how do hard is it to replace my clutch cable on my sportster?

Answer 1

Start by getting 2 qts. of trans/primary oil and a primary cover gasket as well as your cable.
Heat the bike up and drain the primary.
Remove the primary cover keeping track of which bolts go where.
Loosen the clutch adjustments all the way and remove the cable end at the lever and then at the 'ramp' insde the primary cover.
Assemble the cable in reverse order doing the majority of adjustment at the clutch and fine tune with the cable adjustment.
Tighten the primary cover to 8 lbs add oil either 40oz. or till it comes out the 1/4 overflow hole on the rear side of the ptimary case.
Close the inspection cover,re-check adjustment on cable and go riding.

Answer 2

If you haven't done it before, they can be a pain. If you don't have much mechanical experience, it's a pain. Don't have a full compliment of handle tools, it's a real pain. Short on patience, big pain.
Spend the coin and save the headache, take it to a local wrench, even if that means an H-D dealerships.

As a footnote, anytime you own a vehicle it's a wise person that obtains the official 'Service Manual'. That's what the repair center uses when they haven't done it before or just want to refresh the mind.

Good wrenching to ya.

Answer 3

not that hard depending on what year it is the later models you just have to remove the derby cvr. and take all the adjustment out of the cable then unscrew the adjuster on the actual clutch (reverse theread) then take out the ball and ramp asembly then unscrew the cable itself. to put it back together just screw in the new cable hook the ball and ramp assembly to the cable then put the adjuster nut in and turn til it seats (resistance) then turn it back 1/2 turn then adjust the new cable out to 1/8 " freeplay put derby cvr on and go ride if older (pre 92) have to remove the primary cvr to remove the ball and ramp assembly

Answer 4

first of all dont listen to hammer he is all screwed up.... loosen your clutch adjuster on cable, remove derby clutch cover, drain fluid, loosen adjuster inside clutch at ramp in derby cover, loosen the 7/8 nut on bottom of primary that will take tension off chain, remove primary cover, remove clutch cable, replace cable, replace primary gasket, put primary cover back on making sure chain is set on tension shoe in primary, tighten bolts to 9-10ft lbs, set ball and ramp back in end of cable and slide back on trans shaft, set primary chain to 3/8 freeplay, set your clutch play at clutch basket to seat and back off 1/2 turn, fill primary/trans common sump with 1 qt or 32 ounces not till it flows out the whole hammer is talking about. take freeplay out at lever to 1/8 inch gap at lever seat and pirch, button up derby and ride. or take it to your dealership and have them do it. good luck

Answer 5

Whatever the difficulty level, it'll be easier when you have the directions right in front of you.
http://www.motocom.com/motorcycles/