What RPM should I shift my Sportster?
For everyday riding, I up-shift at around 2500-3000 RPM and make sure I stay above 2000 RPM (or while cruising speed) or my Sporty starts to lug. Up-shift at around 3000-4000 RPM or a little higher RPM will give spirited acceleration and will not harm anything.
Can I shift my Sportster without using the clutch?
you CAN shift without a clutch on almost any engine. It doesn’t have anything to do with the clutch being hydraulic or not, it is a matter of matching engine speed with the gears and timing your shifts.
What causes shifting problems in a Harley Davidson Sportster?
Shifting problems as well as noises can originate from different areas inside and outside the transmission, including the shifter, linkage, clutch, primary drive and more. Adjustments can be made that often correct shifting problems without digging into the transmission. This article applies to the Harley Davidson Sportster (1986-2016).
How to check the transmission on a Harley Davidson Sportster?
Hold the clutch lever in and place the transmission in first gear with the bike at a standstill. There should be no engine power transferring to the rear wheel. Figure 1. Sportster clutch lever and cable. The fluid level is easily checked through the derby cover or dipstick on some models.
How to shorten the linkage on a Harley Davidson Sportster?
Turn the linkage sleeve clockwise to shorten the rod and decrease the amount of lever travel required to complete a shift. If you feel a gear being selected without moving the lever, you’ve adjusted the linkage to short. Rotate the linkage sleeve counterclockwise to increase the lever travel. Tighten the jam nut once the adjustment is made.
How does the shift lever work on a Harley Davidson?
The shift lever can now be used to select a gear by moving the linkage. This is connected to a shift drum/pawl assembly that moves shift forks to engage shift sleeves onto the selected gear. These parts make up the transmissions shifting operation and must be correctly adjusted/undamaged for normal shifting.
Shifting problems as well as noises can originate from different areas inside and outside the transmission, including the shifter, linkage, clutch, primary drive and more. Adjustments can be made that often correct shifting problems without digging into the transmission. This article applies to the Harley Davidson Sportster (1986-2016).
Hold the clutch lever in and place the transmission in first gear with the bike at a standstill. There should be no engine power transferring to the rear wheel. Figure 1. Sportster clutch lever and cable. The fluid level is easily checked through the derby cover or dipstick on some models.
Turn the linkage sleeve clockwise to shorten the rod and decrease the amount of lever travel required to complete a shift. If you feel a gear being selected without moving the lever, you’ve adjusted the linkage to short. Rotate the linkage sleeve counterclockwise to increase the lever travel. Tighten the jam nut once the adjustment is made.
The shift lever can now be used to select a gear by moving the linkage. This is connected to a shift drum/pawl assembly that moves shift forks to engage shift sleeves onto the selected gear. These parts make up the transmissions shifting operation and must be correctly adjusted/undamaged for normal shifting.