Finding neutral

Energy One

Keith S

EHC FREE!!!!
Hi everyone - sorry if this has been asked before. I am new to this site and a new Big Dog owner. I picked up an 04 Chopper in Ft Lauderdale about a month ago - rode it back to Cincinnati in about 32 hours.

I am having trouble getting it into neutral with the engine running. It really has not been an issue until last night. Normally, I ride open roads, but last night, I went cruising around the city. LOTS of fun, but had some fairly long waits at the traffic lights. With my old bike, I would just switch into neutral, but I could not get the dog to do it. Is this common with a baker 6 or is there something I can adjust to help?

Thanks in advance -

Keith
 

rhinoevans

Active Member
It common on my 2002 Pitbull. Just switched to a synthetic oil for the tranny. MAYBE having a little better luck finding N
 

lee

Well-Known Member
look at the clutch adjustment threads and keep your pushrod well greased. Also a quick zip on the throttle at the same time as flicking it to neutral can help.
 

Sparks

Chopper Junkie!
look at the clutch adjustment threads and keep your pushrod well greased. Also a quick zip on the throttle at the same time as flicking it to neutral can help.
I agree, a quick rev just as you go from first gear up and it should slide right into neutural!
 

JamesofGA

Member
Neutral's between 1st and 2nd if that helps?

Just kidding... rev it a little and you can also rock it back a little.
 

elroho624

Big 'B'
Hi everyone - sorry if this has been asked before. I am new to this site and a new Big Dog owner. I picked up an 04 Chopper in Ft Lauderdale about a month ago - rode it back to Cincinnati in about 32 hours.

I am having trouble getting it into neutral with the engine running. It really has not been an issue until last night. Normally, I ride open roads, but last night, I went cruising around the city. LOTS of fun, but had some fairly long waits at the traffic lights. With my old bike, I would just switch into neutral, but I could not get the dog to do it. Is this common with a baker 6 or is there something I can adjust to help?

Thanks in advance -

Keith
Gasman posted a great tip, here is the link. You can also find more through the search.
http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/2025-how-adjust-your-clutch.html
 

Tim

Administrator
Staff member
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I let the clutch out a little and that helps me when I have trouble finding neutral.
 

07bigdog

07BIGDOG
Synethic oil does make it easier to find neutral, but you ususally have to let the clutch out a bit while giving it a rev. I slip it into neutral while i'm still rolling up to the red light. That way it goes into neutral, no problem.
 

woodbutcher

Mr. Old Fart member #145
Staff member
clutch adjustment will probably give you the best results over the long run. also, better for the clutch.
 

toomanybikes

not enough time 4 riding
After getting the Easy Pull clutch installed, I no longer have problems shifting into neutral while the engine is running. Prior to that, raising the RPMs to about 1500 helped.
 
Gotta speak again up for the Bandit clutch that I had put in last week. It solves all the going into neutral, creeping while clutch engadg ed and most likely failure down the road. It made my '05 Chopper the bike it should be.
 

lee

Well-Known Member
Gotta speak again up for the Bandit clutch that I had put in last week. It solves all the going into neutral, creeping while clutch engadg ed and most likely failure down the road. It made my '05 Chopper the bike it should be.

totally agree :2thumbs:
 

dogvet

Banned
If it's hard to find neutral the clutch is dragging a bit. Follow the procedures posted on this site. procedures in the service manuals will get you in the ball park, each bike has it's own happy spot.

When you check the cable free play, hold the ferrule end of the cable up against the lever housing. There is actually two distincet free plays that you can feel.
One is the cable itself and the other is is slop between the cable sheath and the control.
 

LamboV12

Active Member
In all likelyhood clutch adjustment - 5 minute fix. It also cout be a few other things that are also a quick fix, like sticking heim joints.

Agree about the Bandit. Since I converted like butter each and ever time.

Keith - get your bike at Trotta or OCC? Send me a PM. I'm in Ft Laud and we ride every weekend - cutoms, bobbers,etc and about 3-4 dogs.
 
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