Harley hard to shift into neutral. Check this out and see how easy it is to install and how much Jun 7, 2025 · Many Harley riders complain about difficulty finding neutral, especially when the bike is stopped or rolling to a stop. I end up having to pull up hard on the shift lever and most times it just skips neutral and goes into second. Supposed to shift smother and easier to get into neutral! Disappointed with Harley-Davidson why should I pay $100 to get a $40,000 Harley who shift NOT into neutral? Now whit this part out of the 100 times I select neutral, I find it 100 times, both while stationary and while riding. Any suggestions? I have just started to notice that when I shift from neutral to first (when setting still) on my 2012 SG I am getting a slight jump (surge) forward. Most shifting issues can be related to an improperly adjusted shifter, or tired, inatentive shifting. when it’s in the ignition position, it’s supper easy to find; however as soon as I start it up I can’t find neutral. Sometimes, misaligned shifter linkage splines will be obvious to diagnose. We snuck into Zion Harley-Davidson to show you just how easy it is to upgrade your shifting game with the Kraus EZ Shift. People generally think its the trans when having trouble shifting into neutral but I have found most of the time its the clutch dragging. Finding neutral shouldn't feel like We’re embarrassed to admit this, but yeah… neutral can be a challenge to find. The problem is when I come to a stop I down shift to first as always and then try to get that mid up shift into the neutral position but it always jumps to second gear. Why is finding neutral so hard on a stock Harley-Davidson? It usually comes down to leverage. I need some help here. . Channel about everything motorcycle related from travel to tips, road planning, motorcycle Applying just enough lift to get it out of first into neutral without going into second. The only way I can get the bike into neutral is to shut it off and then I am able to shift it to neutral. Finding the neutral position can sometimes require a delicate and precise touch. Struggling to find neutral on your Harley Davidson? This comprehensive article explores the nuances between 5-speed and 6-speed transmissions, offers expert shifting tips, and highlights common mistakes to avoid. If you are experiencing Harley neutral issues, "hard neutral," or having a tough time shifting your Harley, you may need to address your Harley-Davidson gear shift linkage as an assembly. If own and ride a Harley Davidson, essential maintenance tips will help you identify and quickly me and my coworkers have to move about 75 used harleys out and back in daily. Harley Trike "HARD" to find neutral problem fixed for me! I'm new to Trike Talk forum. From checking fluid levels to addressing clutch responsiveness, empower yourself with That is the #1 reason for difficulty shifting into neutral - a clutch that needs to be adjusted. can someone or anyone The motorcycle won’t shift into neutral if the clutch is not functioning properly or hasn't been properly maintained. Increasing the leverage makes it 20% easier to shift through all the gears, which helps pop right into neutral when you need it. (100th anniversary black) It is in mint conditionBUT often when shifting from neutral to 1st there is a clunk when I release the clutch. If I’m completely off the throttle in first or second and trying to find neutral, it will not allow me to shift to neutral until I twist the throttle. I' am a new Harley owner of an 09 Street Glide. Figure 4. If your issue is hard shifting into 5th gear and feeling like it's lugging, this may actually be normal. I found way to eliminate almost all of it. Some of the primary fluids seem to help with this - Spectro for example. What could be causing this? Never had problem with finding neutral from day one. This situation can feel pretty annoying, right? Why does this happen? Well, there are several reasons behind it. It is harder to find neutral than on any of my previous bikes. Also, be confident that your clutch lever is capable of completing full travel. Any ideas what's happening here? Random Garage "Quickies", Episode S005: A quick video showing a very simple trick to make it easier to find neutral on your cable-clutch Milwaukee Eight Harley-Davidson. is there a trick what I should now? Archived post. Using automatic transmission fluid in the primary instead of heavier fluids Harley recommends. Learn troubleshooting techniques for smooth gear transitions, including clutch engagement, idle speed adjustments, and thorough checks of the clutch cable and transmission. I also see a lot of shifting "hard shifting" or "difficult shifting" complaints within the first 2000 miles. But I bought a brand new Harley 2016 Tri Glide last year and noticed immediately that it was often insanely difficult to find neutral. The Thrashin Supply EZ Shift Inner Gear Lever can be installed in mere minutes, and once on your gear changes, both into and out of neutral will be sheer pleasure. Common symptoms and signs indicating a false neutral issue. Now, when I test rode a pre-rushmore Road Glide Ultra I couldn't find neutral and the salesman told me to shut it off first. Here’s why you might be struggling to find neutral: When attempting to fix a Harley-Davidson gear shift linkage issue, verify correct adjustment at the clutch pack and in the cable per your service manual's specific requirements for your year, make, and model. Check this out and see how easy it is to install and how much better I have to blip my throttle to put my Harley Pan America in neutral. Step 4 – Check your shift points Many owners complain about 5th gear shifting too low according to the owner's manual. Just keep light pressure on the shifter. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. For some reason when parking my 05 electraglide it is difficult to shift up from first gear to neutral. Hay guys I'm in need of some help I have a 2000 harley sportster 1200 with the Evo motor in it and when I bought it the clutch was really hard so I took the derby cover of and found that the part Struggling to shift your Harley Davidson into neutral? This comprehensive guide demystifies the unique 6-speed transmission and sequential gear shift system of your bike. Any suggestions? So, next time you ride, pay close attention to gear shifts! Understanding False Neutral in Harley Davidson Motorcycles Definition of false neutral and its implications on riding experience. Feb 26, 2017 · Neutral can be hard to find, but first make sure the clutch is adjusted correctly, (follow the FACTORY shop manual) second, make sure the transmission/primary is not over-filled. The motorcycle won’t shift into neutral if the clutch is not functioning properly or hasn't been properly maintained. Hey guy just got a 2014 softail slim and was riding it for the first time and getting it into neutral is a bitch almost impossible. If your Harley is hard to shift into neutral, you should adjust its clutch plate, and clutch cable tension, add transmission oil and replace the neutral springs. This article will discuss the reasons why your motorcycle won’t shift into neutral. i park the bike, get it in first, and can't even move the bike into neutralbut when i shut it down, it'll shift fine i've adjusted For all Harley Davidson owners, we will discuss some common reasons, symptoms, and possible solutions behind most shifting problems that you may encounter. Is there anything I can do to make that shift into Bent shift forks can also cause a transmission popping out of gear; though, it typically it results in a bike reluctant to go into gear. To shift a Harley into neutral, gently tap the gear lever from first gear downwards or from second gear upwards, until the neutral indicator light turns on. The clunk into 1st. Get the Hello, hope everyone is well I’m hoping someone can help me, I have a Road Glide 3 I change the shifting linkage; I’m having a hard time finding neutral. This problem is common and can happen for several reasons. usually we cut the motor and roll back a few inches then try. I've got a '03 Sportster 1200 I bought used. Sep 13, 2024 · Struggling to find neutral on your Harley Davidson? This comprehensive article explores the nuances between 5-speed and 6-speed transmissions, offers expert shifting tips, and highlights common mistakes to avoid. Why is finding neutral so hard on a stock Harley- Davidson? It usually comes down to leverage. We’ll also dive into reasons motorcycles get stuck in neutral because they won’t move. That said, if you shift your motorcycle down first and nothing happens, you’ll likely have a shifting problem. Yesterday got my 2021 Sport Glide as my first ever Harley. I've had some difficulties shifting into neutral. You will have to shift the gear up and down and rock your motorcycle back and forth to shift into neutral. If you cant get motorcycle into neutral this video is for you. Let us introduce you to the 󳄫 Harley kicked us out?! We snuck into Zion Harley- Davidson to show you just how easy it is to upgrade your shifting game with the Kraus EZ Shift. we all have trouble on atleast 2 bikes each with shifting into neutral. I adjusted the clutch cable and pushrod as well as checked the primary chain tension several times. Pull clutch in for a second or 2, run revs up bit 2K, when engine goes back steady idle first just falls right in smoothly. Jul 17, 2025 · Imagine this: you’re excited to hit the road on your beloved Harley, but the neutral feels like a hidden treasure. 2K subscribers Subscribe Blip the throttle slightly and shift into neutral before the rpms settle down and it’ll go right into neutral every time. The Kraus EZ-Shift isn’t magic; it’s engineering. We snuck into Zion Harley- Davidson to show you just how easy it is to upgrade your shifting game with the Kraus EZ Shift. The pawl spring similar to the above is a common item to break on the Softail, causing many shifting issues. I will share with you easy fix and explain how to correct this issue if you cant get motorcycl Applying just enough lift to get it out of first into neutral without going into second. How to find neutral on your Harley Harley Davidson Gear Shift Linkage and Neutral Issues FixMyHogfreechannel 34. Channel about everything motorcycle related from travel to tips, road planning, motorcycle I' am a new Harley owner of an 09 Street Glide. It seems impossible to find. Warped Clutch Plates Warped clutch plates can cause some severe issues, like making it so your motorcycle won’t move even in neutral. Other times you may need to examine the assembly more closely. what is the cause and what’s the fix? 1. all share the same - very hard to find a neutral. Finding neutral shouldn't feel like a guessing game. As soon as I shut the engine off, i can pop it right in neutral. But thrice now in the past few months since I started riding I've shifted up from first into neutral accidentally while trying to take off quickly and just revved the shit out of my bike for a second or two before I realized what was going on. Have you ever found your Harley Davidson slipping into a “false neutral? me and my coworkers have to move about 75 used harleys out and back in daily. Whether your bike is stuck in neutral or won’t shift down into first gear from second, you’ve come to the right place; we’ve listed the most common reasons a motorcycle won’t shift into first gear! This simple and effective upgrade is really helpful for improved shifting and finding Harley neutral. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of technique. I don't seem to notice it when downshifting from 2nd, only when shifting to first from neutral. 📐 The stock shift linkage often lacks the mechanical advantage needed to pull the transmission into gear smoothly, especially at a standstill. Oblivious to the nuances of shifting, discover the secret to effortlessly finding neutral gear on your Harley Davidson. This article covers the most common reasons a motorcycle gets stuck in neutral; it can’t shift. The engineers over at @krausmoto designed a simple part to fix this embarrassing issue. also hear some whining anyway. (2018-2021 Softails & 2021 You requested it so here you go. Occasionally, when this happens, I'll hold in the clutch and up shift two times to try and get into second. If inference while downshifting goes undetected, however, it may result in the bike getting stuck in neutral and not shifting into first gear. Discover step-by-step instructions to engage neutral smoothly, troubleshoot common shifting issues, and enhance your riding experience. okay, i've gone over this thing with everything i got bike is VERY hard to shift, sometimes i can't even get out of 1st. I took it out for a first ride today but was having trouble finding neutral. I found an easy and simple solution to this age old Harley problem especially on the Harley Davidson M8s from Kraus Motor Co. So things like holding in the clutch most of the time made my ride short because my hands are not in shape yet. The clutch appears to be properly adjusted. Anybody else have trouble some times shifting into neutral? i heard about this piece and i ordered it to try it out. Shifting overall required more effort than I think it should have but I am unable to get into neutral. All those trans parts, just like your engines, need to break in, wear to each other and learn to slide around together. What are the causes for a hard-to-find neutral? Several factors contribute to Harley Davidson shifting problems. In some cases, warped clutch plates will prevent your bike from shifting into neutral altogether. This simple and effective upgrade is really helpful for improved shifting and finding Harley neutral. A transmission that won't stay in gear means that replacement of the gears, shift forks, or possibly the shift drum are required. It feels like Maybe 15% of the time, when I attempt to shift up from 1st to 2nd, I end up stuck in neutral or it slips back into first. I have never noticed this before and I hoping to get some feedback from other owners. Warped clutch plates are a rare occurrence that typically only happens on hard-ridden and heavily worn bikes. when the bike is warmed up and coming to a stop sign or a red light it is hard to find neutral. The bike has 2100 miles on it, changed the oil in all 3 holes at 900 miles. Also, when I test rode all models - Road and Street glides, Fat Boy, Fat Bob. Finding neutral shouldn’t feel like a guessing game. has always been annoying with everything adjusted right. 3djwfk, z2mj1m, ehfp2, 65sc, k35j6, spts, hsyd, exyh, xwvl, 4uje,