How Do I Know If My Harley Clutch Is Bad?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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To tell if your motorcycle clutch is bad, you’ll need to look for signs such as

unexplained high revs and lowered gas mileage

. Other signs of a bad clutch may also include a stuck clutch lever, hard shifts accompanied by a clunking sound or jerk, and difficulty getting the motorcycle to shift gears.

How long does a clutch last on a Harley?

Typically you can expect your a motorcycle clutch to last

between 20 000 and 60 000 miles

. A clutch that is often slipped in the friction zone and that is not properly maintained may need replacement after as little as 5 000 miles, while many riders do well over 100 000 miles on the original clutch.

How do I know if my clutch pad is bad?

  1. Slipping. This is exactly what it sounds like. …
  2. Burning smell. A burning smell many times goes hand-in-hand with a failing clutch. …
  3. Noises. …
  4. Sticky or stuck pedal.

How do I know clutch needs replacing?

  1. Spongy, sticking, vibrating or loose clutch pedal when pressed.
  2. Squeaking or grumbling noise when pressed.
  3. Ability to rev the engine, but poor acceleration.
  4. Difficulty shifting gear.

How do you check a motorcycle clutch?

To tell if your motorcycle clutch is bad, you’ll need to look for signs such as

unexplained high revs and lowered gas mileage

. Other signs of a bad clutch may also include a stuck clutch lever, hard shifts accompanied by a clunking sound or jerk, and difficulty getting the motorcycle to shift gears.

How much does it cost to replace clutch?

The cost to repair a clutch can range

between $500 to $2,500

. It really depends on the car. Performance cars, exotic cars, and European cars are more expensive to replace the clutch than Japanese economy cars. Four wheel drive vehicles cost more than two wheel drive vehicles.

What is considered high mileage for a Harley?

For larger bikes,

50,000 miles and up

is considered high motorcycle mileage. But before you write off any models, consider that a properly maintained bike can last well past 100,000 miles! That’s why it’s important to think about the whole package, rather than motorcycle mileage alone.

Is 25000 miles alot for a Harley?

For sports bikes,

25,000 miles can be a lot

. Harley-Davidson® motorcycles are built to last much longer. … Some sources say “average” motorcycle use is between 2,000 and 3,000 miles a year, with mileage on touring bikes in the 5,000 to 6,000 mile range.

How many miles will a Harley 103 last?

I absolutely say the 103 will run you well past

150,000 miles

. Keep it serviced as others say and ride on. Oh wait, you will have to replace the comp a time or two during the 150,000 miles, but the engine will hang in.

Is a new clutch expensive?

As mentioned, the average clutch replacement cost will be

$1,200 to $1,400

. Of this figure, the parts usually cost $700 to $750, with labor accounting for $500 to $650. Depending on where you live, however, the average clutch replacement cost may drop to closer to $800.

How long does a clutch last once it starts slipping?

A clutch should last for

60,000 to 80,000 miles

. But if it’s been abused and slipped during its lifetime, that distance might be halved.

What does clutch slip feel like?


Squeaking or unusual grumbling noise when pressure

is applied. Difficulty changing gears. The clutch pedal sticking, vibrating or appearing to feel spongey or loose. Poor acceleration but still having the ability to rev your engine.

Is it worth replacing a clutch?

It’s tempting to find a way to complete the work yourself and avoid some of the cost. While we may recommend this for other repairs, a

professional should always complete a clutch replacement

. The clutch is very important and a substandard repair can make your car dangerous to drive.

Can I replace my clutch myself?

If you are sure that your clutch has worn out beyond repair then

you can potentially replace the clutch yourself at home

. It is possible, but it is a relatively lengthy and complicated procedure. There are several fiddly steps where there is a wide scope for things to go wrong.

How long does clutch last?

Most clutches are designed to last

approximately 60,000 miles

before they need to be replaced. Some may need replacing at 30,000 and some others can keep going well over 100,000 miles, but this is fairly uncommon.

Do Harleys break down a lot?

Harleys break down for several reasons. A major reason is

the predisposition of Harley owners to modify their motorcycles excessively

. Often, people perform these modifications without expert guidance and cause problems for the bikes later on. There is also the failure of Harley owners to maintain their bikes properly.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.