Clutch adjustment for 64 sportster....

[the_french_owl]

That's what the factory OEM manual says about the clutch:

Check all 6 springs, should be 1" 5/8 free lenght. I personnally run the XR springs.

Install plates etc..., tighten nuts till the inside face of the retainer plate they sit on is 3/16" away from top flange of spring cups. Then, I personnaly check the plate release straight, not at an angle, and adjust each nut accordingly until it frees straight.

Then do the cable and adjust the worm as per previous post...

Patrick

[andypandy]

Hi Patrick, I have stripped it down and started again....It still refuses to work. My springs are 1/8 of an inch shorter than you say they should be, so I am going to get some new ones ( will that really make much of a difference?) The cable is a new one and so are the friction plates. Should I replace both sets of plates ? The thing that gets me is it worked before I took it apart even though there was no meat left on the plates!...Andy

[the_french_owl]

I'm running out of ideas, Andy!!!

Have you got the thick pressure plate on the back of the hub, a toothless one with a slight raised edge to it that should face outward?

You need it cause that's the only thing that keeps the driver/driven plates from bending under the springs pressure...

Dry clutches are fussy about their springs... New ones should make a huge difference in feel and traction. Don't think sideways and think "stronger is better" and fit Shovel springs, they won't work... Worn out discs will not have the right total thickness for the OEM springs to work right.

Patrick

[andypandy]

Ok Patrick will strip it down again and check the 1st plate is in the right way round. Where can I get a set of new springs from with out having to wait too long ? ....thanks for all your help by the way...this is the only thing standing in my way of the MOT station....and the open road . I want to get it running for the americana in July...Andy

[the_french_owl]

I think JW Boon in Holland should have them, part # 38076-52.

Patrick

[Limey_Dave]

Jan Willem Boon - Obsolete New Old Stock parts for your Harley-Davidson motorcycle and American made replacement parts

He only does Visa.
You can phone him to order,he's a nice guy.

Just put your part number in the box and hit search.

[panheadpete]

Can confirm that springs will cause the probs you describe; on my Pan they were close to correct length but had lost their temper - as did I . No matter how I adjusted the clutch it would either slip or drag 'cos the springs had to be wound in so tight to prevent slip that the clutch wouldn't release completely.
Cheers, Pete.

[andypandy]

That sounds like the problem I am having . The springs are 1/8th of an inch shorter than patrick says they should be....the thing just won't work properly.I can take some parts of the other ironhead thats off rhe road and see if they make a difference....its worth a try whilst I wait for some new springs....I don't have a visa card so will have to ring Will Burrows and see if he can get some from Custom Chrome, He hates iron heads so he will be... tickled pink....Andy