Motorcycle Repair: 1984 FXRT (first year evo) 18,000 mi, clutch disks, clutch system

Question
Hi Mike,
My problem is my clutch cannot be set up to allow me to find neutral while running. I have set up my clutch exactly as you recommend.The clutch is dragging at that point, neutral impossible. If I loosen the adjustment to where the clutch is free enough to find neutral, the clutch slips. The clutch works smoothly with no grabbing or chatter.Removing the derby cover I find the clutch system is running in about 1 1/2 inches of oil. I assume this is normal in that the oiling diagram shows engine oil going to the primary chain case and being removed from there back to the reservoir.   Should the clutch run in that much oil? Does the oil act as a "fluid drive" so to speak making the clutch to drag? Are the discs swollen from absorbing the oil? A longer clutch handle throw would solve it. That would require some machine work and a harder squeeze which is hard enough already.I'd like to solve this without buying a new clutch. I'd sure appreciate the benefit of your experience on this!

Ben Hagar

Answer
The clutch disks run in the oil, so yes they have to have oil to work the clutch.
When trying to find netural, there is a very small space on the shifter drum that netural is located. So at times you find your self going back and forth from first to second, trying to find netural.
Changing to clutch wont solve the problem. All the coutch does it let the trans freespin.
About he only thing you can do is remove the top cover of the trans and check the shifter drum and the shifter dogs for wear to see why its so hard to find netural.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike