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90 Sportster clutch cable loosens at highway speeds.



Its been a while since I bought the last round, and this one is on me.

I have a problem thats kicking my a$$. My clutch cable looses all
tension in the lever, and flops to the grip after riding at highway
speeds for 10-15 miles. I have adjusted the clutch cable as per
instructions in the service manual, and the cable holds fine until I am
at highway speeds for at least 10-15 miles. The last 3 mornings I have
had to stop the bike after exiting, and adjust the cable. The clutch
does not drag, or slip. I have no idea why this occurs. I was thinking
that maybe the spring that hold the locknut is maybe worn. The spring
is used to apply pressure to the locknut, and therefore not allowing
that adjuster screw to unscrew, therefore allowing the cable to loosen.
Looking at the sping, and seing how tight it sits in the "Cover", I
have a hard time believing that may be the cause.

I have done many searches, and I have failed to come up with something
I am going through. Any help or advise would be great.
I wonder if this is one of those Sporty's that the clutch hub splines wear
out on? Is this a 4 speed model? If so this is probably your problem. Pull
the primary cover and see if the clutch flops around on the mainshaft.
What happens is the clutch flops and wears out the adjuster buisness and
lets it de-adjust.

The other scenario is that you are missing the second part of the adjuster
that keeps it from turning. There should be a thin nut like gizmo that has
flat sides in the center hole that is put in place to stop the adjuster
from turning and the spring holds it in place. So you remove the lock
gizmo make your adjustment then replace the gizmo to lock the adjuster and
the spring holds the gizmo in place.
Hex on the outside , round with flats to engage the flats on the adjuster
screw and a short sleeve section that fits inside the spring . If that piece
is missing , it will let the screw back out of adjustment . If it is worn ,
it can let the screw turn too ...
Well a update.

I checked the Adjuster Screw Nut that is on the Adjuster screw, and it
was worn down. This was what caused the adjuster to unscrew. I replaced
the nut, and I am back on the road with one less worry.

Drinks are on me.


On worn clutch hubs/splines , they usually manifest themselves by
grenading the magnets/stator on the back - and spreading abrasive magnet
chunks into the tranny . There is a *temporary* fix to take up some of the
slop , a sleeve machined to fit snugly between the hub and clutch gear ,
behind the splined area of the clutch gear . The sleeve helps , but the only
sure cure is an aftermarket clutch shell with a thinner magnet . Which
reduces your already marginal charging capacity . All 86-90 4 speed chain
drive Sportsters are subject to this problem .
Thanks for the replies. This is a 4 speed chain drive. It looks like I
will have my hands full one of these weekends.