Shifting

[haute pursuit]

My FLRT only has about 400 miles on it so far, but when shifting, the audible metal to metal noise is extremely noticeable. Both down and up. Is this normal? Is it just that tight new?

[Springman2007]

My FLRT only has about 400 miles on it so far, but when shifting, the audible metal to metal noise is extremely noticeable. Both down and up. Is this normal? Is it just that tight new?

Is this your first Harley? I have to tell you that you and the folks next door can always hear a Harley shift.... In fact that auditable "Clink" has always been something I love about Harleys.....its very hard to miss a shift with one..... and, new HD transmission whine like the dickens......

With the above said. A factor in how your trans will sound is the type of lub/oil you use in it. HDs Syn makes for very loud operational noise - on the other hand, Bel-Ray can make the trans very quiet. And, there are many makers of trans fluid out there.

I have to confess I use HDs to keep it simple. But, I think other here can give you advise on alternates.

Finally, if your in doubt, being a new trike take it to your dealer and ask - never hurts and its probably a quick trip.

Besides, if something does develop (I hope not), then your on record for reporting it.

Springman

[rhino 2]

If it don't clunk it ani't a Harley..... That said if it will make you feel better let your dealer check it out... Cant hurt. I had a Honda 929 and when i dropped it into first you would have though i hit the case's with a hammer, My Victory also shifts loud ,And thats a sore point on most Victory Forums also...

[LadyonaMission]

Worse than the audible metal to metal noise is not hearing anything. Yesterday my shifter became disengaged, so I was stuck in first gear. I got off of the road, managed to get it to catch, tightened it up and rode home. It didn't fall off, like the one on my 2003 Road King, so at least I didn't have to go looking for it.

The bad part is I now have my toe shifter 1/4 inch from the floorboard and I have to do a high step to use the heel shifter. I am not brave enough to pull it off and start over, so off to the dealer I will go.

[J.T.M.]

As I have told others, you bought a Harley, Harley make all kinds of noises. That is the reason we run loud exhaust, it helps to cover up the clatters, raddles, clunks, ticks. Just make sure the dealer makes a note about all the noises when they service it then you are covered if something goes wrong. After a while and some miles you will learn to enjoy the HARLEY noises.

[HDB0B]

Put real gear oil in the transmission. I use Bel-Ray 85W-140 Hypoid gear oil. (28 ounces for wet change) There are many other Harley transmission specific oil brands available to use.

Bob

[haute pursuit]

HaHa... thanks guys. Just wanted some assurance that clanking noise was supposed to be there!

[Gone2Three]

If it don't clunk it ani't a Harley.....

Yep, like he said!

[LadyonaMission]

I read a suggestion someplace on this site to hold your clutch in for about 10 seconds before shifting when you have been parked for a while.

Works for me. I also tell myself that I need to find that post and thank the poster, but I can't find it.

[Jack Klarich]

My FLRT only has about 400 miles on it so far, but when shifting, the audible metal to metal noise is extremely noticeable. Both down and up. Is this normal? Is it just that tight new?

The M8 clicks in gear the change is nice

I run belray in the tranny and formula plus in the primary

[rhino 2]

Just a late suggestion on my part...But;
The OP might be changing gears a tad too low in the RPM range, Or slow shifting........ie; Clutching then shifting , Instead of doing it simultaneously...

[DK Custom Products]

Clunking is normal, it can be reduced by having a properly adjusted clutch, and by using Redline Heavy Shockproof oil in the tranny. I also found that by running Syn3 in the primary there is less of a clunk, and smoother clutch engagement.

But if it is a metal to metal sound, I would check the fluid level in the transmission. Many years ago I got my bike back from the dealer with NO fluid in the transmission...they forgot to put it in!

Kevin

[FleshWound]

I rode Suzukis before I bought my FW. When I shifted the FW, I thought something was broken. My Suzi 1100 barely made a sound when shifting. After owning the Harley for a year and a half, I've concluded Harley needs to give first time owners two lists: The first list is titled "They All Do That" and the second is "There's a Trick to It".

[Bill G]

As said by others a clunk in normal. My 2015 Freewheeler on the other hand shifts very smooth with a minimal HD clunk. I believe it's because I run Spectro Platnium 75/140 six speed specific synthetic tranny fluid. This prouduct is recommend by Baker racing transmissions and is rather pricey (around $20.00 per quart). I run the recommended amount of Formula plus in the primary. (My Freewheeler was 6 oz low in the primary from the factory new. I always double checked everything just as soon as I got home when new). The Freewheeler has a hydraulic clucth no manuel adjustment. I also run this same set up on my 2016 Dyna Street Bob with the same smooth results with minimal HD clunk.( Also on the Dyna the clutch is adjusted to spec).

I would never run HD Syn 3 in the tranny no matter what anyone tells you. It's ok in the primary but HD Formula Plus is better and is also a much better product on the newer style Harley compensater. (HD Formula Plus is one of the better primary fluids out there).

A good 75/90 or 75/140 gear oil is good in the tranny also the HD Formula Plus is a pretty good tranny fluid. Just don't put HD Syn 3 in the tranny I don't care if this goes against the grain of some folks beliefs. I have seen to many issues over time with HD tranny because of HD Syn 3 being used in the tranny. (Why Harley recommends this can be done I don't know and is beyond me).

Ride Safe,
Bill G

[Rudy K.]

I hadn't ridden in over fifty years but got the urge again and bought a 1992 Goldwing 1500 trike. Everything has been going fine until to day. Put it in reverse and pulled out of the garage. Got on the road and had no trouble shifting into first and second. Have a heel toe shifter and when I tried to upshift nothing happened. Couldn't feel any engagement.

Downshifting and shifting to first, second and reverse, no problem. Above second gear, nothing. No tension in shifter. Just feels like it isn't doing anything.

Any suggestions?

[Jack Klarich]

The hydaulic clutch can be made adjustable

I have it figured out if anyone wants to know

IMO the MOCO did a half DONKEY on this 1

The clutch should have been made adjustable @ the designing stage BUT the bean counters saw a cash cow for an upgrade JMO

[nucseal]

The hydraulic clutch can be made adjustable

I have it figured out if anyone wants to know

Curoius minds want to know. Please tell.

Nuc

[MDO]

At my 1,000 service in CA, the dealer put in HD Syn 3 & my trip back to St. Louis it ran cooler & shifted better. At 3,750 miles, I changed to Lucas 20W-50 full synthetic high performance motorcycle oil in all 3 holes & the improvement in shifting was immediate. Also, the engine operating temperatures dropped 20 degrees.

I am glad that I made the switch & I like having the same oil everywhere. I am using the HD 5 micron oil filter. Looking at the specs, it's 1 of the better ones out there.

Just my opinions.

[Burnerboy]

Sound like were ALL agreeing that synthetic oil, makes the best choice to use in our motorcycles, instead of the regular brand oil?? Am I correct in "thinking this??

Ronnie

[HDB0B]

I hadn't ridden in over fifty years but got the urge again and bought a 1992 Goldwing 1500 trike. Everything has been going fine until to day. Put it in reverse and pulled out of the garage. Got on the road and had no trouble shifting into first and second. Have a heel toe shifter and when I tried to upshift nothing happened. Couldn't feel any engagement.

Downshifting and shifting to first, second and reverse, no problem. Above second gear, nothing. No tension in shifter. Just feels like it isn't doing anything.

Any suggestions?

Wrong forum for Goldwing question.