Adjust Your Clutch Every 5000 Miles?

By Mark DiPietro

Question for Fix My Hog I know the manual says to adjust your clutch every 5000 miles but if it is working fine is this necessary? My shifts are fine and finding neutral is not a problem.

Via Email

Fix My Hog Answers Although your clutch may be functioning correctly, adjusting it according to your specified maintenance schedule is important for the longevity of the clutch/clutch assembly. There will be wear on a clutch after 5k miles.

July 28, 2016 – Harley-Davidson has issued a recall on 27,232 model year 2016 motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the clutch master cylinder may lose the ability to generate enough lift to disengage the clutch, especially if the motorcycle has been parked for an extended period of time. When the engine is running and the motorcycle is in gear, if the clutch cannot be fully disengaged, the motorcycle may move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

The affected motorcycles include certain model year 2016 Electric Glide Ultra Classic (FLHTCU), Electra Glide Ultra Classic Low (FLHTCUL), Ultra Limited Low (FLHTKL), Ultra Limited (FLHTK), CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), Street Glide (FLHX), Street Glide Special (FLHXS), Road Glide Special (FLTRXS), Road Glide (FLTRX), Police Electra Glide (FLHTP), Road Glide Ultra (FLTRU), Fat Boy S (FLSTFBS), Softail Slim S (FLSS), and CVO Softail Pro Street Breakout (FXSE) motorcycles.

Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the clutch master cylinder for the presence of gas in the fluid, if so, the dealer will flush the clutch system and rebuild the clutch master cylinder, free of charge. The recall began July 25, 2016. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 800/258-2464. Harley-Davidson’s number for this recall is 0169.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888/327-4236 (TTY 800/424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Related Fix My Hog Videos:
Clutch-Primary-Adjustment

Have more questions? Check out our Q&A index page to find some answers.

Share tips, start a discussion or ask one of our experts or other students a question.

Make a comment:
characters remaining

7 Responses to “Adjust Your Clutch Every 5000 Miles?”

  1. gandy

    Hi. I'm Gandy. My question is , does the 200/55/17 rear tire fits my FXSTD Deuce without making any modification?

  2. John

    I have a 2001 FLHTPI 8000 miles after the bike is hot I have trouble getting if back into first gear any suggestions. Tryed adusting the free play not realy making a difference.

  3. Mark

    I have a 99 superglide screaming eagle. Shifts fine no problem getting in neutral but makes a racket changing in every gear

  4. Rick

    Is there anyway to adjust clutch on a 2011 VROD muscle,(hydraulic type) ? This thing only has 6K on it,& not hot rodded or ridden incorrectly Clutch lever feels high but clutch doesn't seem like its slipping

  5. Harold Jones

    I have a 2008 Harley Street glide with a CSC trike conversion. I have 2 questions the first is mine has the mechanical reverse in the tranny and it appears to be leaking from the outer gasket. How big a job is it to repair I checked it and it is not over full that was the first thing someone else said. The other is I appear to have some wobble in the neck bearings . If I hit a small bump in the road at slow speeds it goes crazy side to side and you really have to hang on and almost stop to get it to stop any suggestions?

  6. Larry

    Should I service (change) the trans. fluid every time I service the engine?

  7. JD Reid

    I was just signing up. I thought it was necessary, which I guess it is but only if I wanted to enter a discussion.