The clutch, clutch cable and lever are all on the rider's left side.
Harley-Davidson recommends that the clutch be adjusted on all 2008 models during the initial service at 1,000 miles, again at the first 5,000-mile minor service and every 5,000 miles after that. The entire process takes the novice mechanic about an hour. After you have done it a few times, the chore will generally take less than 20 minutes to accomplish. Performing this service at regular and frequent intervals will prolong the life of your clutch and clutch cable. It will lessen the effort you must use to squeeze your clutch lever, and it might save your life.
Instructions
1. Elevate your 2008 Harley-Davidson on a motorcycle jack just high enough so that the bike sits upright and level on the jack, rather than leaning left on the jiffy stand.
2. Spray cable lubricant into the boot that covers the cable adjustment assembly. This assembly is covered by a black, rubber boot in approximately the middle of your clutch cable. Pull the rubber boot up to uncover the cable adjuster lock nut and the cable adjuster nut.
3. Loosen both the cable adjuster lock nut and the cable adjuster nut. The lock nut is the larger of the two. When the two nuts are completely loosened, the clutch lever will be almost completely slack.
4. Pull the rubber sleeve away from clutch lever to expose the top of the clutch cable. Spray or drip cable lubricant into the sleeve and down the cable. Wait 30 seconds, then repeat.
5. Remove the three Allen screws that secure the derby cover to the primary chain case. Mark the exact location of the derby cover with a marker.
6. Remove the three Allen screws that secure the derby cover to the primary chain case. Mark the exact location of the derby cover with a marker.
7. Loosen the locking nut in the center of the clutch with a socket wrench. Separate the clutch plates by tightening the center adjusting screw with an Allen wrench.
8. Loosen and re-tighten the adjusting screw. Back out the center adjusting screw one full turn.
9. Hold the adjustment nut in place with your fingers while you tighten the locking nut.
10. Adjust the cable adjuster nut until there is no more than 1/8-inch of free play in the clutch lever. Re-seat the boot at the top of the clutch cable where the cable meets the lever.
11. Immobilize the cable adjuster nut while you tighten the cable adjuster lock nut. Re-cover the adjustment assembly with the cable adjuster boot.
12. Check the level of the primary fluid in the primary case. The fluid should just touch the bottom of the clutch plates. Add fluid as needed.
13. Smear Teflon paste on the threads of the derby cover screws. Reinstall the derby cover with a new derby cover gasket.
Tags: cable adjuster, derby cover, clutch cable, adjuster lock, cable adjuster lock, clutch lever