Motorcycle Repair: sportster 1st gear slips, clutch adjustment, clutch

Question
QUESTION: i have the same problem as these folks who better sum it up.

both me & my wife have sportsters bought new in 2001 - around 5000mi they both started to slip, clunk in 1st gear maybe 1 out of every 6 take-offs, the dealer replaced the 1st gear in mine and the 1st & 3rd in my wife's. now I have 15000mi and she has 11000mi and both bike's are having the same problem again. the dealer tech says some models have this problem every 5000mi. has anyone heard of this or any info from HD about this?

Hi there,
I’m from Brazil and I’m looking for a help at hdtalking to find a solution for my bike as well. I have a 2000 883 Custom and it seems to be the same problem that you have been dealing in your bike.
Sometimes the first gear appears to slip…but it happens just sometimes, only in the first gear and it doesn’t matter if I’m accelerating a lot or I’m just throttling a bit.
How did you manage to fix this problem out? Was it just a clutch adjustment?
this is my dilemma too. thanks craig





ANSWER: When you say is slips, do you mean it pops out of first gear or when you have it in first gear the motor revs up and the clutch slips?
Mike

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: it doesn't pop out of 1st gear. it is like it jumps after letting out the clutch. only now and then. kinda like it skipped a tooth,but very intermittenly.

Answer
If it skipped a tooth is would do it all the time and skip thoughout the RPM range while you are in 1st gear. It sounds more like a clutch problem. Makse sure the clutch is adjusted correctly. If it still does it then you will have to pull the clutch apart and do an inspection.
I have never heard of a trans problem that occures every 5000 miles. As long as the gears are installed correctly and spaced correctly you should have any problems
Good luck and happy riding
Mike