HOW TO ADJUST YOUR CLUTCH ON A HARLEY SPORTSTER
"When's a good time to adjust your clutch?" you ask. Well, take for instance if your clutch lever feels super loose, or when you're shifting your motorcycle doesn't easily go into higher or lower gears. Hell, it is also time to adjust it if you are having a really hard time finding neutral!
These are telltale signs that your clutch cable needs a bit of attention. It is an easy task that can be completed in your home garage (or driveway) with some basic hand tools, and we show you how to do it below!
WATCH VIDEO: HOW TO ADJUST YOUR CLUTCH ON A HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER
"But, how do I do that?" Don't worry we got you covered with another great Knoble Tech Tip from Steve Knoble.
With a few quick steps and a couple hand tools you can get this tackled with no problem at all on your own. Steve gives you a few helpful tips and things to look for when adjusting your clutch and you will soon become a pro.
If you are in need of a clutch cable, we have you covered. Not only do we carry standard clutch cables for Harley-Davidson motorcycles, we also have great prices on extended +4" length cables should you want to install taller handlebars, and 'blacked out' cables with black adjusters for that 'look how tough and black my bike is' look. Wink. And don't forget the matching Harley throttle and idle cables.
HOW TO ADJUST YOUR CLUTCH ON YOUR SPORTSTER IN 4 EASY STEPS
Most newer Sportsters have these little clip dodads holding the clutc cable to the frame, remove those to get the clutch cable free.
STEP 1: REMOVE ANY CLIPS OR ZIP-TIES HOLDING THE CLUTCH CABLE, EXPOSE YOUR LOCK NUT / ADJUSTER AND BREAK THE LOCK NUT
Pull up on the rubber "slinky" boot and expose your adjuster.
With two wrenches break free the locking nut and move it down to give your self room to adjust the cable.
STEP 2: ADJUST YOUR CABLE, WATCH LEVER PULL IN AS YOU TIGHTEN CABLE.
Turning the adjuster clockwise tightens the cable, turning it counterclockwise loosens the cable.
Watch the gap in your clutch lever as you turn the adjuster clockwise. Stop tightening the clutch cable once the clutch lever gap is gone.
STEP 3: TURN THE ADJUSTER COUNTERCLOCKWISE TO GIVE A LITTLE PLAY IN THE CLUTCH LEVER
Pull on the clutch lever and feel if there is any play or if it extremely stiff after loosening the adjuster a little.
STEP 4: TIGHTEN THE LOCK NUT. LOCK YOUR ADJUSTMENT DOWN. SLIDE "SLINKY" BOOT BACK OVER. CLIP CABLE BACK TO FRAME. TEST CLUTCH LEVER.
Tighten the lock nut and lock the adjuster without changing your adjustment.
Test your clutch lever and make sure it still has the same play as when you adjusted it. Make sure you didn't mess up your adjustment when you tightened the locknut. If you did, loosen the locknut and readjust, repeating step 2, 3, and 4.
Slide your "Slinky" boot back over your adjuster and clip your cable back onto the frame and or use zip-ties. That's it you're ready to go for a ride!
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