Clutch Problems

[adamthisis]

Don't what happened, but was riding yesterday on the freeway and notice that every time I pulled the clutch lever that the rmps were not going down. Then noticed that every time I shifted that I was power shifting. So got the bike to the side of the road and shut it off. Thought that maybe the pushrod nut had backed off the pushrod it the trans. Took the cover off and the nut was tight. So readjusted the cable and the pushrod and made sure that the cable was pushing the rod when I pulled the clutch lever and it was. So got on the bike and tried to roll it while in gear and will not roll, bike is acting like there is no clutch.

So I don't what the hell is going on, the cable is good, the pushrod is going in and out, but is not engauging the clutch.

Anyone know what might be happening?
What I really don't understand is that the clutch was working great when I left my house.

 

[Nomad2day]

The clutch hub nut has come loose on the primary side. Spinning in and out with the rpms...
Neil

 

[troppushcet]

Try putting it in 1st gear and then push the bike without pulling in the clutch lever. If the bike pushes with ease, your main shaft may be broken.

 

[adamthisis]

Try putting it in 1st gear and then push the bike without pulling in the clutch lever. If the bike pushes with ease, your main shaft may be broken.

I try that the bike won't roll. Then I tried to roll it in gear with the clutch pulled in and the bike still won't roll.

 

[adamthisis]

The clutch hub nut has come loose on the primary side. Spinning in and out with the rpms...
Neil

I tought that if the hub nut came loose the clutch would slip really bad.

 

[V]

Well sounds like ya gonna have to go in the primary to have a look. My 08 had a loose clutch hub nut with about 300 miles. Put a ratchet on it and it was hand loose. If thats your prob (hope thats it) would be good to pull the whole clutch to make sure you can clean (de-lube) everything to make sure loctite gets a good grip. Theres a thread on here specing the red locktite for the job and I think there was a tech bulletin from BD. Easy job to do if thats the prob:2thumbs:

Mine was not slipping, just hard to shift and find neutral

 

[PurpleDog]

I tought that if the hub nut came loose the clutch would slip really bad.

Negative, it won't disengage (release the frictions) as you seem to be describing.

 

[V]

Negative, it won't disengage (release the frictions) as you seem to be describing.

Well get a six and head to the garage, report back at 12:00 hours

 

[bruce]

not sure if this will help, I have a 2006 K9. my clutch slipped on accel. at speed from new and they never could fix. If you have stock clutch it is like a pressure plate and you may have worn the clutches or spacer ( it is a small one). at about 25000 miles main shaft broke. IF this happens call baker direct, I removed and sent to baker and they rebuild for about $350.00 which is cheat, well over $1000.00 from dealer. I would start at beginning even thou it a pain you will learn, first you should have a shop manual - with that and this web site you can fix most things, remove exhaust just take off adjustment plate for push rod and see that it is moving in and out when you pull clutch lever ( by the way you can do this without removing exhaust if you want just not must working room). If it is most likely your problem will be on other side, you can remove inspection plate and like everyone has already say check nut, if nut is Ok, remember nut should have red lock tight so even if it has moved out you may not be able to turn by hand, you will have to remove primary cover and start taking thing apart to find problem, the pricipal is just like a car clutch with a pressure plate, so for some reason if there is not enough pressure to stop the plates from moving, or if it will not disengage then not enough movement in push rod. OR you could do like I did and install a KARATA open primiary and end your problems (JIM is a good guy) hope this help.

 

[adamthisis]

Well guys thanks for all your info, think I am just going to take to shop, Iam getting relly tired of working on this bike. Seems just as I get one problem fixed something else goes. And Iam also getting to the point of no return with it, might trade it in on something else.

 

[KnotSo]

Thomas up at Lifestyle will make it right the first time, just make sure they use Thomas and not another tech.

 

[adamthisis]

Thomas up at Lifestyle will make it right the first time, just make sure they use Thomas and not another tech.

Yep think thats what I am going to do, when I can get the money.Thanks

 

[barhopper]

Well guys thanks for all your info, think I am just going to take to shop, Iam getting relly tired of working on this bike. Seems just as I get one problem fixed something else goes. And Iam also getting to the point of no return with it, might trade it in on something else.

Dont spend money. Its a cheap fix probably. Its at least worth a try. Don't throw in the towel so easily. Any bike made has things to keep up on it.

 

[BadBrad]

I"m with barhopper on this. Rehab is for quitters! If money is an issue, then pulling your primary and fixing this yourself should be your first resort, not your last. Besides, if it is your clutch hub nut, you'll be able to fix this without buying any parts and get your ride back on the road the same day. This forum was built just for folks like us. A passion to ride a bad ass bike, no money left over for repairs after buying the bike, but just enough mechanical sense to change a spark plug. You have nothing to lose here!!

 

[cvegmond]

All this sissy talk about going to Big Bog technicians for repairs. What are these forums for if not to encourage you to learn to troubleshoot the bike you ride?

Obviously, your clutch isn't opening up. One side of the clutch rod is free. Sounds like, its the plate the rod pushes against in the clutch basket or clutch nut inside the primary. Although it would be very unusual for these two pieces to fail or come loose. I still suspect the clutch rod adjuster (pipe side) isn't correct.

On another note...Big Dogs are expensive motorcycles. How is it you can afford one, but not the few hundred bucks for a mechanic to fix it for you? There are a lot of yuppies and posers here that bring there bikes in for oil changes, etc...

I would never have a bike out of service waiting for money...waiting for parts, yes...sorry, I should be more considerate. I hope you get the primary cover off and see what the HELL IS GOING on in there (if you have not already done so).

Have a good day and good luck with the clutch issue, Cor.

 

[woodbutcher]

All this sissy talk about going to Big Bog technicians for repairs. What are these forums for if not to encourage you to learn to troubleshoot the bike you ride?

Obviously, your clutch isn't opening up. One side of the clutch rod is free. Sounds like, its the plate the rod pushes against in the clutch basket or clutch nut inside the primary. Although it would be very unusual for these two pieces to fail or come loose. I still suspect the clutch rod adjuster (pipe side) isn't correct.

On another note...Big Dogs are expensive motorcycles. How is it you can afford one, but not the few hundred bucks for a mechanic to fix it for you? There are a lot of yuppies and posers here that bring there bikes in for oil changes, etc...

I would never have a bike out of service waiting for money...waiting for parts, yes...sorry, I should be more considerate. I hope you get the primary cover off and see what the HELL IS GOING on in there (if you have not already done so).

Have a good day and good luck with the clutch issue, Cor.

#1 yes, you should be more considerate. :angry:

#2 if you had been here any length of time and read any of the technical posts, you would know that the clutch hub nut is a known problem due to the fact that the loc-tite was left off a lot of bikes even to the extent that a service bulletin was issued just for this item.

#3 people do what people do, get off his shit and stop bad mouthing a fellow member.

#4 financial conditions change quite rapidly for many people. sometimes you finally think you can afford your dream bike and go ahead and shoulder the burden and, guess what, SHIT HAPPENS.

so, have a good day.

 

[adamthisis]

#1 yes, you should be more considerate. :angry:

#2 if you had been here any length of time and read any of the technical posts, you would know that the clutch hub nut is a known problem due to the fact that the loc-tite was left off a lot of bikes even to the extent that a service bulletin was issued just for this item.

#3 people do what people do, get off his shit and stop bad mouthing a fellow member.

#4 financial conditions change quite rapidly for many people. sometimes you finally think you can afford your dream bike and go ahead and shoulder the burden and, guess what, SHIT HAPPENS.

so, have a good day.

Thanks man for saying what I was just to say

 

[adamthisis]

All this sissy talk about going to Big Bog technicians for repairs. What are these forums for if not to encourage you to learn to troubleshoot the bike you ride?

Obviously, your clutch isn't opening up. One side of the clutch rod is free. Sounds like, its the plate the rod pushes against in the clutch basket or clutch nut inside the primary. Although it would be very unusual for these two pieces to fail or come loose. I still suspect the clutch rod adjuster (pipe side) isn't correct.

On another note...Big Dogs are expensive motorcycles. How is it you can afford one, but not the few hundred bucks for a mechanic to fix it for you? There are a lot of yuppies and posers here that bring there bikes in for oil changes, etc...

I would never have a bike out of service waiting for money...waiting for parts, yes...sorry, I should be more considerate. I hope you get the primary cover off and see what the HELL IS GOING on in there (if you have not already done so).

Have a good day and good luck with the clutch issue, Cor.

Just because I have this bike dosen't mean I have money coming out my ass, and for you being a new member talking shit dosen't sit well. OK The only thing that I asked for was if anyone knew what the problem was. The last 2 times I ahve gone for a fucken ride I had get the goddamn thing towed home.

I do think this site is a great site to learn about how to work on these bike and I have had a lot of success with doing my own work, but don't talk shit about someone if they want to take to a shop to get something fixed.

 

[Tom Chop]

To cvegmond---what?

cvegmond
As a junior member IMHO a little courtesy and respectwill garner a much better response from members. I, fortunately, have just made full member and I am damn proud to have made the grade. Thank You to The Big Dog, Tim, and to all of the forum members-I`m happy to be on board.
As other the forum members, a lot has been stated and a lot of valuable information is available if one is only open to take advanyage of it. Many eyes and ears are able to help with a problem that may arise with your bike. Shit happens just be prepared to deal with it. After all it is just a motorcycle, a machine, no that is not true- it`s a Big Dog damnit! We are the Lucky ones who own them, ha ha! :flag:
A Big Dog is a "factory custom" and as such is allowed to be "tempermental" just like a boat, race car, airplane, or Old Lady. Why do you think that they carry female gender names? IMlHO a little tact will go a long way. I don`t want to piss you off but the forum members are willing and able to help if one is able to accept the advice they have to offer. It is up to you.

:flag: Be Kind
Take Care
Tom Chop

 

[cvegmond]

Response for Woodchuck

#1 yes, you should be more considerate.

For sure, we should all be considerate...especially me. I would throw in patience as well.

#2 if you had been here any length of time and read any of the technical posts, you would know that the clutch hub nut is a known problem due to the fact that the loc-tite was left off a lot of bikes even to the extent that a service bulletin was issued just for this item.

I did read about the loc-tite. I just replaced the stock primary with an open belt. That nut was slobbered in red loc-tite AND this nut is a lefty. This means the nut will self tighten. I say his problem is not the nut that holds on the clutch basket.

#3 people do what people do, get off his shit and stop bad mouthing a fellow
member.

I consider myself a poser and a yuppie. I ride a production chopper to work. A production chopper is already an oxymoron. I'm a poser on an oxymoron. It's not a negative thing, it just is.

#4 financial conditions change quite rapidly for many people. sometimes you finally think you can afford your dream bike and go ahead and shoulder the
burden and, guess what, SHIT HAPPENS.

We can't for see the future, but good financial decision making skills today will minimize the shit when it happens. For example, taking out a loan on a BDM is a bad idea. They depreciate quickly. I bought my 2007 K-9 for $16k, only 2000 mile, a repo. There were a lot out guys out there upside down on their note.

I like bike forums, but the advice is a mix of good and useless. You have to know how figure which dude has some "know-how".

You have a nice day too.