How to Adjust Harley-Davidson Clutch Cable by J&P Cycles

[@bm7760]

Wee tip. The rubber cover over the adjuster has a habit of retaining water and corroding. When you've finished adjusting, just smear a little grease on the threads.

[@user-qm7tf1cc7j]

for a first time owner of pre owned hd your videos are perfect not to slow not to fast and very explanatory and informative thank you for your videos,very helpful!

[@EamonnSeoigh]

Great vid. Something I think about is a pass-through socket set. Bostitch makes one. You can put a socket on the clutch lock-nut and, with the pass through, let’s you hold the adjuster screw in position through the socket while you torque down the lock-nut. I got a little tired of having the 11/16 open end rounding off the nut when the wrench slips off the nut, banging on the chrome (like it did in this vid), while loosening and tightening. I found this pass-through kit useful when dealing with buried adjusters and locknuts on other applications.

[@michaelslawinski6449]

No need since it will not rotate

[@EamonnSeoigh]

@@michaelslawinski6449both the adjuster and the lock nut rotate. What are you referring to?

[@michaelslawinski6449]

@@EamonnSeoigh no need to hold the adjustment bolt when locking / applying torque to the nut. The adjustment bolt is not going to move. No need for special tools. Just allen key and wrench. Done

[@EarlGuyton425]

You made this to show accurate clutch adjustment and showed it to be so simple. I have seen videos that make this procedure of just the clutch hub screw and cable adjustment to seem like this major complex timely procedure. If a person knows what they are doing they can do this in 20 minutes just like I did in my driveway as I sipped on my cup of coffee back and forth. To make any job easier HAVE THE TOOLS READY YOU NEED, I leared this the hard way decades ago

[@spulamander]

Thank you for making a video that gets right to the point instead of first giving the history about clutches.

[@jonathonkrueck4028]

I watched several in the row, this is the best one of them.

[@jasimalraeesi3068]

After watching this video, i did it by my self and it took max 15 min to fix. Thank you so much 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@TheTrtrapper]

Great video ,some don't get close enough, some are not good at explaining the process, but you did a great job, thank you

[@roberttomlin2750]

best video I've seen on adjusting the clutch.

[@jackiewilliams7210]

Great,you speak gently not loud makes it pleasant thank you!

[@DeadManRiding714]

Thanks! This video saved me. I was stuck on the side of the road.

[@randydesrochers2884]

All things being equal and the clutch lever is adjusted properly, I like my clutch to engage almost right away when I release the lever. Would I turn the allen head out more than 1/2 turn or slightly less than 1/2 turn? Take into consideration that I don't want creep when it's cold but at the same time I don't want to make it hard to hit neutral when it cold either.

[@dan3510]

Thank you for taking the time to make this. Helped me out a lot doing it for the first time

[@gregmatthews2956]

Watched video once through. Now my clutch works great. Tnks

[@wapartist]

Only video ive seen to clarify exactly what the slack means and where to measure it. Thank you! Ive heard of people doing it by holding the cable to get that 1/8-1/16". I have probably been running mine not fully engaged

[@Jackapoo1]

Outstanding video as usual by this channel. Incredibly informative, simple to understand, and no annoying background music👍👍👍👍

[@Skaywhat]

Added bars to my new RGL. Replaced the clutch cable with the plastic spring adjuster to older style clutch cable with locknut. May be old video but it is still good. Thx

[@thesillybilly]

The by far no doubt in my mind the easiest to the point perfect tutorial on KZbin. Thank you for taking the time to do this video. Any tips on how to soften the pull of the clutch. Maybe how to lube the cable?

[@Jtdubbzz]

Awesome… the 9/16 primary bolt just stripped while trying to do this 🤦🏼‍♂️ I give up

[@morkbov]

Professionally, well made videos, every time. I love your channel. Keep on the good work.

[@nic.lowther.7]

Very helpful and easy to understand. Thanks! Worked perfectly to get clutch feeling good again.

[@robertbeaulieu8721]

Even if one is not mechanically inclined this video makes it easy to do . Thanks

[@keithevans3676]

Perfect 10:10 from the South Coast of England - thank you very much! Keith

[@dashriprok5852]

Thanks ,JON Parham ,legend thanks fer keepin riding fer 40 years. RIP my friend.

[@donpet8258]

I have a OEM service Manuel. But your awesome info is way better and easier.!!! Thanks so much !

[@michaelsteinrok3002]

Very clear instructions and very helpful. Thank you!

[@chaytonchung3905]

1/2 to full turn, which gets the clutch engaging closer to the bars ??

[@raymondpontremoli4500]

I sure hope you can help me....I have the dreaded "won't go in neutral when hot" problem. I installed the Barnett extra clutch pack. I did everything in and according to spec. Soaked the clutch plates for 2 days, installed it, adjusted the throw out as per Harley spec and then adjusted the clutch cable. Bike shifts like butter hot or cold.....bike falls into neutral cold but, when its hot there is no finding neutral. The shift lever is locked into first gear and I mean locked....I tried bumping the throttle, and rocking the bike and it works 2 out of 5 times....I have tried ever combination of 1/4-1/2-/3/4 and a full turn out with no success. I've also tried the same turns inward...no success...I've tried different primary fluids....and wasted a bunch of money, didn't work....I have checked all the linkage....I put new bushings in the shifter rod and we as far as drilling the cast housing and installed a zerk fitting so I could pump it with grease....I've replace both shift levers, the one on the transmission shaft and the one that is on the back side of the primary up front...My linkage has no shake, wobble and is a smooth as frigging glass.....I read that the Harley Automatic Primary Chain Tensioner could possibly be tightening the primary chain too much and causing this problem. I've checked the shifter pawl adjustment...and it moves the same distance forward as it does to the rear. It was never adjusted and is still at the setting that Harley set it at in the beginning....So, what in God's name did I miss..???? Im racking my brain here trying to figure this out. When I bought the bike it went into neutral like butter....Now you need a crow bar to get neutral when its hot....HOT ONLY....when its cold it falls into neutral....When I put the Extra Plate clutch pack in I made sure to get the two rings out of the clutch basket, the clutch basket was empty when I put the plates in....They were installed in the correct order....I did everything and more by the book.....Help...if you can....Ray

[@1963SMITTY]

So if you get where the bike creeps do you need to go more to a full turn or closer to a half turn???

[@steverichens4242]

Very well done. I like the way you made it simple, easy and you had a good view of everything you did

[@dustinjohnson2116]

So my bike is wanting to jump when I start it in first gear even with the clutch pulled in. Which way do I need to go with adjustment screw?

[@unpopulartruths4531]

such a simple and awesome explain. Love you. Thanks bro

[@mattpacheco355]

MUST BE PERFORMED WITH THE BIKE COLD!!! Great reference video but left out one of most important steps. Also, if your clutch is newer, you will want closer to 1 turn out, if your clutch is older, start with a 1/2 turn out and go from there.

[@salvatoregiovanni8967]

What exactly does more turns out do for the clutch engagement point? I have a 2011 Heritage with 17k miles. Proper free play is adjusted at the lever and the clutch has always engaged way too early. Like just a few mm after the lever leaves the handlebar grip. I just went through this adjustment procedure and backed it out a little over 1/2 turn and the clutch is still engaging very early.

[@C.Stiltner]

@@salvatoregiovanni8967 Engaged = when the clutch plates are together and transferring power to the rear wheel. Disengaged = when the clutch plates are separated and the power from the engine does not transfer to the rear wheel. The closer the actuating rod is to the clutch diaphragm spring (IE 1/4 turn CCW after seated) will result in GREATER clutch plate disengagement and LESS engagement. The further the actuating rod is from the clutch diaphragm spring (IE 1 full turn CCW after seated) will result in LESS clutch plate disengagement and MORE engagement resulting in creeping, hard to get into neutral, etc.

[@C.Stiltner]

@@salvatoregiovanni8967 try turning the adjuster CLOCKWISE 1/4 turn from where it is now. This should give more play (basically you’re doing less of a CCW turn) I used an Allen wrench and loosen up the adjuster and then spin it clockwise until it stops on its own weight, from there I turned it back 1/2 ccw turn. I just did a LOT of reading on this so I’m happy to help if I can.

[@salvatoregiovanni8967]

Thanks for the tips and thorough explanation. I will give that a shot!

[@bigmike690smc]

I love how simple these bikes are to work on...

[@williammorgan5987]

Harley Davidson Rider that’s the benefit of our very “outdated” bikes

[@anthonyrodriguez8482]

@@williammorgan5987 don't change what isn't broke

[@jpcycles]

Does your clutch slip or your bike creep? You may need a clutch adjustment. In this video, Patrick walks you through the standard Harley clutch adjustment procedure showing you the tools and steps needed to properly adjust the clutch on a 2008 Street Glide. Please consult your manual before making adjustments.

[@bonniemayfield]

Love you

[@JSTJPN]

I just replaced my cutch assembly. When taking slack out of lever it gets very hard to pull in. Any recommendations?

[@olliemoose2020]

Well explained nice and simple, the reason I watched it was because with my FXSB the clutch leaver on the handle bars starts in gauging as soon as it is released ; I want to have it clutching a little later, meaning when the handle is half way released, but I guess its just a matter of adjusting the center screw to get the desired feel. thx

[@bodhibriar7401]

sorry to be so offtopic but does any of you know a tool to log back into an Instagram account..? I somehow forgot the login password. I would love any help you can give me!

[@gideongannon2128]

@Bodhi Briar instablaster =)

[@bodhibriar7401]

@Gideon Gannon I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and I'm in the hacking process atm. I see it takes quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@bodhibriar7401]

@Gideon Gannon it did the trick and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy:D Thank you so much, you saved my ass !

[@gideongannon2128]

@Bodhi Briar No problem =)

[@LloydMayes]

I’m goin to adjust mine today. Mine tries to take off when the clutch is pulled. Thanks for the video

[@faithinYahusha]

Awesome video! Anyone can adjust a clutch after watching this👍🏻

[@timmyjames852]

Question, I put a new clutch lever on my 14 breakout. Now when it's in gear and I have the lever pulled all the way in and try to push the bike ,I can feel the clutch is not fully ingageing. What should I check.

[@jimb4547]

Couldn’t I just take the slack out of the cable without adjusting the clutch itself? Please explain. Thank you so much!!!

[@bagoonyur]

If there is clutch creep which part should I adjust? The cable nuts or open the derby cover again and adjust that as well?

[@mikeL8814]

I've found your videos and products to be helpful and exactly what i need. now off to adjust the clutch!

[@graywolfe7232]

Thanks man was on way back on road trip and had no audire how to adjust my clutch with your video and my small tool kit at rest stop on I let my bike cool fast fix and was able to get back home that nite ty I'll be looking into more of your videos 😊

[@rorymclean7545]

Very good video..thanks...i just did my clutch adjustment, but I put the bike in first gear and release the clutch lever...it engages towards the end of me letting the lever out. I'd like it to engage sooner, does that mean I backed out the adjuster screw too far or not enough?

[@RIDEorDIE1776]

My harley is the same way did you ever get an answer on the fix?

[@Uncle_Dirt]

These tutorial videos are the reason why I order parts from J&P. (Unless they're out of stock)

[@ludovico6252]

Hello thank you for the video. I did the setting but now i have a big problem when i pull the lever it didn't go so close to the handgrip as before so i force and now it's stuck😲 😭. I don't understand everything seemed to be good. I dismount again the cover loosen the nut and nothing happen... Do you have an idea please? Hope see you soon.

[@ldoubledogtraining]

Thanks A hundred and hundred of dollars from the bottom of my pocketbook wasn't sure clutch was slipping really bad watch your video and off and riding I go preciate it keep the videos coming

[@thekevindentonroadshowlive9454]

Watching videos .. I learned .. and I’ve saved over 600 bucks or more doing my own work

[@leokavanaugh1939]

JP cycles got the best how to vids

[@BrewCityRider]

Very helpful video. Just adjusted my clutch on the old Evo. The lock nut/adjuster nut setup on the cable was slightly different, but everything else basically the same. I couldn't break that damn clutch lock nut loose using the method in the video, so I just put a socket on it and had the wife hold the front break while I snapped it loose. Doesn't seem to be any reason to hold the adjuster screw while breaking the nut loose. Did a quick Google search to confirm, and seems many people just use a socket, including some Harley techs.

[@onecleanfinger]

Yep mine started rounding using the wrench. Threw a socket on and presto

[@orficaldari3524]

I know this comment is 8 years old but you just prevented me from rounding off the nut on my inherited bike. Appreciate you brother

[@jamesalexander949]

When i shift, i hear the gears clang. Could that be an our of adjustment clutch cable

[@MrMeatball052]

This dude just busted out the Newton meters. Where'd he go to motorcycle school? MIT? lol. Thanks for the vid. I'm doing this tomorrow

[@jpcycles]

:D

[@pureblood365]

If you've got a hydraulic clutch how do you release the clutch pressure on the clutches if you want to change the clutch plates

[@gcragg11]

Hi...thanks for your vid. Is there a way of knowing by performance when this clutch rod needs to be adjusted? Because Ive never done it. Just adjusted my cable slack a few times. But my clutch feels and performs perfectly. Should I just leave it alone? Thanks man.

[@crites123456789]

Yeah I tried this and was so tight that the actual Allan bolt broke. Like a chunk where your alan wrench goes in...

[@DeuceDevil]

One good explanation of clutch adjustments. Thanks Brother.

[@bakeetalzahrini1931]

Hi sir, i need chang the clutch Cable magna for my bike harlay divdsion street gliaed 2011, 74cm but i don't know whats is the part no for that, can u help me where can i find it 🙏🏻😍😘

[@MARKWOUND]

Dig the videos...much help my bike guy retired...and wont take it to the Dealer...😎

[@viijunioriiv8512]

I cant find the sweet spot should the bike be uo right or what am i doing wrong

[@twilliamsusmc]

Need a crowfoot to use a torque wrench on that jam nut. I go slightly more then 1/2 turn as well.

[@ilovecookies6969]

But will this help if the clutch isn’t wanting to go into second gear without having to click it a couple times? Need help figuring this out.

[@brianmitchell9253]

Jw I have a 2006 Harley dyna street bob fxdbi. I recently replaced my inner primary bearing and race amd seals myself .at first was leakin primary oil fixed that issue but the locking jam nut on that locks the clutch basket came loose in think I went inside my primary chain. Because it came back out chewed up long story short. I went riding yesterday night upon returning home I noticed it wasn't accelerating right. This morning when I woke up it wouldnt move woth the clutch lever out all the way. I also noticed the clutch basket I could rotate it forward and back a couple of inches. It also rattles a bit when I do so whats the prob here. New mechanic on harleys. If it was a 18 wheeler i couod tell u anything that could b wrong n how to fix it.

[@rosemcbirney5123]

Thank you for getting back to me. Vince

[@tjrubi7463]

Do you mean tighten the allen bolt till it slighty toches...or turn till the nut slighty touches?

[@Procrastinator1948]

Just FYI. On an Electra Glide with passenger floorboards you will have to remove the left floorboard before you can even get to the rearmost clutch cover screw.

[@brianjosephson9865]

i just did this today and wow what a difference

[@staged67gspwr]

Im trying to adjust my clutch as the guy is doing it and i do it the same way but my lever does not bottom out against the hand grip??any suggestions?

[@babybugspaw7085]

Thanks again for sharing, any help would be gracious, (trying to adjust my clutch on 2016 Road King inside the primary case) my center nut inside cover of my primary case is deep & can’t get to it to adjust clutch without stripping the center nut and still holding the Allen wrench screw, could I use an impact (battery operated) to try breaking the nut loose and is everything spinning inside the gonna mess everything up? Any help much much appreciated.

[@codydayton3573]

What if you have a hydraulic clutch and I wanna adjust the clutch screw.

[@rosemcbirney5123]

If I adjust it as you do and the clutch is still the same ie grunchs into 1 as well a 2nd would it be the clutch plates could this explain why there’s no play in the lever as the last owner was trying to get the most out of it

[@vikingselph5475]

thank you! J&P Cycles you have a customer for life. you really set the standard for an awesome company

[@lilsolo68]

I’m looking to put on some 10” Paul gaffe classics monkey bars. Will adjusting the clutch cable all the way out give enough slack to reach the new bars?

[@TarantulaAddicts]

Will my clutch cable always run straight down the left side?

[@chrisswails74]

I just bought a 04 1200 sportster 2 ride it jumped out of 5 and feels like in n and won't shift in to any gear even with motor off

[@jimkrivoshein1712]

Well done and much appreciated. Was feeling like my clutch might need adjusting, but now I know it's within expected play and all is well.

[@jameshuckaby2262]

Will this work for a 2003 softail standard

[@kcav5374]

First time Sportster owner ((1992 883)I want to do this to mine because the friction zone is all the way out at the end of the clutch handle action.

[@joeharris7370]

best how-to help video, thanx j&p!!!

[@deanwinchester1537]

Could it cause the bike to not go forward even though it shifts through the gears?

[@SBrandon562]

I'm new to motorcycles, I have an 03 Road King Anniversary. I tried starting my bike in gear this morning (with the clutch pulled in) and it crept forward a few inches. It did start, But it pulled the bike forward. I'm assuming that the clutch needs to be adjusted, But would that be because it is out of whack? Or just because of normal clutch wear? Also, I sometimes find it hard to get the bike into first gear...I have to (almost) stomp on the shifter to get it to engage.

[@diablo-km2ot]

after adjusting my clutch cable, soon i ride my bike few miles my clutch lever starts to get all wobbly lots of slack and cant change gear what can it be.

[@whollymary7406]

How if you have clutch creep or slip how to readjust it

[@hillbillyblues79]

Had to pull clutch pack to do my stator. Just the info i needed, thanks!

[@waynes4612]

I tried this today, wes not able to break the lock nut in the primary loose, any suggestions?

[@Terry-gf6tz]

Thank you brother

[@celyochagas7572]

may use those herself regulagem to harley fat boy low 2013?

[@jpcycles]

yes you can

[@TheOriginalemoticon]

What gear is the motorcycle supposed to be in when you adjust the clutch.

[@talyonmaximus]

If you just wanted to adjust the contact point of the clutch handle itself (ie; I'd like my clutch to engage a bit sooner as I"m releasing it), could you make that adjustment at the cable adjust nuts located half way down the cable, under the rubber boot?

[@rowlinstoned3715]

Best video on this topic. 🤘

[@jdubkrew]

This worked perfect. Easy job and well said. Thank you!

[@johnbonifas6040]

Can you please tell me if your bike is in gear and you start it and it trying to move I need to adjust it

[@jpcycles]

Nope. Should be perfectly fine.

[@pmaint1]

Thanks for the informative video. How do you know when it's time to make the clutch adjustment?

[@louisbravos3781]

What if the rattle in the rod goes away when the cable is adjusted?

[@dcarlson12206]

What do U mean by when it touches sounds stupid I know but I’m trying to figure out if u mean when the nut touches the metal ?

[@ceneb3731]

thanks guys for the help , i had some play with my clutch lever thirty minutes later all done..

[@cedler426]

Before adjusting should the bike be in neutral or in a certain gear?

[@scottjones2564]

I wonder what that was clutch creep I have just a little bit especially in first gear I started up for the collect so I basically just make sure took care of that?

[@NEMCTV6]

When I start the bike in 1st gear of course with the clutch handle pulled in the bike will move forward (is that Clutch Creep?)....Should I adjust the cable first before anything else? Thanks

[@jpcycles]

Yes, that is clutch creep. Try the cable, if that doesn't work do the full adjustment

[@NEMCTV6]

thx... will do.

[@joeszucs2190]

Helpful and straight forward thanks.

[@williamthompson3066]

New to Harley hydraulic clutch do they need to be adjusted