnected and am adjusting internally via the derby cover. Can I adjust the clutch with the cable disconnected or am I wasting my time doing so?
Cable is disconnected because I’m waiting on parts. (Extension)
Sometimes it is difficult installing the cable after adjusting the clutch. It really depends on your dexterity and the slack in the cable with the adjuster at minimum….Doc
I appreciate the fast reply. I guess we’ll see if I’ll have to remove the derby cover again when my extension comes in.
Bravo Harley, another cheap ass plastic part. Fixing problems that didn't exist. No offense to you Doc.
John Roethel I have to agree. My freeplay stays too big with this adjuster. On the old one you could actually adjust it to whatever you want.
@@rebel_ltz Same issue here. Got so sick of it that I'm replacing it with an older style cable as I do my exhaust.
I'm sure that that adjustment will be your friend in 10 years! I'm sorry if I sound negative but seeing crap like this reminds me how Harley-Davidson is deviating from what they are about, they're not supposed to be about a cheap easy fix, they're supposed to be a piece of machinery that you can count on for years to come! C'mon Harley-Davidson.....
Out for a ride yesterday and this "great" cable adjuster broke. The metal holding the cable end appears to be die-cast metal. It shattered. I made it home shifting without a clutch. Now the bike is laid up for a couple of days until the replacement part comes in. On the up side, it cost less than 4 buck. Which makes sense as it's a POS...
Sorry for your experience...Doc
THANK YOUUUUUU
Thank you, Doc! Bought the manual and your video makes it so clear!
Unrelated question Doc, but what is the difference between EG 4 speed front ends and EG 5 speed front ends. I'm told that a headlight nacelle/cowl won't fit my '87 EG 5 speed, but my '96 EG 5 speed had the same unit I want for my '87. HELP!!!
Hello and thank you for the video. I have a 2021 Road Glide Special and when I loosen the red clip and compress the spring and snap the red clip back in, it does not hold the spring just pops back up and I cant make adjustments. Any help would be appreciated.
Take your bike to your dealer. This should be covered under warrenty.
Thank you Doc
You are very welcome...Doc
Thanks bro, you’re the greatest
Hey Doc. Are you going to do a vid on the 131"?
Hi Doc
Do you do they make a cable like this for years prior ?
NO I do not know of a cable like this for early years....Doc
So I just changed my levers on my street glide st. I thought I had to pop the red clip put like you did And then spin the yellow tube to release the slack. But it didn't do it, now I spun it a ton but don't know where it was before, how do I re adjust it correct?
I have reread the instructions. There is not "spinning" Push the red tab out, let the spring push the top cable up. Yes sometimes this needs a little help by pulling on the upper cable. push the red tab in to lock the adjustment. check the clutch lever for correct free play.....Doc
DOC, I really enjoy your videos! A questions about levers and cables. I had the dealership move my handle bars forward some, but now I have to reach over the top to reach my clutch and brake levers, can these be rotated back some so I don't have to reach over the top so much? Thanks for any info.
It depends on your model. RG have pins so not much rotation available. And the older the Harley the more likely some adjustments can be made. Please take your bike back to the dealer and ask...Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Thanks I have 2014 Tri Glide, forgot to mention that. Idea why don't you write a short pamphlet 25, 50 Things You Can Do to Make Your Harley Last Longer. NOTE: This is just the idea, number could be anything or different title. Pictures with your TH-cam links. I would buy it for sure!
Doc, how to remove and replace the cable?
Thats not an adjustment. That is just disengagement to replace levers
That’s not JUST an adjustment, I could replace my lever too. Good call rtkl13. We thank you for your Positve contribution to this video…..Doc
Installed a longer clutch cable and ape hangers. Tried everything to get some slack to connect the lever , but barely any slack. What am I missing?
It could be as easy as when you installed the new cable the ball and ramp assembly rotated forward. Take the cable out of the lever. Back the cable adjuster back to zero adjustment. Push the inner cable in as far as it will go. You can try to look in the transmission filler hole to see if the end of the cable is all the way back of the cover. Sometimes it helps to back off the adjuster screw at the clutch. If this does not work, you might have the wrong year cable. Thanks ~ Doc
Doc, I have have limited iseage in my left hand due to a stroke and am researching ways to deduce the cluch pul with my left hand l. I have added silicontothe cable already. Is there a way to make it any easier? Thank you for any help that you can offer.
Not knowing the model or year, I suggest a Mueller ball and ramp assembly and an adjustable lever...Doc
Hi Doc,
Each time I shift gears. It sounds like I hammering a nail. Secondly, I cannot find neutral while parking. What needs to fixed?
Thanks.
Too many variables to make a suggestion. If anyone is going to ask a question like this, I at least have to know: Year, Model, mileage, any modification, are you new to this bike or have owned it for years, Every service done? By you or dealer? Have you tried a dealer and they can’t repair it? Have you called Harley-Davidson Customer Service? Do you own tools and Service Manual? Thanks ~ Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson
2007 Heritage Classic
30k miles
I bought it few months ago. I don't know if previous owner took it to the dealer for service. I just did change engine, transmission & primary oil. I have an appointment with the tune up guy next month.
I did exactly what was shown here in this video to reduce the amount of free play in my lever and once I pushed the red tab back out to allow the spring to pop back out and then pushed the red tab to lock it back in it seems like my free play area got worse. Why?
Darryl depending on the model of bike (like Street Glides and Road Glides with lowers) the upper cable can get hung up. Make sure the lever is in the normal position with the cable IN the clutch perch and try again...(we are talking about a stock cable not with an adapter right?).....Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson yes it is a stock cable on a 2021 Road King special! No lowers!