How to Adjust the Clutch Cable on a Harley Davidson Motorcycle

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*Always follow the instructions in your repair manual when doing repair or maintenance work on a motorcycle. Manuals can be found at the dealer and online.*
Adjusting the clutch cable on a motorcycle is important because it ensures the cable will engage and disengage the clutch correctly. In this video I show you how to adjust the clutch cable on a 2009 Harley Davidson Softail Custom. The proper free play between the end of the clutch cable or cable Ferrule and the clutch lever housing is 1/16" to 1/8".
Thanks for Watching!

[@lineshooter5w]

I like the soft tone and calm manner in which you explain things, and your video work and close ups are great. I can't stand the guys voice on "Fix my Hog" and he's loud. You helped me alot. Thanks.

[@smallengineshop]

Thanks

[@whipkrakka6958]

Simple and direct instructions. Thanks

[@faceofjayce3132]

You are the MAN! just had new bars installed with all new cables needed a clutch adjustment and found this great video! havent taken my bike out but it literally had no play i got it to a 1/16 and tomorrow hopefully i can take it for a test ride and see how she feels or see if i need to go to 1/8 on my 2012 FXDF thankyou again for taking the time out of your day to making this great video! very helpful!

[@Consul607]

Understandable, short and correct description. Thank you very much!

[@5oldschoolbcrich]

Just the info. I was searh'n for My FRIEND! I have a '97 softail custom that I had to replace the clutch lever and bracket, the manual explains it but your video was much more help believe me thanks again! This is my first Harley and I really love to do my own mechanical work.

[@jtm6969]

Nice video -- good, clear audio so that you're easy to understand.

[@smallengineshop]

+Terri Cragen Thanks for Watching!

[@robertbeck3781]

just had new bars and cables done to my 13 heritage. sure enough when I pulled it into my garage from the shop it would only go into neutral when I turned it off. watched your video, tightened it up a bit, and now it works great. Thanks for the video, easy to hear and understand.

[@jayb7667]

this video just saved me from a headache and taught me something new about my bike thanks bruh so much .....

[@braysanborn6000]

Short,sweet and to the point...no BS ....thanks

[@smallengineshop]

Thanks

[@RogueA100]

Very helpful. Thanks very much for the articulate, easy to understand instruction. Take care.

[@blacksonne19]

I replaced my levers on my 06 dyna and after I put it all back together I noticed that it would go into first gear from a stop hard, harder than normal. Watched this video and went back and made that correct free play adjustment and it made all the difference. Thanks a lot. You can't get to idiot proof with these. Love the detail. Great job keep em coming. Thanks a lot

[@MrAhhsum]

Swapped bars, replaced cable and now she clunks going from neutral to first, going to check my cable play, thanks to your directions. Hopefully it remedies my issue!

[@stjohnsriverrat7161]

Thanks so much, I have a 2006 Heritage Softail and your video was extremely helpful.

[@hatman231]

Great instruction. I put you on pause and went out and adjusted the free play. I had none at all.

[@smallengineshop]

Thanks

[@carloss619]

Excellent instructions. Very clear and simple to understand. The best I have seen of all the Ytube instructions for adjusting clutch cable.
Thank you

[@kwyatttime]

Thanks! I had my clutch switch replaced at the dealership because it wouldn't start when I engaged the clutch. I had to put it in neutral to start it. After replacing it she started fine. Then it began to behave the same way. Noticed a lot of play in the clutch handle. Viewed your video and it saved me a trip to the dealership. Thanks for the closeup, but wished you had the ruler there to show the 1/8-1/16 inch gap close up as well. Some are very visual and every little bit helps.

[@USMC-es4yy]

Simple no side BS..thanks!!

[@smallengineshop]

You're welcome!

[@johnquest1044]

Thanks a lot, just got a 2015 police RK an they had it to tight! Fixed for free from your post. Thanks Man!

[@ez2remember82]

That was a great how to. Very well explained. You learn something new every day.

[@fancypaintjobs2192]

Just what I needed to find out. Thx for the info in a well made vid.

[@timrichardson6670]

Phenomenal video, very well explained, thank you! I have one question for you, how much room should you have when you let out the clutch before it grabs, right away, 1/3 of the way, halfway out?

[@beardedbiker333]

Thanks bro, good set by step. Not just do this do that but you explained why you need to do It and do it right. Im subscribing.

[@slayqueen7310]

Awesome step by step instructions. Thanks!!!

[@smallengineshop]

Andrew Weist Thanks for watching!

[@johnnygoodlife]

Thanks for the excellent video. It really helped!

[@smallengineshop]

Thanks

[@Strapps31]

Perfect and to the point!

[@babybugspaw7085]

Thank you for sharing, not sure why I’m not able to adjust that cable, I have to adjust the nut all the way out & seems like the cable is disconnected , I have on a jack & adjusted the clutch in the primary after I loosened the cable,,,,now adjusting the cable is worse than it was, I followed all steps on the primary & cable.

[@derricklacombe2962]

I signed in just to like this video. Well done!

[@MP_TROLL]

Dude this video saved my ass today thank you so much.

[@kellyannerobertson2584]

Great video and helpful. Thank you

[@smallengineshop]

Thanks!

[@ephrammaker3153]

Excellent! Well explained and fantastic pics

[@justinhorton4697]

Are you going to show adjusting the clutch with the derby cover off and the clutch pack Exposed? Everything else was explained very well thank you

[@-MrRichBiker1967]

Awesome video...love the close up shot, very smart!!!

[@dgerjevic]

I've ALWAYS call the kick stand a "Jiffy" stand….it's just "old school" termonology from guys that have had HD scooters for a LONG time AND it does come from old literature put out from HD….Great vid!!!

[@smallengineshop]

Thanks

[@freeoutriderbrappwristente7998]

Outstanding! Great work on explaining step by step and showing both over and under adjustment examples!

[@hhyperdd]

Thanks, man, very informative and useful for us visual guys.

[@smallengineshop]

Thanks

[@CarlosAnthonyLopez]

This was very helpful. Thanks!

[@jimmansi9046]

Awesome video, thanks!

[@michaeltucker2250]

great video George easy and straight forward to under stand, rgds mike scotland

[@nickburkard6500]

Thanks solved my problem 👍

[@chrismartin500]

Old Harley mechanic told me the proper amount of free play is about a nickels worth. You should be able to slide a nickel between the cable and lever.

[@Edward-nc4oj]

All around Great video thanks

[@theeloki72]

Great easy to follow instructions. You do an excellent job in recording what really matters. Thank you

[@rickdafrog]

Thanks bud. Cool video. Problem solved

[@frank-o9409]

Great Video!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge, Save me a visit to the dealer $$$

[@canadianloon6433]

Awesome video.

[@pustuleous]

I was happy to watch this video and ready to go jump on my problem until you showed the very last clip of the shadow with the hydrolic clutch. My Suzuki Intruder 800 (with hydrolic clutch) has sat over the short winter (here in TX) and started up fine, made it to work fine and then wouldn't start. In the past it would take a couple pulls on the clutch lever to disengage clutch and safty sensor that's conected to the electric start. This time it didn't do anything. Battery is fine, the electric start just won't engage. I was hoping that the clutch just needed to be recalibrated. But now I am thinking I'll have to check the start button housing. I've also read that the clutch plates may be gummed in place. However the gears shift fine and I had no problem getting to work.. should have started it more over the winter..

[@DerickCampos]

very clear, perfect tutorial.

[@19TE72]

Thanks for the video.

[@bikersoncall]

2009 Ultra, I have no play at the clutch lever, but when I start the bike in gear
with clutch lever pulled in all the way , you can feel the drag on the starter, as the
bike almost wants to move forward, so is it time for a new clutch on my bike ,
or am I missing some other adjustment?

[@johnvalhalla5051]

Great info, thanks bro

[@twfsa2000]

Excellent instruction thanks!

[@smallengineshop]

Thanks

[@khanibrahim5947]

Should i adjust when engine is cold or hot ?

[@rockjaw11]

What do I do if I'm missing the long adjustor piece and just have a static long piece on top; the jam nut and a small adjustor on the bottom that unthreads the screw when i screw it clockwise?

[@bohdanmon]

True art in video

[@poodiepie9883]

Thanks dude

[@caypiranha1246]

can you also reduce the tension...so it makes the clutch grip easier to pull ? mine turns out to a pretty heavy tension and they wanna sell me these hydro and power clutch stuff for a whole lotta money...I mean..paying some 150 something bucks (without installation) just to have easier handling on yr clutch ? can´t be ...

[@scottburden9778]

when replacing the clutch cover bolts is it correct to use an anti-seize compound or is it correct to apply loc-tite?

[@freeman368]

Thank you for sharing

[@smallengineshop]

Your Welcome

[@tombrannon1233]

Thanks, great video.

[@eddieperez7479]

great video. Very detailed. thanks

[@smallengineshop]

Thanks

[@JackMc012552]

I'm a thank'n yah. Good demonstration. Jack

[@grzegorztomasza.5442]

THANKS A LOT ! :)

[@JDH8208]

Nice! Thanks

[@babybugspaw7085]

Yea! What Consul607 said!

[@lazywaffles]

Hey i recently got a new clutch lever and now when i switch from nuetral to 1st gear with the clutch pulled all the way in, the bike it still pulling forward, so is my clutch too loose or too tight, and which way do i adjust it? Thanks!

[@bradleyhendry8125]

have an '03 soft tail. it seems i am out of adjustment room . how do i get my adjuster adjusted? lol. does that make any sense at all?

[@raymondgriffiths7210]

bradley hendry you have to disconnect the cable, adjust the clutch itself. Then install the cable and adjust the cable.

[@KrisRowlands]

My wife just bought a 2008 XL1200 Low and the clutch lever is extremely stiff. Would this adjustment assist in the stiffness of the lever itself (if there isn't enough free play) or would we have to do the screw adjustment inside the clutch housing?

[@robertsloan831]

I'm having the same problem with my 18 heritage classic. I would also like to know if this adjustment will fix my extremely stiff shifter

[@rpc6828]

I have a question for you if the clutch cable is not adjusted properly can it damage your clutch or your transmission???

[@TBSWORLD77]

Yes.

[@ScottMcLinden]

When I have my clutch lever pulled in and start my FatBoy it feels like he wants to jump. This this mean it needs adjusting?

[@bigchungus2493]

Primary oil maybe overfilled aswell. Check that first.(I know reply is late)

[@master42900]

thank man very well done

[@smallengineshop]

LOU MAN Thanks for watching!

[@slickbb7]

hey on my Harley what is the adjuster for that is above the bttm adjuster nut it turns when tighten nut

[@domyoung36]

while i was rideing, motor stopped pulling like no clutch engagement at all, did not slip at all, would that still be a clutch problem?

[@curtisslinkard6144]

Dominic Young I had same problem just happen to me. Do you remember by chance what was wrong with your issue??? Thanks for the response.

[@yellowraven8]

THANK YOU
...I THOUGHT I HAD TO GO INTO THE DERBY COVER TO MAKE THE ADJUSTMENT

[@dont.hollarberry8370]

you set it up in there correctly and fine tune the lever this way.

[@skeetwuzhere]

Thanks bro!

[@TheDioginese]

Thank you

[@sisdavid]

I have a 05 softtail and manual calls it a jiffy stand

[@JoseRodriguez-gj9jb]

Thanks for sherin

[@BigHerb3995]

I thought the video was very helpful

[@josevalencia5145]

👍🏽

[@ashdobbs7492]

no feeler gauges are ever needed on a Harley- just pull out a ruler

[@ckpoorboy5963]

It's a kick stand bro lol

[@smallengineshop]

I always referred to the stand as a kick stand, but I found some really old Harley literature and they referred to the kick stand as a jiffy stand. I think jiffy stand was coined a lot earlier than kick stand.

[@ckpoorboy5963]

Interesting... thanks for the history

[@dromigo8131]

Comment 100

[@johncastillo3194]

thanks im alil out of ajustment

[@smallengineshop]

john castillo Thanks for watching!

[@whipkrakka6958]

Simple and direct instructions. Thanks

[@smallengineshop]

Thanks

[@leighcater5300]

Good vid helped me thanks

[@estebancabezudo]

Good job. Thanks!

[@smallengineshop]

Thanks