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[skorch]

I am new to the CVO and hydro clutch system,but it sure seems extremely harsh shifting into first from neutral when getting going-very loud bang.On my previous 5 bikes cable operated clutches, it was never this harsh-is this normal?

[grc]

Sounds like your clutch is dragging.  A dragging clutch never lets the trans input shaft slow down, so when a rapidly spinning part engages a stationary part, such as when you engage first from neutral while sitting still, the result is a big clunk and the bike will jerk.  This is often worse on the initial engagement after a cold start.

Make sure there is no air in the hydraulic system, as that will reduce the travel of the clutch pushrod and not fully release the clutch.  The actual travel of the pushrod can be measured and compared to the specified travel to make sure that part of the system is working correctly.

Jerry

[ultrafxr]

Sounds like your clutch is dragging.  A dragging clutch never lets the trans input shaft slow down, so when a rapidly spinning part engages a stationary part, such as when you engage first from neutral while sitting still, the result is a big clunk and the bike will jerk.  This is often worse on the initial engagement after a cold start.Make sure there is no air in the hydraulic system, as that will reduce the travel of the clutch pushrod and not fully release the clutch.  The actual travel of the pushrod can be measured and compared to the specified travel to make sure that part of the system is working correctly.

Jerry

Every Harley I've owned has had harsh engagement into first gear from a cold start.  I avoid this by starting with the bike in first gear - cold start or hot restart.  I always park it in first gear anyway.

If you are having the problem even on a hot restart or when downshifting when coming to a stop then there is some other problem.

[Pete7539]

Every Harley I've owned has had harsh engagement into first gear from a cold start.  I avoid this by starting with the bike in first gear - cold start or hot restart.  I always park it in first gear anyway.

If you are having the problem even on a hot restart or when downshifting when coming to a stop then there is some other problem.

Agree, I've only owned two of them, but both same thing. I start it the way ultrafxr does.

[hd-dude]

Starting the bike in gear puts added stress on the starter clutch. We see these fail very frequently on bikes that are routinely started in gear.

[grc]

I never start mine in gear (unless I stall it in traffic), and I don't have a problem with heavy clunking when engaging first gear, even after a cold start.  Three things got me to that place; getting ALL the air out of the system, changing the primary lube to ATF, and waiting about three to four seconds after pulling the clutch lever in before engaging first so the input shaft has time to slow down.  Unless someone designs a new trans with synchro's like those in a manual automotive gearbox, a Harley gearbox will always clunk and jerk if you let the input shaft spin as you engage first gear.  It's simple physics.  Try a simple test.  Start the bike in neutral, let it warm up thirty seconds while you don your gloves and helmet, pull in the clutch lever and give the throttle a quick blip (helps break the clutch plates loose after sitting), let the rpm's drop back to idle speed, wait a few seconds and engage first gear.  If you wait too long and the input shaft actually stops turning, you may have to slip the clutch slightly to get the dogs to drop in.  When I do this with my bike (I don't even have to blip the throttle to break the plates loose) I get no clunk at all even after the bike has set overnight. 

Jerry

[skorch]

I never start mine in gear (unless I stall it in traffic), and I don't have a problem with heavy clunking when engaging first gear, even after a cold start.  Three things got me to that place; getting ALL the air out of the system, changing the primary lube to ATF, and waiting about three to four seconds after pulling the clutch lever in before engaging first so the input shaft has time to slow down.  Unless someone designs a new trans with synchro's like those in a manual automotive gearbox, a Harley gearbox will always clunk and jerk if you let the input shaft spin as you engage first gear.  It's simple physics.  Try a simple test.  Start the bike in neutral, let it warm up thirty seconds while you don your gloves and helmet, pull in the clutch lever and give the throttle a quick blip (helps break the clutch plates loose after sitting), let the rpm's drop back to idle speed, wait a few seconds and engage first gear.  If you wait too long and the input shaft actually stops turning, you may have to slip the clutch slightly to get the dogs to drop in.  When I do this with my bike (I don't even have to blip the throttle to break the plates loose) I get no clunk at all even after the bike has set overnight. 

Jerry

Thanks for the info!  I also noticed that I can only get back to first while slowing to a stop is to either downshift while moving or work the clutch while stopped-which I never had to do with a cable-seems weird.

[hdaliaconis]

Sounds like your clutch is dragging.  All the symptoms.  If new take it back to the dealer and have the system bled. 

[ultrafxr]

Sounds like your clutch is dragging.  All the symptoms.  If new take it back to the dealer and have the system bled. 

Agree.
But I don't think I'll change my routine of starting in gear.  Maybe in neutral from a cold overningt start but from a hot restart I'll leave it in first like I parked it.  Replaced one starter on my '07 in 84k miles so I'm not all that concerned.