Clutch Adjustment Or Other Issue Question

[sikatri]

The other day I went for a short ride, about nine miles. At the end of the ride at a stop I had difficulty getting it into first gear. It happened twice. At home I started reading up on checking the free play. Today I went to look everything over and as I sat on the bike I put it on so I could see the lights. Tried getting into first and it wouldn’t go. Worked the clutch lever adjuster and it seemed to go into gear. I turned it on and the minute I put it into first with the clutch lever pulled in it stalled. Fooled around with it some more and at one point the neutral light wasn’t coming on even when the bike was obviously in gear. Anyway, very perplexing and I wanted y’all’s thoughts on what I should look into. I don’t know if my fiddling made it worse or what. I’m not really clear how the free play works and at this point which place I should adjust first. Looks like the shift lever adjustment is already pretty far out. Here’s a few pics close to what it was before fiddling. I only tried adjusting the hand shift lever.

Y’all’s thoughts appreciated. I’m hoping I don’t have to start opening covers yet. Could a switch be faulty or is it clutch adjustment or other?

 

[sikatri]

I don’t recall hearing any huge popping sounds at anytime. So I am a bit lost as to the sudden clutch issue.

 

[Vector]

Without using the clutch can you get it into first, N and back? If so does the N light come on?

 

[sikatri]

Without using the clutch can you get it into first, N and back? If so does the N light come on?

Yes. I turned the ignition in the on position and went from neutral to first and repeated several times. And I rocked it in first to see it was in gear.

 

[Vector]

Sounds like you need to do a full clutch adjustment not just a cable adjustment.

 

[sikatri]

Sounds like you need to do a full clutch adjustment not just a cable adjustment.

Okay. That means adjusting the nuts at the cover? Sounds hopeful though. Do I need to do anything inside the cover or is the adjustment all outside at the linkage?

 

[Vector]

Okay. That means adjusting the nuts at the cover? Sounds hopeful though. Do I need to do anything inside the cover or is the adjustment all outside at the linkage?

I never needed to do anything more than a cable adjustment on any of my NTB's, I know on HD you need to pull the side case. Sorry, I nor longer have a Triumph service manual.

 

[sikatri]

I never needed to do anything more than a cable adjustment on any of my NTB's, I know on HD you need to pull the side case. Sorry, I nor longer have a Triumph service manual.

Thanks. I’ve got a few manuals. It doesn’t sound like I have to do anything but screw the lever adjuster fully in and do the adjustment at the shift lever mechanism by backing off the nut. I’m still a bit unclear, but at least I have a direction to go. Thanks.

 

[Vector]

Thanks. I’ve got a few manuals. It doesn’t sound like I have to do anything but screw the lever adjuster fully in and do the adjustment at the shift lever mechanism by backing off the nut. I’m still a bit unclear, but at least I have a direction to go. Thanks.

You can do it.

 

[sikatri]

Going to recheck it today. Adjusted it last night at the case mechanism with the adjuster at the shift lever screwed in.

 

[sikatri]

This the amount of free play. I’ll measure it today.

 

[sikatri]

I’m cautiously optimistic I figured out how to do the adjustment. Learning.

 

[sikatri]

With no hands on clutch lever.

With slight hand to point of resistance. There might be slightly more play. This looks close to 2 mm. Might be about 1 mm more there. Hard to photograph and do the lever at the same time.

 

[sikatri]

The video shows the movement clearer. I’ll test everything today once my morning chores are done.

 

[Vector]

I enjoy working on them almost as much as riding.

 

[sikatri]

I enjoy working on them almost as much as riding.

Same. Grew up working on cars, but motorcycle mechanics is a bit new to me. I enjoy it though. Going to check everything out later today and if it looks okay take it for a short “test” ride. LoL.

 

[Vector]

Same. Grew up working on cars, but motorcycle mechanics is a bit new to me. I enjoy it though. Going to check everything out later today and if it looks okay take it for a short “test” ride. LoL.

Enjoy the ride, I'll be bike less for about a week starting today, but it will be 105F all week so I'm not missing much riding...LOL

 

[sikatri]

I went through the gears in the garage and everything seemed ok. Took it out for a short spin and it worked fine. I at least learned the basics of clutch adjustment and free play. I’ll see if it needs a tweek still, but it seemed to shift smoother and even going to first from second was smooth.

 

[sikatri]

A clearer pic of the free play gap.

 

[Vector]

Good job