Harley Trike "HARD" to find neutral problem fixed for me!

[Rooster57]

I'm new to Trike Talk forum....But I bought a brand new Harley 2016 Tri Glide last year and noticed immediately that it was often insanely difficult to find neutral....

....so I took it back to Harley Dealer who asked me when the problem occurs? ....I said, "Most of the time, and every time someones watching me trying to start the damn thing!" Dealer told me these newer trikes were hydraulic and cannot be adjusted as the older models were. Dealer continued to state that maybe it would get better with time and wear........................."IT DID NOT!"

....so, one day I was talking to a Harley Certified Mechanic at a different Harley dealer and mentioned my continuing "finding neutral" problem ....He said "oh yeah, I know about this issue and what to do to fix it." He told me to change my primary oil to Amsoil Primary Oil, and change my transmission fluid to Amsoil HD Extreme Fluid.

...I thought the dude had maybe smelled to many brake fluid fumes or something because surely Harley would have the very best fluids in a brand new bike!

So, I just disregarded his comment about the oils .........THEN, after a few more embarrassing moments of "finding neutral" at the gas stations (often after someone had complimented me on my nice ride - and was expecting a stylish crank, beastly throttle rumble and a "Cool Dude" exit!) ....Well, I'd had enough and decided to try changing these 2 fluids.....So I purchased the Amsoil products at the local Harley Dealer, went home and changed the oils.

......At first I noticed no change in finding neutral.... So, I drove the beast a couple of hundred more miles and was "SHOCKED at the difference.....I now find neutral 98% of every time I need it!" .......I understand this is a big problem with these new trikes and hopefully this info will help someone else too!!!!!

......This really worked for me. No, I don't sell these products or even know anyone that does... and maybe other fluids will work as well?

(also note: you can start engine by placing in first gear while right foot is on the brake = sales dealer didn't tell me that when I purchased the trike.)

[TGCarol]

Hi Randy. I'm so glad the change in oil fixed your problem. I have a 2016 Triglide and have an occasional problem with finding neutral when my trike is hot. Next time I bring it in, I'm thinking I'll change the Primary and transmission oil to Amsoil.

Thanks for posting .

[stacebg]

(also note: you can start engine by placing in first gear while right foot is on the brake = sales dealer didn't tell me that when I purchased the trike.)

better on the starter (on all bikes) to start in neutral

less drag

[Rooster57]

I think you'll be pleased with results....But BE SURE to use Amsoil "EXTREME" transmission fluid......Thats the key mainly to the problem and they mention it on their Amsoil website or use to......has to do with thickness I beleive..................use just their regular Amsoil Primary fluid as I dont think they have any other variation.

Good Luck!

[Thomas L]

Certainly found the "neutral" problem for my tri-glide...... Installed a Rekluse Clutch. And am loving it.

[Firewrench22]

I have occasionally had a tough time finding neutral. What works for me is going to neutral while the bike is still moving a little. Or if you are stopped, let out the clutch lever just slightly, so there is a little bit of strain on the belt. Pre-load the shifter slightly with your toe, and pull in the lever. As you release the load on the trans, it will fall into neutral pretty easily. I have a cable clutch. I don't see why this would not work with a hydraulic clutch also.

[Dirtydan]

This seems to be a problem unique to HD's. It's been like this for the 30 years I've owned different ones. Not only that but missing second on high rev starts and winding up in neutral. Happened on my 95 and 03 Ultras. A hole service manager told my you know Harley's you have to shift them twice. What a jerk. Never went back to the that dealer again

[HDB0B]

2014 31K+ miles - Syn 3 in motor, H-D Formula+ in Primary, Bel-Ray 85W-140 in tranny.

You are correct .... putting the correct GEAR OIL and the correct PRIMARY OIL makes a huge difference.

What lubrication brand you choose is your business .... glad you found what works for you!

BTW I change engine oil and primary every time .... and tranny every other time. The primary oil takes a beating!!

Bob

[rhino 2]

You's guys are searching for something that the engineers never added or thought it was necessary to add to the Harley transmission.. AKA Neutral... Many have look for it ' But very few have ever found it..Thats because there is just a tiny little space in-between First gear and air in the transmission case where neutral should be.......

[Jack Klarich]

I have run gear oil since day 1 in ALL my Harleys

Never had a problem finding nuetral

Even hot from second gear it slides right in

The shifting dogs on new harleys have been re cut for easier shifting

IMO engine oil does not bond enough or give enough cushion to the gears

[Rooster57]

Hey Thomas L.

....A rekluse clutch? I didnt know what that was so I googled it.....Wow! if I understand it right, it virtually becomes an automatic transmission so to speak? again, "WOW!"

............but when you want "Cop a little attitude!" on a fast take off, that seems like it wouldnt be the same as a quick clutch release? But I will study this further.

[Rooster57]

Hey rino2,

"Many have looked for it, but few have found" comment on the elusive Harley neutral was a great description! (and had me chuckling)

..........."You are wise beyond your years!", sir.

[rhino 2]

Hey rino2,

"Many have looked for it, but few have found" comment on the elusive Harley neutral was a great description! (and had me chuckling)

..........."You are wise beyond your years!", sir.

Thank you, But why be so formal....Just call me Rhino, And please don't call me Sir, I worked for a living.....

[Cool Inferno]

I use the heel shifter lever in order to find neutral. Was having a hard time finding neutral one time using the toe lever and a friend told me to use the heel. Since then that's what I do and its much easier. Not a perfect solution but better.

[Rooster57]

Thanks for all ya'lls advise on the elusive neutral problem.....(havent had a problem shifting into second)

....You know a week or so after buying the new trike from a Harley dealer in Dallas (I had never owned a motorcycle before)...anyway, I told the sales mgr. about the neutral issue I was having....................He just said it should get better with wear time use and said NOTHING about changing primary and transmission fluids to different brands or viscosities to fix problem.

Well, It did NOT get better....it took me months to finally figure it out and ultimately googling the problem.

...I now use a different dealer.

[Rooster57]

Thanks again Rhino.....didnt know it sounded formal....shall work on my reply skills.....I' new to this forum and not very "Cool" yet....Hell, I'm new to all forums and have never used one!

Salute!

[rhino 2]

Thanks again Rhino.....didnt know it sounded formal....shall work on my reply skills.....I' new to this forum and not very "Cool" yet....Hell, I'm new to all forums and have never used one!

Salute!

Randy........Your skills are just fine, Eventually you'll figure out my New York [Brooklyn] Sense of humor.......And if you want you can call me Bob .....

[Rooster57]

Thanks Bob.....I just forgot to look under the pictures for the first name b4 replying.

Anyway, "BROOKLYN?" ...say, ain't that the same place Trumps from? ....I think it is! ...well, if you bump into the Donald, tell him to float me a big fat loan! (I'll pay him back the next time I sees'em)

(that's kind of southern humor I guess)



Thanks again for your replies.

[rhino 2]

Thanks Bob.....I just forgot to look under the pictures for the first name b4 replying.

Anyway, "BROOKLYN?" ...say, ain't that the same place Trumps from? ....I think it is! ...well, if you bump into the Donald, tell him to float me a big fat loan! (I'll pay him back the next time I sees'em)

(that's kind of southern humor I guess)



Thanks again for your replies.

I do bump into Christie....Now And then....

[lightnin]

I hope when you "bump"into Christie it doesn't dent your ride up real bad