cant get into neutral while running

high octane

high octane

New Member
Newbie here, im not exactly sure where to post this but here goes... i recently bought a 2002 pitbull and it wont go into neutral while running, but it will go in when the bike is off. Im hoping this is an easy fix, its literally a pain sitting in traffic holding the clutch in. Other than that, the bike is great! Im loving it so far! Any feedback and help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Rob
 
cdogg556

cdogg556

Guru
Welcome from California Rob! :hi:First off you might want to do a formal intro in the introductions section so we can get to know you better and you will get a lot better response there,:old2: anyway I agree with Dustin, :yesnod:for me to get the bike into neutral I have to rev it just a bit right before shifting into neutral, it is the only way I can hit it while running, I am sure it will work for ya, if not you may need to check your freeplay at your lever to make sure to don't have too much, easy too adjust with the inline adjustment on the cable itself, good luck and don't forget the intro!:cheers:
 
Mr. Wright

Mr. Wright

Knows some things
Supporting Member
high octane said:
Newbie here, im not exactly sure where to post this but here goes... i recently bought a 2002 pitbull and it wont go into neutral while running, but it will go in when the bike is off. Im hoping this is an easy fix, its literally a pain sitting in traffic holding the clutch in. Other than that, the bike is great! Im loving it so far! Any feedback and help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Rob
Click to expand...
Morning Rob,
First thing you need to do is go here, http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/introductions.2/ and tell us a little bit about yourself. It's just forum respect.
Now on the shifting to neutral. It is the way the clutch is designed with tight tolerances to hold the HP going to it. The good news is, neutral can be found. First lets get some good oil on it. Change your primary oil, you will hear all sorts of people telling you what will work in there, but I prefer good ol' Harley primary oil.
Now with the bike warmed up, adjust your clutch. http://www.bigdogbiker.com/threads/how-to-adjust-your-clutch-05-and-newer.2025/
You may have to adjust it in or out an 1/8 of a turn to find that happy medium. All the bikes that go through my shop, you can get into neutral.
 
titus722

titus722

Active Member
Welcome from florida ,, adjust your clutch and try finding neutral before you come to a complete stop ,,
 
high octane

high octane

New Member
Thanks for the replies, i appreciate it greatly! And the muscles in my left hand thanks you. Bike week traffic in laconia this past week was a killer on the hand. Ill monkey around with the bike this week and report back. Thanks again, Rob
 
BWG56

BWG56

Guru
cdogg556 said:
Welcome from California Rob! :hi:First off you might want to do a formal intro in the introductions section so we can get to know you better and you will get a lot better response there,:old2: anyway I agree with Dustin, :yesnod:for me to get the bike into neutral I have to rev it just a bit right before shifting into neutral, it is the only way I can hit it while running, I am sure it will work for ya, if not you may need to check your freeplay at your lever to make sure to don't have too much, easy too adjust with the inline adjustment on the cable itself, good luck and don't forget the intro!:cheers:
Click to expand...
How the hell can you manage to do that?:oldwtf: :oldhardlaugh:
 
S

Saml

New Member
high octane said:
Newbie here, im not exactly sure where to post this but here goes... i recently bought a 2002 pitbull and it wont go into neutral while running, but it will go in when the bike is off. Im hoping this is an easy fix, its literally a pain sitting in traffic holding the clutch in. Other than that, the bike is great! Im loving it so far! Any feedback and help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Rob
Click to expand...
This is a common problem with the Rivera Primo Clutch that you have on your 02 pitbull as well as any other model with the same clutch. Rivera makes a great heavy duty clutch but the adjustment is not exactly the same as a Harley. With a Harley clutch you back the adjusting screw out 1/2 a turn. With a Rivera you back it out 1/4 of a turn. And yes it makes that much of a difference. The rest of the procedure is the same as with a Harley just make sure you only back it out 1/4 of a turn. You'll never have a problem finding neutral again. And it will shift much easier. I'm assuming you know how to adjust the clutch, if not the instructions are all over the internet. I'm sure You tube has a step by step video on it. Very easy to do.
 
high octane

high octane

New Member
I was able to give her a rev and shift into nuetral. The bike still shifts very hard so im going to adjust the clutch when i have a bit of time. Thanks for all the advice! You guys are great
 
Mr. Wright

Mr. Wright

Knows some things
Supporting Member
high octane said:
I was able to give her a rev and shift into nuetral. The bike still shifts very hard so im going to adjust the clutch when i have a bit of time. Thanks for all the advice! You guys are great
Click to expand...
There is a difference between shifting hard, and having a hard time shifting. They do have a stiffer or heavier shifting feel compared to a rice grinder. But if your having a hard time shifting it, change the oil in the transmission to Redline, it might have the wrong oil in it. We've found that redline works well in these transmissions.
 
Whodathunk

Whodathunk

Active Member
I had the same problem with my 01 Mastiff, neutral was impossible to find unless you shut it off. I agree with everybody's advice, it's spot on, but I see two things missing...
1. Using ATF in the primary... I called Primo and they suggested it, it helped mine a lot.
2. Clean and lube your control linkage... Even if your clutch is adjusted right, and you have the right gear box oil, you having to force the shift because of binding linkage will put you right past neutral and into second?
Just a thought...
 
BWG56

BWG56

Guru
Whodathunk said:
I had the same problem with my 01 Mastiff, neutral was impossible to find unless you shut it off. I agree with everybody's advice, it's spot on, but I see two things missing...
1. Using ATF in the primary... I called Primo and they suggested it, it helped mine a lot.
2. Clean and lube your control linkage... Even if your clutch is adjusted right, and you have the right gear box oil, you having to force the shift because of binding linkage will put you right past neutral and into second?
Just a thought...
Click to expand...
I totally agree with #2, but what does ATF in the primary have to do with shifting:oldconfused: :oldrant::oldlaugh::2cents:
 
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