How To Harley Davidson Sportster Clutch Adjustment 

Thanks Rocco, you're my go to guy for my Sportster maintenance.

If you own a Sportster, and you pay Harley Davidson to do ANYTHING at all to it instead of utilizing this amazing resource then just sell your bike. Thanks to Rocco and his very detailed work I have taken my entire motorcycle apart of the years for one reason or another, was able to find oem and aftermarket parts and doing the work myself, ultimately saving me at the very least $2k in service. Thank you, Rocco. They should name a bike after you.

Thanks again Rocco! I could not afford my year 2000 Sportster 1200 without your channel

Rocco, I got the clutch being how it should! Thanks so much for your expertise.... and patience w/newbies like me! Ride safe!

You make easy, what so many give the appearance of serious difficulty. Thanks brother.

Another great maintenance video. Thanks Rocco

Hey Rocco i just found your channel, it's going to be my go-to video manual for when i get my sportster in the next couple weeks. thanks man.

That was perfect. Worked like a charm. Thanks!

Next month I'm replacing clutch plates and getting an idea on adjustment of cable, thank you for video 👍🏼

kool thanks for another good vid rocco ... glad the storm went by you down there .. †

Excellent video I've done it reading my manual everything was the same as you've done it!

Hey Rocco it’s Jonny on my wife’s account (gasoline in bathroom sink dude) thank you so much this worked perfectly with the inner carb adjustment my carb was way too tight but now it’s a bit loose gonna slightly tighten it now Bc it had way too much power when taking off but thank you so much - Jonathan Santorelli

Thanks told me exactly what I was needing to know

thanks for the video Sr, greeting from Mexico

I have learned do much from you thanks for all your hard work sir

I truly like your videos

Thank you for these videos

You aren’t kidding about lining up square on the torx bolts on the derby cover. This is the first time I have removed it on my 2005 and someone at some point nearly stripped one of them. (The one behind the peg with mid controls) Otherwise a simple maintenance item that could easily become a hassle if you rush. Thanks for making this!

Thx for all yr help buddy

very enjoyable video thank you

Great video thanks!

Hiya Rocco, just to let ya know got the bike back .. what they found was that whoever changed the clutch last time forgot to out the throw out bearing retaining ring back in so the bearing ended up disintegrating and caused all the issues I was having. But now it shifts smooth, no more GI Joe Kung Fu action grip needed to engage the clutch 😁👍

Great info

Thanks Rocco!

Thank you Rocco for this info that the H.D. manual does not .

hiya Rocco, update on my clutch problem... well got the bike into HD, they opened it and found that whoever had installed the clutch left out the throwout bearing retaining ring (at least this is what they told me).. this allowed everything to tighten up on its own (explains the 6 turns into the clutch on the adjustment screw) and caused the clutch pack to wear out and then everything began to rub on the adjustment screw housing essentially cutting a groove into it and weakening the housing and they told me that when the adjustment screw let go, it caused damage to the clutch basket so.... long story short ... ( lol already too long =D) 1500.oo to get her back on the road. new clutch pack, basket throwout bearing, cable and cleaning / adjustment. =/ (guess thats what I get for buying a used bike) =/

Just put my new handlebars on my 2008 Harley sportster , bike rode perfect before I installed the bars (previous owner had tall ape hangers) and I threw on bars that are about 6-7 inches lower than previous height ! Clutch seems to engage and disengage just fine but now when I shift into 5th gear the bike will just rev without gaining any speed (feels powerless but only in 5th gear ) . Any help is much appreciated

Will this be the fix if you aren’t getting enough clutch. Like in gear it still wants to go while clutch. Is engaged. And neautral is hard to get sometimes. And somtimes it takes extra force to switch gears?

Thanks so much Rocco! I am about to open mine up and check the level. I recently changed fluid in it, but I am smelling some burn off from somewhere. It could be fuel/oil, but it's a different smell. It's stronger when I shift. Still shifting fine, but it's also been a while since I have looked at this particular adjustment. I use a Pan-am oil especially made for sportster primary's. Anyways, what does this adjustment accomplish?

Hello Rocco, couple of days ago..while going up hill..all of the sudden..I lost gear/slipped..and could not go further up.Didn't know what could have caused that..but after calling a friend..he suggested..to check the clutch cable..brought me the wrenches needed to get me home..at least..was able to make adjustment on the cable and was able to get it to gear and got home safe... Yesterday I changed the primer oil..used 20/50 synthetic oil..adjusted the clutch by the engine (steps from your video helped)..and 1/8th of play on the clutch handle.. But , now when I put it on 1st gear..it screams horribly as I put it in gear from Neutral....Not sure if I have to redo the whole thing again..open the derby cover and adjust on both ends?? Thanks

Hey Rocco, thanks for the videos. I've changed my first battery and done a clutch adjustment all thanks to your videos. I would like to know though, what brand of torque wrench set are you using here? I'm new to motorcycle maintenance and want to set myself up well.

I have a 2007 sportster 1200 nightster. In first gear with clutch fully in its jumping forward. Do you think a clutch adjustment would fix this issue ?

What pipes is on that sporty 1200? Sounds awesome

Is that grease not going to hurt the inside of that or does it break down in the oil serious question I want to know first time Harley owner

I have a 2005 Sportster 1200XL that pops out of first and into neutral sometimes when I go from a start. All other gears are fine. Could this be a clutch issue?

Hi Rocco my 2010 HD sportster xl 1200 c clutch is slipping. I Gas the crap out of it, it revs high but does not match the amount of gas I'm giving it ANY SUGGESTIONS PLS

Hi Rocco, what is the purpose of the adjustment at the clutch hub? I put on a new clutch lever assembly and made adjustments to the clutch cable but now am having a little trouble finding neutral when the bike is running…

I got clutch cable for my 2000 Harley sportster xl1200 said was 52 3/4 inches even tho I kept measuring 55 old cable on bike but Harley n Google said otherwise got new cable the 52 3/4 it's shorter than original so we still got it to fit but had to run it above foot pedal instead under all connected but when try to put in 1st it makes crazy sound from the circle primary cover we have adjusted few times n still same issue what did we might have done wrong

Hey Rocco..just to share not sure why but. on the previous adjustment when I turned counter clock wise by the hub..I did not feel any tension or touch as you mentioned. ..it was way loose..I had to continue to go counter clock wise a whole turn around before I can feel tension ?...(How was it running when it was that loose)?... and once I felt the tension I set it as your video to three and quarter turn.. I will attempt another adjustment tomorrow morning..as I mentioned earlier on..Thanks

Hey Rocco, will be reaching the 1000miles service soon. Is this service , something I can do my self or should I bring it in to shop...Kind of short on the change if you know what I mean....Thanks to you I know how to change oil , filter and primary fluid.., adjust clutch , change the carburetor..and spark plugs I haven't attempted....please advice. thanks & God Bless

Hey Rocco can you do a video on throttle cable installation? thanks for another awesome video.

What would cause the clutch to not disengage until the lever almost hits the grip when both the adjustment under the cover and at the lever are correct? 2006 1200L

Can a bad adjustment make it feel like my clutch is burnt just had plates put in

Brilliant easy video, thanks 👍🏼 just a quick one, say someone set the threaded screw behind the Derby cover to be really tight and snug; like tightening a bolt etc, what effect would that have? Just out of curiosity

Thanks a lot mine just about didn't make it home

Would this help with a stiff clutch?

When will you know it needs adjusting. Thanx watch all your vids

Hey bud I have got a 2000 Sportster the clutch has seemed to have gone all the way out on me I pulled the clutch all the way in and the bike does not want to sit still it's partially engaged I'm not a mechanic I really don't even know what I'm doing I tremendously need some help super bad friend I wish it was the way you could call me and walk me through what needs to be done it's a very expensive mistake if in the event I make some mistakes and I cannot afford that so I'm trying to avoid that can you please correspond with me friend please thank you

terrible video

Rocco, what was the name (type) of that grease you used on the clutch adjustment; nd list any other lubricants you use on you bike, thanks...