Putting trike in neutral

[osudvm]

Does anyone else find it difficult to get your Trike into neutral? My 2009 Ultra Classic was the same way. When trying to put into neutral I go up/down, up/down, on and on until I finally find the sweet spot for neutral. Seems that Harleys are just frustrating for this function. If everyone else finds it easy what are you tricks? I am not a novice rider but this neutral shift thing is very frustrating. Thanks

 

[Koolbreeze]

Too much lubricant in the primary. Should only cover the bottom of the clutch pack. See the service manual for line of where the lube should be.

Many times folks put too much in and it causes issues with finding neutral. I put about 28 oz in my 2019 when I change it. Depending on the model year and type primary cover it can be a little more or less.

 

[rhino 2]

Does anyone else find it difficult to get your Trike into neutral? My 2009 Ultra Classic was the same way. When trying to put into neutral I go up/down, up/down, on and on until I finally find the sweet spot for neutral. Seems that Harleys are just frustrating for this function. If everyone else finds it easy what are you tricks? I am not a novice rider but this neutral shift thing is very frustrating. Thanks

If you have a heel shifter......When at a stop in first Clutch in ...Very gently tap it with your heel...

But technically Harleys 'DON'T' have a neutral, There is just a very small air space where neutral is hiding....:laugh:...

 

[GARYD]

I have yet to be able to get into neutral easily on any Harley I've ever owned (9).

 

[Jack Klarich]

Try adjusting your clutch, see this link with a good pictoral

https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/how-to-adjust-a-motorcycle-clutch-on-a-harley-big-twin

 

[trikermutha]

Oil,Adjustments does help finding neutral much easier. Also the RPM's,and Chain tension will help too.

 

[rhino 2]

Oil,Adjustments does help finding neutral much easier. Also the RPM's,and Chain tension will help too.

Easy is another one of those relative terms UJM bikes don’t need any magical fluids or adjustments to find neutral every time it’s just a Harley Davison idiosyncrasy I had five new ones over the years and they all have their quirks as far as how to find neutral Henry Ford was quoted as saying any color as long as it’s black Harley Davison is any transmission as long as you can’t find neutral

 

[rhino 2]

Oil,Adjustments does help finding neutral much easier. Also the RPM's,and Chain tension will help too.

Easy is another one of those relative terms UJM bikes don’t need any magical fluids or adjustments to find neutral every time it’s just a Harley Davison idiosyncrasy I had five new ones over the years and they all have their quirks as far as how to find neutral Henry Ford was quoted as saying any color as long as it’s black Harley Davison is any transmission as long as you can’t find neutral........

 

[Fearless]

Clutch adjustment And tranny oil

I 'm by no means a certified Harley Tech. From my experience a professionally adjusted clutch and top rated tranny oils are an absolute necessity. Two years ago is the last time I had it adjusted. Still working great :good: good luck Fred

 

[osudvm]

Too much lubricant in the primary. Should only cover the bottom of the clutch pack. See the service manual for line of where the lube should be.

Many times folks put too much in and it causes issues with finding neutral. I put about 28 oz in my 2019 when I change it. Depending on the model year and type primary cover it can be a little more or less.

Well I bought it with 6800 miles on it and have not adjusted anything. I would think that the Harley dealership would have done the correct adjustments when they inspected the bike prior to selling it. Oops, I forgot, most dealerships probably don't check their resale bikes. HeHe This bike so far has not had the oil migration issue. My next service is at 10,000 miles so maybe they can check all of these adjustments then. Thanks to all of you for your input. Nice to know that it is not my inadequacies keeping me from getting into neutral easily.

 

[MontgomeryLittle]

Well I bought it with 6800 miles on it and have not adjusted anything. I would think that the Harley dealership would have done the correct adjustments when they inspected the bike prior to selling it. Oops, I forgot, most dealerships probably don't check their resale bikes. HeHe This bike so far has not had the oil migration issue. My next service is at 10,000 miles so maybe they can check all of these adjustments then. Thanks to all of you for your input. Nice to know that it is not my inadequacies keeping me from getting into neutral easily.

All good info here. As far as what year you got not real sure. But since it's 6800 miles I assume its the new motor (M8). Not sure to much on the hydraulic clutch adjustment, I don't have a manual for mine yet. Not 100% but I think my 2018 Street Glide was 28 ounces in the primary. I did one change at 1000 miles on it and traded it at 5000 for the 2019 Tri-Glide. Never really had no issue with it getting into neutral.

Also with out posting the long post I was going to, I'd check the primary fluid level or drain it and add what the book says. Had issues with this in the past with older bikes. In one such case putting the correct amount of oil in the primary cured my wifes problem with finding neutral.

 

[ultrafxr]

Guys I'm telling you the secret is to use the heel shifter. I know, I know some folks don't like it but I gotta say I can't ride without my heel shifter . . . and I use an extended lever to give me more space on my footboard. I've had 9 different Harley touring models all with heel shifter and have never ever had any problem finding neutral on any of them. Now trying with the toe shift lever is a totally different experience . . . and not a good one.

 

[Zammy]

Once I changed the tranny oil to Red Line with shockproof at the 1,000 mile mark, I have had no trouble finding N. In first, just a light heel tap will get it, and I can even hit N from second gear with a really light toe tap.

 

[MontgomeryLittle]

Guys I'm telling you the secret is to use the heel shifter. I know, I know some folks don't like it but I gotta say I can't ride without my heel shifter . . . and I use an extended lever to give me more space on my footboard. I've had 9 different Harley touring models all with heel shifter and have never ever had any problem finding neutral on any of them. Now trying with the toe shift lever is a totally different experience . . . and not a good one.

I use heel shift 95% of the time on my bikes. My toe shift is set to the point you can't get your toe under it. Toe down heel up. All of

my bikes, trike. 6 currently owned, 3 have them 3 do not. I won't count my wifes Tri-Glide, she's a different creature. Only reason the other 3 don't have heel shifters are one's a Sportster (1983 XLX) and the other two are PanHeads (1950, 1960). My '71 Shovel has a heel toe shift, but it's a solid bar, so you can't really off set it like the others. My '95 Evo was the first I could adjust heel and toe shifters. And it made a difference as far as "jamming" into gear but good quality oil in the tranny and primary seemed to help as much as anything.

I agree I like my heel shifter. I'd be looking to add one if I didn't have one.

​

 

[osudvm]

All good info here. As far as what year you got not real sure. But since it's 6800 miles I assume its the new motor (M8). Not sure to much on the hydraulic clutch adjustment, I don't have a manual for mine yet. Not 100% but I think my 2018 Street Glide was 28 ounces in the primary. I did one change at 1000 miles on it and traded it at 5000 for the 2019 Tri-Glide. Never really had no issue with it getting into neutral.

Also with out posting the long post I was going to, I'd check the primary fluid level or drain it and add what the book says. Had issues with this in the past with older bikes. In one such case putting the correct amount of oil in the primary cured my wifes problem with finding neutral.

Sorry, I forgot to mention the year. It is a 2019 and warranty ends in Feb 2021.

 

[rhino 2]

Sorry, I forgot to mention the year. It is a 2019 and warranty ends in Feb 2021.

I have a 19 also.......Like i said before ....Very lightly tap the heal shifter cluch pulled in and in first gear....Very lightly almost no audible sound when the neutral light comes on..

I only have about 3 hundred miles on it...But this isn't my first rodeo with Tri-Glides.This is my third one....

 

[Fearless]

I have a 19 also.......Like i said before ....Very lightly tap the heal shifter cluch pulled in and in first gear....Very lightly almost no audible sound when the neutral light comes on..

I only have about 3 hundred miles on it...But this isn't my first rodeo with Tri-Glides.This is my third one....

I must have missed something Bob did you swap out the slingshot? for a Tri... Fred

 

[rhino 2]

I must have missed something Bob did you swap out the slingshot? for a Tri... Fred

Yea, A little while ago' Wife wanted it out of the garage it took up too much room, And my Sons won't drive it...And then there wasn't any traction in the rain. I had it for two years and only put on 12 thousand miles what with all the rain in the last two years...Also i missed the Motorcycle feel...I would look for more excuses but at the moment i can't think of any........

 

[Fearless]

Yea, A little while ago' Wife wanted it out of the garage it took up too much room, And my Sons won't drive it...And then there wasn't any traction in the rain. I had it for two years and only put on 12 thousand miles what with all the rain in the last two years...Also i missed the Motorcycle feel...I would look for more excuses but at the moment i can't think of any........

Congratulations I knew you really have a bar and shield .... heart. Fred

 

[Gone2Three]

Congratulations Bob! ... The Slingshot curse has been broken :Joker3:

Not to hijack the thread, you'll have to tell us about it on the late night....