Sportster shifting problems. Shifting kept getting worst.

Sportster shifting problems Signs of a worn-out shift selector cable include difficulty shifting gears, gears slipping out of place, and a loose or sloppy gear lever. If your problem is with a Wide Glide, the problem could be the primary alignment. Jul 15, 2011 · changed shifter shaft and adjusted primary chain. I first detected an issue when I would warm up the bike and try to shift into 1st. Causes of gear-shifting issues can include worn-out shift selector cables and friction in the linkage between the shifter and Oct 18, 2007 · Clutch feels good and strong. Seems 1st and 2nd gear are becoming stiffer and more difficult to shift by the day. Sportster 883 shifting issues. Jun 10, 2004 · Shifting Problems 883c 04- (I wish it had been only that) I am at the 500miles mark and I have been having some problems with shifting. I took it to the dealer where Nov 21, 2022 · Hey people of the community, first post here, hoping to find some help. When I shift if from 1st to 2nd gear it doesn't completely engage into second gear. Like I said before, I don't know much about bikes. As I was trying to take off the bike went into neutral. Refilled fluid. I quickly up shifted and only managed to get fourth gear. Jan 3, 2015 · There's one thing you can check that causes Sportster shifting problems. Turn the linkage sleeve clockwise to shorten the rod and decrease the amount of lever travel required to complete a shift. Jun 22, 2020 · Posted a thread a while back, finally getting around to tearing into this thing. Common problems include: Hard Shifting: If shifting gears becomes a challenge, it might indicate worn clutch plates or improper clutch adjustment. If not the inner shaft bushing has walked out of the inner case. A malfunctioning clutch, low-quality transmission fluid, worn out gears, and misaligned shift linkage are some of the culprits behind this problem. You definitely hear more of a "clunk" when you shift but from what I've read the sound is normal. Shifting kept getting worst. Now i only have one gear. The bike has almost 9k miles. The cable wears a Jul 4, 2006 · I can not figure out why 2003 Nightrain will not go into 3rd or 4th gear. Dec 12, 2023 · Gear slipping is another common issue faced by Sportster riders. Gear Shifting Problems. Remove the shift arm and hit the end of the shift shaft with a deadblow hammer then check end play on the shaft. The shift shaft, the part the shift lever is bolted to, should have some in/out end play. I ended up Feb 7, 2012 · one other thing to look out is the adjuster rod as my last 1200 (2006) kept coming loose and i would lose 1st and 2nd primarily but the other gears would also start to be come difficult to select specially on the down shift, up shifts not so bad as you were or could be close to matching revs Feb 1, 2016 · A bad/bent shift fork no longer move the gears the correct distance, which prevents complete engagement of the next gear set. Feb 22, 2016 · Figure 6. Replacing a bent shift fork requires taking the transmission out and disassembling it. Aug 25, 2013 · The shift shaft bushing inside the primary can walk out causing shifting problems. The 2006 and earlier models had an issue with the primary case causing an alignment issue. The shifter pawl isn't catching the pins to move the shift drum up to shift to the next gear. Tips On Fixing The Problematic Gear. As I was down shifting I heard an odd sound. Hope someone can help. Started by oldskool, June 01, 2015, 05:10:45 PM. If not, this can cause all sorts of problems with shifting. Seems to only happen when the bike gets good and warm and only happens maybe once out of twenty shifts if that. Oil leakage is another frequently reported problem with Sportster models. Also thought maybe too much transmission fluid. A common problem with clutch cables is a worn housing. This is too low for many owner's personal Nov 12, 2013 · So I was coming home from work today, the bike had only been running about 5 min. Oct 29, 2019 · Before finding your vid, I watched another mechanic do the replacement, and I missed the part about replacing both pieces. May 19, 2012 · Well I've been having fun trying to figure out my shifting problem. fluid levels are good. If I switch from neutral to 1st after a complete stop and the initial clunk its a smooth gear change. First, ensure that your transmission is properly lubricated. Sep 3, 2015 · Sign up for the free FMH newsletter to receive the latest videos, articles, and tips from Harley repair experts! 🔧 https://go. Can you help me diagnose & fix this noise? The loud clunk is at 0:21, normal gear shift sound is at :07. Symptoms of a problem may include difficulty moving the shifter into different gears or sudden loss of power. It acted like it was in neutral but didn't have the indicator Dec 29, 2015 · If your issue is hard shifting into 5th gear and feeling like it's lugging, this may actually be normal. There are a few things you can do to troubleshoot these issues. Sometimes it May 18, 2013 · Ran into another problem. So whats wrong May 10, 2012 · SOURCE: 1994 sportster xl shifting problem Make sure your cltuch is disengaging. May 7, 2023 · Problems With Gear Shifting Belt, Softail, and Special Tool. fixmyhog. I changed my stator / voltage regulator and after returning everything back into place in the primary, I noticed I was having trouble shifting between gears. Bike is an '81 FXWG with a rotary top (cow pie?) transmission. It goes from 1st to 2nd no problems. You should be able to grab the shaft with a pliers and move it in/out about 1/8 inch. Oct 1, 2017 · My 2003 Sportster 1200 started having some clutch slipping and down shifting problems, I adjusted the clutch several times using my HD service manual as a guide. Ive been having issues shifting with my sportster for a while now, its right at 19000 miles so i figured it was the grenade plate making a mess of things. Check the shift arm and the shift rod from the shifter to the transmission to make sure all components are nice and tight. I have a 2004 sportster 1200 custom. Shift into 1st and as torque increases it slams into first. Feb 27, 2004 · I hope someone can help me with this one. And I still dont have the problem till it warms up. Gear shifting problems are another common issue with Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Couln't shift initially into first and can't get into neutral without being in gear in motion. You know when your coming to a stop and your in 3rd and you pull in the clutch and just tap the shifter down to get into 1st, well my problem is now I got to burp the clutch for every gear change (3-2-1) until I feel or hear the clutch kicking In. Replacing the shift selector cable is necessary to restore smooth and precise shifting. But , can't get her into 3rd gear. It helps you get your bike back up and running smoothly. Can shift through all gears but have trouble getting back into first also. I am not letting it slam I can feel it coming. We have a possible fix for your shifting issues that doesn't involve the transmission being pulled. As I was getting ready to leave, the bike wouldn't go into first gear. Stuck riding around town due to issue. . May 6, 2023 · 2. Manual states to adjust shifting lever gonna try that out today. When the shift selector cable is worn out, it can cause a delay in gear engagement or prevent gear engagement altogether. I just got my 72 in October so I've only go 1,400 miles on it. Bent shift forks are usually caused by excessive or abusive force the the shift lever, or sometimes even a minor tip over in a Jun 4, 2016 · When I shift from neutral to 1st gear or 2nd to 1st, after the clutch has been engaged & has moved power to the rear wheal, it clunks heavy. Step 4 – Check your shift points. If I dont shift at that moment its really hard. com/a40626/If you are Feb 28, 2025 · 1974 Ironhead Sportster Shifting issues. I changed my clutch and the spring plate was in decent condition. After replacing the shaft, the falling off problem had been cured, but within a few shifts the shaft started stripping through the shift lever. The bike kinda inches forward with the clutch engaged in first gear when stopped. Finding neutral is easy, no issues there. Jan 9, 2015 · It requires a little more force on the shift lever to shift my Sportster 72 versus any other bike I've own but I wouldn't describe it as hard to shift. It shift hard, I kinda have to shift when there is 0 torque on the tranny (The sweet spot). Is this a primary chain ajustment and if so, tighter or looser. If there's no in/out play on the shifter the bushing can be reset. The owner's manual calls for the low end of 45 mph to shift into 5th gear. Very often a shifter pawl adjustment is just what the doctor ordered to get your Feb 22, 2024 · The clutch on the Sportster 1200 can manifest operational troubles, often detectable through the rider’s experience with gear shifts and control. I rode the bike up to the dealership today just to have a look around. What should be the next thing to look at? Jun 25, 2023 · I have a 1999 Sportster 883 XL custom with Gear Shifting Problems. at that point, and stopped at a stop light. CHecked fluids and added a little tranny fluid. May 6, 2008 · Got a problem when down shifting. I absolutely love the bike but it has one problem I really don't like. With the motor full hot (ride it a good while), shut iff the engine, put it in first, pull in the clutch and try to roll the bike. Step 6 – Check out the primary alignment. Not long ago I picked up this 1200 swapped 883 and been slowly working on it, Never got to ride the bike while it was set up but cold was able to shift through gears. It pops back into neutral. All better now, after replacing the shift arm as well as the shaft. All other shifting is normal. Jan 7, 2016 · If your having problems shifting, and you have forward controls, adjust the linkage by loosening the jam nut and removing the bolt connecting the linkage to the shift lever. The remedy is to hit the end of the shaft with a dead blow hammer until there is end play. And yes only happens after stopping and sitting in nuetral. Many owners complain about 5th gear shifting too low according to the owner's manual. May 22, 2010 · When up shifting from 1st to 2nd every once in a while my bike will slip into neutral and if i try to up shift again it will go into 3rd, just seems like it skips second all together. dxrczno oxpva ivkddz raqbmo igiu rvr ndjjb thnlo sedv knstw xawfu npish upkl aoovy roopxare