I have less than 400 miles on my CVO.


Ok,,, On the 2017's I read that the Transmission is also a newer design.
Yes, the Dreaded Neutral to 1st Gear Clunk is gone,,, but once at operating temperature just cruising, no matter what RPM's I shift into 2,3 or 4th gear it clunks louder than my 2013 Ultra or 2005 RK did...
Is this because I used Bel-Ray Gear Saver Hypoid 85W140 in my other bikes and this CVO has Syn3 in the tranny?...
Shifting into 5th & 6th gear, no noise...

 

The 1st gear clunk is still alive and well in some of these bike. Mine definitely has it. I also have pretty firm shifting throughout the gears. I am currently using 75W-90 Gear oil but will be switching to 75W-140 on the next change. The thicker oil does make shifting smoother in my experience with previous bikes.

 

I and thousands of owners out there prefer the pink stuff. Been using RedLine Shockproof Heavy in every Harley big twin transmission since the early 80's and can report excellent, quieter shifting and running.
The added benefit is the color. Develop a leak and immediately know where is came from. Pink? Tranny. Any other color? Primary.
Bob

 

Our 2017 Tri Glide tranny is the best shifting tranny to date in any Harley we have owned. There are more opinions on fluids to use in the Harley tranny than there are stars in the sky. Pick a good tranny fluid/gear specific oil and stick with it. With that said get the Syn 3 out of the tranny... I do not know why Harley recommends or puts that oil in there CVO trannys. Syn 3 is a decent motor oil but not the best tranny fluid though it works.

As said you will get a million recommendations, pick your medicine. I personally run Spectro Platnium 6 speed specific 75/140 Syn tranny fluid (recommended and designed for Baker high performance transmission). This product has worked superbly for me now for several years in the Harley 6 speed trannys.

Also 75/140 or 75/90 weights in syn oils or 85/140 or 80/90 weights in conventional gear oils brands like, Lucas, mobile 1, Amzoil, Belray, Red Line gear oils and other brands do a fine job-pick your medicine (a gear specific oil). Again in my humble opinion and personal exsperiance get the Syn 3 out of your tranny.

Ride Safe,
Bill G

 

I haven't experienced any clunk in any gear yet. My shifting is smooth through the whole range of gears. If it continues I would ask your service guys to have a look at it when you take it in after the break in period and failing that, change to a heavier weight gear oil as others have mentioned above.

 

My 2017 Road King does the same. It is pretty quiet when cold but shifts into 2 and 3 are real clunky when warm. I only have 600 miles on it so maybe after 1st service it will change

 

Hyd clutch, pump it once before dropping into first = never a clunk. Get your timing right on your up-shifts, like butter. Learn what the bike wants and adapt yourself. Love the clutch, love the trans, Love this bike.

 

If it clunks a lot, it's probably because it's new. Give it a few thousand miles.

Same trans as before by the way, just with an little added anti-rattle (scissor) gear attached. In time, it's going to act and sound practically the same as years before shifting wise.

 

I use formula+ in the tranny and the primary with good results.

 

Well the tale is in the Dipstick reading... For the hell of it I decided to check my new bikes transmission oil level,,, had to add 6 oz to get the proper level on the stick...