Motorcycle Repair: 75 sporty tranny, old harleys, harley sportster

Question
I just bought a 1975 harley sportster, when I start it up, pull the clutch and put it in first gear...it jumps forward. I have the clutch in and rev the throttle and it seems like it wants to go forward. I think it might be the cable adjustment, but the guy I bought it from said that the old harleys need to have the tranny oil warm up before you ride it, and he said it may also need a shim in the tranny. I'm not sure if there is a common problem like this. any help would be great. thanks, Geoff

Answer
Yoru clutch is sticking is the problem. Has nothing to do with the trans. First, loosen the cable so you have alot of slck in it. remove the rear plug in the primary and loosen the locknut and turn the adjuster screw outward. Now push the cable back towards the primary so the clutch lever is all the way back. Now turn the clutch adjuster screw inward, just until it touches and then back out about 1/8 of a turn. Now adjust cable so there is about 1/8 inch play in the clutch lever
Good luck and happy riding
Mike