How To Quickly Adjust Your Sportster's Clutch

[@JS-xp9ww]

Ive done this procedure on multiple bikes but still wanted a quick vid before doing it on this bike, thanks for the no nonsense aproach

[@TheHarleyTech]

Great video! I like the Barnett clutches. I put a screamin eagle one in mine when the spring plate exploded, but both are great choices. I usually suggest people get their clutch adjusted 500 to 1000 miles after it’s replaced. For my customers its more of a convenience time frame for them. Since you do it yourself, just whenever! Keep up the good work, man!

[@whotfisdiesel]

Bro I been stressing ever since my mechanic told me I needed to adjust the clutch and I can do it myself, this video came very much in handy thank you.

[@cynthiamartinez3290]

Hi, I live in Texas and I’m a woman who’s new to riding, your videos have helped me out!

[@BigJay5150]

Thanks for the video. I have done this 6 times but I always like to watch the video just to make sure

[@Sergioflores1992]

Dude you’re awesome! Fixed my bike and had that bad boy back on the road in no time. Damn I missed the road! Thanks again bud really helped

[@nicholasleewood]

Thank you Dan. I was freaking out before I saw your video. Now im gonna attempt to fix myself.

[@michaelsmith1094]

Thanks for spesking clearly and keeping things simple.Wish everybody did it like that.

[@forrestbarnard7158]

Kiss Keep it simple stupid

[@dakotayamka5325]

So I have a metric wrench set and not a standard and I found that it’s a 14 for the top nut and a 13 for the bottom bar on the actual clutch cable. Just for those of you in my situation. Keep up the good work brother.

[@Chris-0113]

They're standard, not metric. You're basically suggesting people use the wrong size wrenches.

[@ONEDVSDVIT]

Halfway helpful, torque bit size would of been excellent

[@dakotayamka5325]

@@Chris-0113 my metric harbor freight wrenches worked just fine

[@ncognito76]

For not being mechanically inclined you seem to have it under control! I’m working on a Buell and it’s impossible to find good vids on them but I will find sporty vids so thank you!

[@pedroalonzo7589]

I was having problem with a leak and it ended up being a gasket from my Derby cover It was hard to get that thing to sit down right Where there was no more oil Leak when I finally got it on there I guess I had moved The adjustment on the clutch cable I'm glad I saw this video cuz if not I've been messing with those adjusters for days Thanks for the video

[@Chads3283]

I messed with the cable a little bit last night. It seems to be back right now. Thanks for the help bro. I was just kinda dreading pulling the derby cover off. That lil gasket was a pain the last time I had it all apart to change the starter lol

[@tomgarrett687]

There should be dowel pins to hold the gasket in place. And if it's sagging at another place, put a dab of grease behind the gasket to act like glue...

[@monsterzero1587]

@@tomgarrett687 Yes! I use a dab of grease to make the rubber gasket ring stay in place too! Works like a charm.

[@barrysidden1469]

Thank you sir, went way better than I thought it would. Thanks again

[@johnwerner6794]

Thank you brother definitely help me out I have a 2008 Harley Davidson Sportster and I need to do the clutch this will definitely help

[@jmac86motovlog]

Hey man I'm new to your channel and i like your videos! I ride a sportster as well. Keep the vides coming

[@jamespeters5913]

thank you for explaining the clutch adjustment!!

[@danerocks6693]

Thanks for this, you just saved me a trip to Haley and about $50 🤘🏼

[@pavelyefanov7480]

thanks guy I just fixed my clutch with the help of your video

[@KimS5690]

Thanks Dan Dan the fireman, I think I can figure it out now thanks bro

[@terryscott8973]

Fantastic video my friend my clutch is grinding before it goes into gear its 1994 1200 sports hopefully all need is adjusted .

[@denisdemidovitch6897]

Barnett spring are great!

[@joetroutt7425]

I have an '03 sporty and I recently changed the clutch cable for taller bars and now as I ride every so often (usually when riding after warming the bike up) that the clutch feels like it slips in first gear. Like I'm taking off and it mimics pulling in and letting the clutch lever out really quick. I'm thinking it could be that set screw is not tight enough. I may have backed it off too much.

[@Buhassanali]

I saw in one video you need to have the bike straight while adjusting the clutch , what do you think ?

[@bullhead360]

How often should you do this?

[@WhooliganK]

Very to the point and great to learn. Thank you

[@berndaugustin6588]

Hey man helpful video i did hut the gears won't pump in,and now i can't loosen the screw anymore..

[@stevencosby2389]

Thanks for the help. I'm too poor to pay $90.00 an hour for the harley dealer to adjust my clutch

[@renerodriguez6300]

Last time i was there it went up to 150 and hour fuk.that stealership service charge you for everything and sell their bikes expensive no wonder them Japanese bikes are beating em on prices.... Yes they were the first to build a bike but that's it people don't wanna spend the money for a money pit bike

[@a-yates]

​@@renerodriguez6300 it's been 3 years pretty sure it's 200an hour now smh

[@ScottD-u9o]

@@renerodriguez6300

[@ScottD-u9o]

I thought sales dropped because lacking US citizens that want to back America

[@crazyeyez1502]

Great video. This is something that I need to try on my 09 883 this winter. 33k miles, and the clutch feels like it might be slipping a bit. Hopefully an adjustment helps, at least for now. Don't really want to buy a new clutch.

[@lukesimms3668]

Did you end up adjusting it ? How did you go ? I'm about to do my sportster aswell, mines starting to slip abit

[@crazyeyez1502]

@@lukesimms3668 not yet. Work's just getting over the holiday rush, waiting on things to quiet down and i have time to.

[@crazyeyez1502]

Finally got around to doing my oil change, so i was able to pop the derby cover off. I have the factory forward controls, and didnt need to remove them. Got maybe a little more then a half turn out of the screw, before backing it off the quarter turn. I'm sitting on the garage floor as i write this, so I'll let yall know how the bike goes when done. (Yes, i pulled this up to rewatch as i do it.)

[@sammy60164]

For the Barnett clutch plate kit, says do 1/2 turn in the instructions. What's really the difference if you do a 1/2 or 1/4 turn back?

[@nicholasjoel8965]

Thank you for sharing this vital information and making a Fantastic video tutorial! Ride safe brotha \m/ Best Regards. Nicki J.C

[@platinumgrit]

Dude you are a such a help thanks for this vid.

[@flughauf7107]

Wow what a nonsense just to adjust the clutch! Anyway great video man 👍

[@pineapplepissant]

I didn’t have to take the peg off. Just used a socket wrench with star bit in it. Thanks

[@gustavovazquez3052]

Just did,thanks !

[@denisdemidovitch6897]

Good video. But I actually thing you adjusting the clutch lever by the nuts on the cable, and undue the derby cover you actually adjusting the load on the bearings. So to speak

[@mrkoolaid8728]

That's for the video helped a lot and was nice and simple

[@AfterBurn65]

The one thing I’m not seeing on any video is whether or not the bike is supposed to be in gear or in neutral?

[@cedler426]

Neutral!

[@Dem3ntedMonkey]

Thanks for the video! Quick question, when I took the derby plate off, some oil leaked out. Is that just the standard oil that would be changed during an oil change, or is it some special clutch specific oil?

[@TheAaronCheatham]

That's your primary/ transmission oil. Though, it is the same 20w50 oil that you run in the engine.

[@declanpatterson8165]

What tyres you running on the Sportster? They look decent and want a similar look?

[@lynette5382]

I got clutch cable for my 2000 Harley sportster xl1200 said was 52 3/4 inches even tho I kept measuring 55 old cable on bike but Harley n Google said otherwise got new cable the 52 3/4 it's shorter than original so we still got it to fit but had to run it above foot pedal instead under all connected but when try to put in 1st it makes crazy sound from the circle primary cover we have adjusted few times n still same issue what did we might have done wrong

[@markman63]

Do you know what cause the clutch play to vary with every pull? Clutch does not slip, cable is fine, adjusted the clutch and now every couple of gear shifts the play gets looser or tighter randomly.

[@JonathanThornton-Wood]

Are you suppose to drain the oil first I tried to adjust mine last night and now it won’t drive it goes into first gear and now I can’t move

[@orlandominichiello]

Does this actually help with the Harley clunk, some like the clunk not me.

[@Buhassanali]

Thanks Bro , helped me a lot

[@DM2006800]

Thanks for the video. Be safe!

[@WashingWizard10]

Good refference video for a sporty

[@paulwojnar2291]

I high recommend the Barnett clutch so you can throw that riveted piece of crap friction plate Harley puts in the OEM clutch pack. Stay with the stock clutch spring though. The Barnett heavy duty spring is for drag racing. The stock aluminum cluctch basket will not handle it and will break the the end tabs off.

[@renerodriguez6300]

Can u adjust fr.the lever and cable adjustment....? Sorry don't see many vids on Sportster and I don't own original had manual

[@melbek1020]

Good info brother thank you

[@cesararbelaez4695]

Can you give me , some information and the tires size please . Thanks

[@Caramotopage]

Tried adjusting my clutch on my sportster and suddenly lost my speedometer. Is that connected in anyway?

[@cesararbelaez4695]

Body . Where do you get that tires ???

[@kcav5374]

Bought a 1992 Sporty 883 early this year and I noticed the clutch 'friction zone' is way out at the end of the throw of the clutch lever, just want info on attempting this myself, Thanx

[@RidinCountry]

Just had to replace everything in primary due to clutch hub teeth (tooth) breaking!! Change that factory auto tensioner peeps!! ✌️

[@gregoriojuarez1579]

Thank you so much! Gosh I love this channel! I have a question, my iron just reached 1,00. I'm debating to do the first service myself, will I need to do anything to the belt?

[@joetroutt7425]

Yes, put another hole in it if you've lost weight.

[@patricia2645]

Hey Dan thanks for the video! By the way, your beard, now, makes you much more handsome, not that it was bad before

[@ce7851]

Thank you for your video.

[@squishbolmaxdrunkii9956]

Very nice. Thanks a lot! 👊🏻😎

[@moegotti5046]

I changed my bars and the clutch cable .. my bike is reving big time but the acceleration is hesitant can it be needing adjustment?

[@Duzk3431]

Im having problems right now with my sportster, it is just way too stiff. Im still trying to find the sweet spot.

[@AudioArcturia]

I'm currently having this issue. Did you figure out a solution?

[@carlosarvayo20]

Anything?

[@AudioArcturia]

@@carlosarvayo20 Not on my end, no. Just gonna take it to my dealership for my 15k mile service and ask them to do it.

[@troysmith7609]

Thank you bro!!

[@IVAN3049]

Thanks a lot for your Videos Dan. I have a question I just purchased a 2016 iron 883. When turn it on it feels like it wants to launch forward. I heard that I have to readjust the clutch. Any good advice?

[@MannyFBaby]

Make sure it’s in neutral

[@RPR-bh5kc]

Clutch cable should have the width of a nickle of play at the lever then its properly adjusted 🍻

[@lukskywalker834]

Thanks bro

[@victorherreraguzman5014]

Dan. then if I'm at a stop light, and I can't shift to Neutral, I have to place or take off tension from the cluth cable?

[@Chads3283]

Any answers??

[@victorherreraguzman5014]

@@Chads3283 Yes man. The tension from the cable is or too high or too low. Try to caliper through trial and error until this locks in automatically. What I used to do with my bike was placing 1st gear, hold clutch and move slightly the bike with my feet back and forth while trying to make the change to N. It did work, but needs a lot of patience and practice to adapt to it.

[@Chads3283]

I have about 1/8 inch Gap and my shifter lever. Any looser it would seem to me that it would get worse.? But I can rev it up and shift into neutral just fine. So I'm thinking I need to take the cover off.??

[@victorherreraguzman5014]

@@Chads3283 just by the way you say it I wouldn't know. My bike was a generic bike here in Mexico but the mechanism isn't so far away different than a Harley; I remember that I did a lot of research on KZbin that time. I don't have my bike anymore bro

[@dougrandall153]

Dad Dan my adjustment screw fell do I have to pull the hole cover off now 😤 stranded

[@my95buick]

Pre-beard Dan!

[@little_mike13]

Thank you sir

[@KimS5690]

I got the clutch adjustment screw out of adjustment on my 03 sportster now it’s too tight , can anyone help me get it back to normal???? Please

[@funguseater40]

Dan, that thing you called a setscrew is called a Locknut 😁

[@JIMBOBALOU]

It's actually called a jam nut lol

[@GregErnst-lu3gx]

hey you forgot to reset the ballbearing ramp before adjusting the cable - by squeezing clutch lever 3 times.

[@ryanhubbard4695]

I lost that spring plate nut you remove at about 1:10 while working on my clutch on the side of the road. How do I find one of these guys?

[@BlackMountainCycles]

Local dealership can order you one if you haven’t figured that out yet lol

[@hansonjustin7909]

" I'm not mechanically inclined thats why I'm doing this to help you guys out" lmao sorry no offense thats a little contradicting but great video 👍

[@oh_marrr3088]

Hey, I am having some issues I just bought my first cruiser it’s a 2002 Sportster 883 XLH. The other day I was at a stop light and when I shifted into first it was a very noticeable clunk louder than usual. At the next stop light same thing happened, then my bike died on me mid traffic and then it wouldn’t shift into 1st or 2nd it would make a grinding noice. Then I kicked it into gear and let me drive a little until it died again. The I put it into 3rd gear and that’s how i was able to ride home but it won’t even start in neutral or anything right now. Any possible ideas as in what it could be ?? I’m going to be adjusting the clutch today and I already ordered a new clutch kit for it. I just want ease of mind nothing serious is wrong.

[@joetroutt7425]

Sounds like the motor blew up. JK 😁 sounds like the clutch bit the dust.

[@GaryLordsWayMinistry]

Whatever you do, not not leave that cable hanging down, under the bike frame, as this man has done please.

[@joetroutt7425]

Hopefully he zip tied it later

[@willsanctuary6626]

Will this make the gear change less clunky on a sportster?

[@joetroutt7425]

No

[@dwillinghammer]

I’m having a problem with my 2004 sportster. I just installed mid controls on it, i bought it with forward controls. Not when I go to shift it grinds in almost every gear no matter how far I pull the clutch in, but it doesn’t seem like the clutch lever is too loose. Not sure what to do.

[@Mathaury]

You have to have adjust your clutch first. And when you shift gears, do it slowly : throttle off; pull the clutch lever; shift; let go the clutch lever and go on the throttle :)

[@dwillinghammer]

One Bike Man yea I figured out I was shifting a little too quickly for a Harley. My other bike is a 1980 Suzuki GS550L and it’s just a completely different animal that you can shift as fast as you want. Love both of these bikes and I’m learning how much different you need to ride them

[@Mathaury]

Drew Willingham I did the same mistake as you, I only had japanese bikes before and a Harley is completely different to ride ;)

[@monkeking4357]

The seal around my derby cover came off and now it won’t go back on

[@clintbenson6138]

So when opening the derby cover will the transmission fluid empty?

[@GaryLordsWayMinistry]

I would say so only if it is a dry clutch arrangement. Most have 70 to 90 weight oil in them. Some in warmer temp, use a heavier weight oil as well. I think most Sportster's are about 28 oz. of gear oil in them check your owners manual and get one if you do not have one already. Also get a parts number manual as well.

[@joetroutt7425]

If you keep the bike upright or slightly tilted to the opposite side very little should come out.

[@vector6977]

shouldn't there be 3 ball bearings?

[@debrawarren4252]

vector6977 yes there should.

[@relinquishedforever8505]

The old grenade clutch

[@cameronpiper877]

There’s 3 ball bearings in there. Maybe find the third one and that’s gunna help

[@thecentralscrutinizer5105]

what if one does not have a derby cover??? I have a fake one (89 XLH1200)

[@MannyFBaby]

I have the same year. There’s a little cover with a chevy like symbol. You need a tool wide enough to go in there and losen up the small derby cover. To adjust it is in there

[@thecentralscrutinizer5105]

@@MannyFBaby yup, found this a while back, still appreciate the assist ~Whirled Peas

[@TBONESIDEOFLIFE]

get it done correct the first time?

[@TBONESIDEOFLIFE]

cool, after the first 1000 miles you may be adjusting it just a little bit and that should do ya. they are tough clutches. be safe and keep us up to date if good or bad happens with these add-ons or repairs. it's how we learn and make it count for fun safe riding. PEACE!!👍👍👍👍👍😎✌✌✌✌✌ ~T.bone~

[@ONANDOFFDIRTROADS]

My 2018 xl1200 custom clutch is really hard to pull down would this be what I need to do cause I’ve done everything but adjust the thing inside the durby cover no joke things like 15-20 pound of pressure to pull in so it’s miserable at a light plz advice

[@GaryLordsWayMinistry]

It is not a spring plate it is called a damper plate. Inside the plate for the adjuster there are three ball bearings not two.

[@maysammemon9838]

How to Cheng clutch cable and how buying clutch Cable

[@jonathanmurray1863]

Easy peaay like taken a pee never forget

[@tonyfinkernagel137]

3rd time unlucky, is there any one give a hand, on derby adjustment, would $$$ handsomely, Tony.. Nowra

[@novakoski1976]

You should go back to these maintenance videos.

[@mrfrontosafrontosa6708]

How did it blow up

[@XenaTheQuadCamBikah]

Stock sportsters have one plate in there with rivets on it that have been known to break loose.

[@bigblue3568]

Cable hangs pretty low..

[@dylansumner5644]

Clutch won’t engage. Followed directions verbatim, can’t hold the clutch and roll the bike in 1st.

[@Rjlyph]

Take your gloves off

[@charlescockley7610]

Quit taking up all the sportswriter videos

[@DanDanTheFireman]

Sportswriter?

[@johnleonard8224]

- No the (2) Balls will not Fall Out . - The 2nd Nut on the Cable is Called a Lock Nut

[@rossneyman7781]

first

[@miketrevino8761]

3 ball bearings not 2

[@frankcastle5294]

This is wrong beyond words and hoping nobody actually follows your advice. Unreal.

[@KingThor-ii9rg]

terrible video