Clutch hub nut

[heems]

During a ride last Saturday - I am at 900 miles - I noticed the gears kept getting harder to get into - i.e. more "clunk" even with the cable lever pulled all the way in. Separately, the lever had always had engaged almost right after letting the clutch out from the pulled in position. The two issues led me to get it checked thinking I needed a clutch cable adjustment. It turned out to be a backed off clutch hub nut. Supposedly i lucked out taking it in when I did cause it could have had "disasterous effect".

I then came on the site and did some research and it seems that a lot of folks advise checking this nut whenever it comes to clutch adjustment issues. So i gather it's a relativly common issue that per my tech should not even happen...

So in trying to educate myself, does anyone have pics of what this thing looks like and secondarily offer some explanations why it would "back off"? I.e. can I do something to prevent it from happening again or are we talking bad design?

 

[BWG56]

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/transmission-drive/13014-clutch-basket-hub.html
Zip down on this thread to chopper Dave, he has an ecellent pic of it.

 

[Chopper Dave]

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/transmission-drive/13014-clutch-basket-hub.html
Zip down on this thread to chopper Dave, he has an ecellent pic of it.

yep....here's the pic....this is on my scoot after Gas and I put red loctite on it...last Aug. you have to take off the cover that goes on the clutch basket

 

[lee]

its certainly a good idea to check it when changing the primary oil. As long as you get it on there good and tight (at least 100 ft ibs) with the correct loctite you should be ok.

 

[surferdude]

My nut was loose and I think that's what caused the clutch to wear out prematurely ... but it's all good ... put in the Bandit clutch and it was great to do it myself with all the input and help from this site ... thanks ... :flag:

 

[toadstool]

There is no excuse for this mechanical topic to remain an ongoing issue with Big Dog bikes. This problem has been known for years, which one would hope is long enough to fix the problem in the new bikes being produced. I own a Mutt which suffered from this annoying problem last year. A service center had my bike for 3 weeks during prime riding season which was enough to piss me off. I had my bike out 5 times this year and the same symptoms occurred. Is a nut truly that hard to keep attached to its counterpart? I am beyond frustrated.
Another off topic, not really worth starting a complete new thread, does anyone know why the Mutt was only produced one year? You can PM me if you don’t want to junk up this thread.

 

[Raywood]

does anyone know why the Mutt was only produced one year? You can PM me if you don’t want to junk up this thread.

Sure, it didn't sell!!! People wanted the polished motors and billet wheels not the PITA spokes. Input to the factory told them to change it and they did.