Motorcycle Repair: Shifting problem when the bike is running and not moving, hd oil, wet clutch

Question
I have a late 1984 FXRS. Wet clutch, 5 speed, EVO motor, chain driven.

It has less than 35,000 miles on the odometer. (What is with the red 1/10 mile indicator?). I am having a problem shifting through the gears when the bike is running and not moving. When the bike is off, shifting is smooth as silk. When the bike is running it is hard to shift up or down and I can only find neutral when rolling.

I put the bike up on a lift and adjusted the primary and clutch to the HD service manual. I have also checked the shifter pawl, in third gear, to make sure that I have equal play on both sides. Put new HD oil in and the problem was not fixed.

I put the bike back up on the lift and popped the top off the trans and pulled the shifting forks and shifter cam assembly out and did an inspection. To my untrained eye it looked like forks/cam where in good shape. So I put it all back in.

Pulled the derby cover and placed a straightedge across the face of the diaphragm spring and all looked well there too. I redid all the adjustments. Problem still not fixed.

When the bike is running and I have the clutch cable pulled all the way in it feels like there is still a slight drag on the clutch maybe. Clutch cable is in good shape. What is the next thing I should check or redo?

Thanks for time and answer.


Answer
You are not having a problem with the trans. For years all harleys have had this problem. When the bike is running it relys on some movement to change the gears. The gear need to slide and rotate at the same time. I ride a 98 harley and if I stop at a light in 5th gear, unless I rock the bike I have trouble downshifting. Generally, if the bike is not running you have the same problem. So I am surprised that you can shift it.
Happy holidays
Mike