Well, changing the oil and removing/replacing the primary case sump cover.

I'll try to describe the problem as accurately as I can:

Bike starts up to a bit of a rattle. This disappears when the revs drop.

Riding along, I can't easily get the bike to engage in most of the gears; especially first. I'll pull up and go to put it into 1st only for no 'click'. I have to do a trick of slightly tapping the gear lever up with my foot and then I can change down into 1st. Similarly, changing up I have to lightly tap the gear lever down (it is just a light tap) and then I can change up.

Any ideas? I'm off to Wales in two days and I won't have time to book it in with a mechanic. If it really needs it then so be it, but i'm hoping it is just because i've not tightening/overtightened the primary chain.

Thanks again. Another day, another egg-on-face thread.

Is the clutch adjusted correctly? Is the bike nudging forward when you select first from a stand still?

Nate.

Hi Nate,


No, the bike is not nudging forward slightly when I select first.

Did you change the gadget? There are some thinner gadgets around, that make the primary cover jam the shifting shaft. The shifter pedal does not come back to it middle position then, but sticks to the upper or lower position.

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"It is often said that before you die your life passes before your eyes. It is in fact true. It's called living."
Terry Pratchett

Sounds like clutch adjustment has been impacted when you had the primary cover off. Redoing the clutch adjust (both parts) should sort it.

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'08 X / '16 SX

'primary case sump cover'?

1. Do you mean the clutch adjustment cover? If so was the adjuster spring located back in place behind the cover if you disturbed these items?

2. Is the correct level of Harley Davidson specified gear oil in the transmission?

2. Why do you need to rev the engine or even touch the throttle on starting? Give the oil pump a chance to start working first! If the engine hesitates and needs any throttle on starting, open throttle just above zero and let go as soon as it fires. Well that's all my 06 model needs.

3. If it's the primary chain, and you removed the complete primary cover, I'd ask more qualified people here.

Hi edd.

1. I mean the sump cover. I think. The whole case. Not just the inspection window.

2. 0.95 litres of fresh transmission oil. The oil barely covered the line bottom gear teeth when observed through the inspection cover.

3. I wasn't revving the engine. On firing up, it will sit at higher revs for a while until it drops to around the 1.1k rpm. It is at this higher tickover that I hear the rattle.

4. I adjusted the primary chain tenstion as described. From memory, I think there is about 1/2" of play.

Sounds like primary chain adjustment.
Check it again.

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Norrie.

sorry to be a bit thick but do you mean the gear shift lever doesnt return fully to the central position after you change gear? .........whichway?

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........have you tried turning me off & then turning me on again ?

Hi whichway?

I too apologise for not explaining this very clearly.

On startup, the bike sounds like a robotic whore getting her back doors smashed in. Everything settles down after a minute or so.

I can engage first and set off. Changing up to 2nd, and I move the shift lever up as far as it goes without it dropping into gear. I have to 'tap' it (very lightly) down with my foot and then click it up into second. Same with 3rd, 4th and so on. Reverse when decelerating.

If the shift lever returning to the central position means the shift lever isn't properly engaging or resetting or whatever, then I guess that it is what it is.

Was hoping for a "your primary chain tension is too loose/tight" but appreciate that with my clumsy explanations I don't help.

Is the gear lever chafing on the casing? This would stop it returning......

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Spencer Racing... www.spencerracing.co.uk

Sounds like this - have to admit.

Somewhere there is friction/restriction on the shift mechanism. That or the return spring is knacked.

I knew those years of fettling Guzzi levers would come in handy one day. Pivot lubrication. Ball joints gooed up. Splined shaft in the casing not free. Happy fettling.

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Sept 2017. Email will find me.

... and that little piece of rubber hose belongs on the outside part of the shifter shaft, not the inside.

_________________
"It is often said that before you die your life passes before your eyes. It is in fact true. It's called living."
Terry Pratchett

I think it's more to do with the nut that holds the handlebars......

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Spencer Racing... www.spencerracing.co.uk