Can't find neutral while engine running

[Toomuchstuff]

So I just finished putting a rebuilt evo motor in my custom softail.   I took it out for a first ride today but was having trouble finding neutral.   Shifting overall required more effort than I think it should have but I am unable to get into neutral.   As soon as I shut the engine off, i can pop it right in neutral. 
I adjusted the clutch cable and pushrod as well as checked the primary chain tension several times.   

Any ideas on what I am missing or not thinking of?

[xlfan]

Too much fluid stuff in primary?

How much and what kind are you using?

[Toomuchstuff]

The primary was dry so I put in a quart of dextron type atf.  The level seems to be about an inch below the primary adjustment plate opening. 

[jsachs1]

There is an adjustment on the left side of the trans. case, nut and stud, that you make with the trans. in 3rd gear. If that was disturbed, or any work done in the trans.  , you may need to re-adjust it.
John

[JW113]

What year Evo? I just went through this myself, can read all about it in the General section. I have a '92 with a '98/later clutch and primary housings. I had also dumped in a quart of fluid. That is too much for a '98/later. 24oz is the correct amount. You need to pull the derby cover and look where the fluid level is on the clutch basket. If the fluid is higher than the bottom of the clutch basked with the bike sitting upright, it's too full and guaranteed to drag as you are describing.

-JW

[thumper 823]

First off it is an art, serious.
If your clutch is slightly warped, slight dragging most people will pop it in neutral just as they stop.
Aftermarket clutches belt drives etc solves this congenital problem.

But I guess I should have said in the beginning -make sure your clutch is properly adjusted

[Hossamania]

How old is the cable, make sure it is not collapsing. Stainless braid is much less prone to that.
Check your throw out travel.

[FSG]

custom softail

OK what gearbox is in the thing ?

[Toomuchstuff]

The bike is a custom.  Its titled as a 2000 but I don't know what year lots of the parts are.   It's a harley 5 speed but not sure what year primary is on it.   I drained out the primary bnb oil and put in 24 oz.  It didnt change.  I ma wondering if it has aftermarket clutch plates that doesn't work well with atf. 

Thanks for all the great responses so far. 

[xlfan]

Do check the shifter adjustment as mentioned above!

And make sure the oil level is below clutch basket when straight up.

[Toomuchstuff]

I didnt check the shifter adjustment yet.  Do I have to pull the primary to do that?

[xlfan]

No

[Hillside Motorcycle]

Sounds like a little clutch adjustment, and you should be good.

[xlfan]

How did you adjust the cable slack and pushrod?

[Toomuchstuff]

I did the adjustment by the book.  I slacked the cable, turned the adjuster in until i felt a little resistance then backed off a half turn.   Then locked the locknut and adjusted the cable to a few millimeters of freeplay. 

[Hossamania]

Try adjusting again. Adjust with the drivetrain cold. I like to "bounce" the pushrod a few times before doing final set. Make sure the rod isn't moving out of adjustment when locking the nut.
How old is the cable? Make sure the clutch handle is all the way out when adjusting the rod.

[Racepres]

I did the adjustment by the book.  I slacked the cable, turned the adjuster in until i felt a little resistance then backed off a half turn.   Then locked the locknut and adjusted the cable to a few millimeters of freeplay.

That is Not correct for the Most Part...
First and foremost... where does the Cable go ? to a lever or straight into the Cover??

[Toomuchstuff]

I did the adjustment by the book.  I slacked the cable, turned the adjuster in until i felt a little resistance then backed off a half turn.   Then locked the locknut and adjusted the cable to a few millimeters of freeplay.

That is Not correct for the Most Part...
First and foremost... where does the Cable go ? to a lever or straight into the Cover??

I don't understand the question.  I measured the freeplay in the cable by pulling the cable housing away from the mount.  The gap is about the thickness of a nickel. 

[Racepres]

I did the adjustment by the book.  I slacked the cable, turned the adjuster in until i felt a little resistance then backed off a half turn.   Then locked the locknut and adjusted the cable to a few millimeters of freeplay.

That is Not correct for the Most Part...
First and foremost... where does the Cable go ? to a lever or straight into the Cover??

I don't understand the question.  I measured the freeplay in the cable by pulling the cable housing away from the mount.  The gap is about the thickness of a nickel.

At what point??? with Ball and ramp, I set Cable freeplay at ramp engagement... with the lever [older] type... the Lever position must be established first out of the box, so the throwout "fingers" are in the Correct orientation...
the Service manual directions Must Match the Trans/clutch being adjusted...
again
where does the Cable go ? to a lever or straight into the Cover??

[Hossamania]

To b clear, Racepres is asking where the cable engages on the transmission.

[Toomuchstuff]

To b clear, Racepres is asking where the cable engages on the transmission.

Thanks.  I understand now.  The cable goes into the cover.  There is no lever.

I never claimed to be the sharpest tool in the shed

[Hossamania]

So back to my original question, how old is the cable?
I also had problems with grooves being worn into the hub and basket from the plates and steels, this caused my clutch to drag.

[Racepres]

To b clear, Racepres is asking where the cable engages on the transmission.

Thanks.  I understand now.  The cable goes into the cover.  There is no lever.

I never claimed to be the sharpest tool in the shed

Ball and ramp..
Loosen Cable all the way.. adjust the Ball and ramp such that the clutch is disengaged, ... set cable play,
then adjust Ball and ramp.. slightly off Contact...

[Hossamania]

Interesting, I do the opposite. Loosen cable all the way, set the pushrod 1/2 to 3/4 turn, then set cable play.

[Racepres]

Interesting, I do the opposite. Loosen cable all the way, set the pushrod 1/2 to 3/4 turn, then set cable play.

Think very carefully about What you are trying to accomplish... Try it... you'll like it..
Only on Ball and Ramp Set-up...