Mechanical 02 xl883

[Brigg]

Need some advice on the clutch, noticed that the lever is so stiff as to be uncomfortable to engage first and second gear, after third, fourth and fith are relatively smooth and easy with little travel neeeded to engage the gears.

But first and second are real pigs...

Any ideas why the action should be so stiff...?

[spinlondon]

Cable needs lubricating?

[grbrown]

Originally Posted by spinlondon

Cable needs lubricating?

Also check and lubricate handlebar pivot and cable nipple. Seems odd it affects lower gears only! Which Sportster from your fleet is doing this?!

[daverix]

I may be wrong but it reads to me like he means the gear lever is stiff. Like it would be if the clutch wasn't completely disengaging.

[Brigg]

Originally Posted by grbrown

Also check and lubricate handlebar pivot and cable nipple. Seems odd it affects lower gears only! Which Sportster from your fleet is doing this?!

My Fleet.... Its the 02 XL883 I though I may had twisted the cable when I removed the assembly when fitting the engine bars... I've taken it off (the lever assy) and let it sort of find its natural line of least resistance and refitted... but the lever is so bloody stiff...

Kev

[Father Jack]

The way I'm reading it is that you have to pull the clutch lever in further to engage the lower gears and this is meeting extra resistance.

In that case I would try lubing the cable, or failing that, changing it for a new one. At the same time adjust the clutch and check the primary chain tension.

You might also consider an m6 (Hayden) primary chain tensioner and/or a clutchlite system to ease the clutch operation.

[Brigg]

Originally Posted by Bilbo

The way I'm reading it is that you have to pull the clutch lever in further to engage the lower gears and this is meeting extra resistance.

In that case I would try lubing the cable, or failing that, changing it for a new one. At the same time adjust the clutch and check the primary chain tension.

You might also consider an m6 (Hayden) primary chain tensioner and/or a clutchlite system to ease the clutch operation.

Cheers Bilbo, The consensus seems to be lube the cable, so thats my first line of attack... Then (hopefully not) the more expensive options

[grbrown]

Originally Posted by Bilbo

You might also consider an m6 (Hayden) primary chain tensioner and/or a clutchlite system to ease the clutch operation.

Got both of those on my Glide, but while they are great things in their own right, they won't fix a problem like Briggs has. He needs to sort his problem first.

The M6 improves gear change and generally provides smooth running, which is a treat. I fitted a Clutchlite because I also have a heavy clutch spring to deal with my S&S 107's torque! It has restored lever effort to what it was before fitting the clutch spring.

[Brigg]

Thanks all....

[BaZa®]

From a mate of mine and I do this............