As some of you might remember, I'm in the process of rebuilding a 82 FLH. I've got everything back together and got real excited to take a test run. Put gas in, checked the vitals, started in and ran it thru gears while on the stand and all worked great. It shifted fine, went to nuteral, clutch lever is adjusted correctly, everything was ready!!! Ok, so I took it to the ground, depressed the clutch lever, put it in first gear and it stalled out. The clutch isn't working. Everything is adjusted by the book, and like I mentioned, it runs fine on the stand, so, back up in the air with it and started it, put it in first gear, pulled in the clutch lever and the rear wheel wont free spin. Now here is my question, I had pulled the clutch release lever off the shaft where it goes into the transmission and the shaft came up out of the housing, not out, but up. When I installed the same clutch lever I noticed that the shaft just spins around. Do I have to capture something in the Transmission, like pull the side cover off or what??
Dave

Hi Dave,
If I remember correctly did you show a pic of the clutch? Anyhow I can't seem to picture what you are talking about? I am as perplexed about this as you are, works on the stand and not on the ground. Do you have it adjusted right?

Hey, Lenny. Thanks for the reply. It is sort of confusing the way I described it. What's happening, and possibly I don't have the clutch adjusted right, is when I have it in nuteral in the air or on the ground, the back wheel doesn't spin. I depress the clutch lever, put it in first gear, on the ground it just stalls out. Up in the air it spins but when I depress the clutch lever and put my boot aginst the wheel to stop it from turning, it won't stop. I adjusted the clutch by the manual, and other suggestions, but it doesn't seem to make any difference. What I was wondering is where the clutch shift lever goes into the transmission on the right side of the bike, if I have an issue there. I pulled the clutch shift lever off the shaft that goes into the tranny, turned it with a wrench while it was in gear and not running. Nothing released. Shouldn't I get a nuteral position simulating what the clutch lever would otherwise be doing? Sorry man, this is getting way more confusing then the first post.

As you are explaining it it does NOT disengage at all up on the stand or on the ground. When you pull in on the clutch lever it is supposed to release the pressure on the clutch plates.

Hey Dave watch this hope it will help this is for a newer one but maybe it will give you some light on your problem
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATUJ1EGr8Fk[/youtube].

Great help, Lenny!!! My clutch cable goes into the transmission by way of the clutch release lever and shaft, but has to work under the same principle. So, when I depress my clutch lever (at the handlebars), I don't get any action on my clutch discs. I will look at it more tonight when I get home. Again, thanks much. I'll keep you informed.

the best way to adjust a clutch is the manual for your bike. But here is a quick way to do it. take out all the adjustment in the cable, so you have a couple of inchs of play at the lever. now eith your clutch cover removed loosen the lock nut and screw out the allen screw until it is easy to turn. next turn the allen in until you feel resistance at that point back the screw off about a 1/4 turn and lock it down with the nut. before you lock it down you can go in and out with the screw to get the feel, all you are trying to do is to have the 3 clutch rods touching each other, then you back off the 1/4 turn. Now adjust your cable, at this time you should have a bunch of play at the lever, ture your cable adjuster counterclockwise to take up the play at the lever, when you get to about 3/16 of an inch at the lever tighted down the adjuster. After riding if the cable adjuster changes a little after a fwew miles take it up at the cable, not the clutch. The adjustment are maede to your liking, I have never seen a dealer adjust a cable like I like them, they always have to much play as far as I am concerned. this should give you a working clutch, if not something else is wrong.
If you are the one that showed a clutch with some extra part at the clutch adjuster and you are using that part, good luck. I would only use the parts that are for that clutch, not homemade stuff, good luck

Dave,
Always happy to help any way I can. Hope that you get it figured out. Good Luck!

Well, I found the problem. I pulled the clutch again (I'm getting good at this) and found no problems. Went to the other side, removed enough parts to get to the transmission end cover, took it off and found a broken release finger laying in the bottom of the tranny. So hoppfully I can find someone who stocks this part somewhere. I've been using J&P cycle for most of my parts, anybody got a favorite supplier that might stock parts for older harleys?

Glad to hear that you are on your way to fixing the problem. Very good that you found that broken part in your primary. If that would have gotten into the chain you would have had a big problem. Sorry can't help you with a recommendation that I have used.

If you are saying the part of the clutch release mechcanism that sits on top of the balls, I would say first try your HD dealer, then go aftermarket if he doesn't have it. That part should not break, you had something wrong with the clutch or clutch adjustment, there is not much tension on that lever when set up right.