HD put out service bulletin M1304 for all 07 and later twin cams which states:

"When a motorcycle is at operating temperature and in neutral, a rattling sound may be heard on the right side coming from the area of the transmission side cover. This sound is normal and is referred to as neutral rattle. To verify the sound is neutral rattle, pull in the clutch lever and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds. If the sound stops, it is neutral rattle. Neutral rattle is caused by the necessary backlash within the first gear pair."

 

Thanks for posting this up. Did not have it on my '09 96, but sure do have it on my '11 103.

Kevin

 

Just another case where HD won't face up to the situation. I had a 07 and a 09 that the neutral rattle was not obvious. I now have a 12 and I'm ashamed to put it in neutral in the presence of other riders with other brands of motorcycles because I don't want them to hear it. If every bike from 07 up did it I would feel it's normal. Pardon my rant please.

 

I noticed the "nuetral rattle" on my 2011 immediately after the first oil change when I put Mobil 1 20W-50 in all three holes. Shortly thereafter, within a few hundred miles, I changed the trans oil again this time using Mobil 1 75W-140 Gear Oil and haven't heard the rattle since.

 

I'll be putting in thicker fluid when I do the 1000 mile service. I hope it reduces the noise. I will say I had thicker fluid in my previous bikes but I never heard neutral rattle in those bikes prior to the trans fluid being changed.

 

I have redline shockproof in mine and can still hear it. Although it is quieter than when the factory fluid was in it.

Kevin

 

I get a kick out of guys who are surprised that Harleys have rattles, squeaks, shakes, etc.

~Joe

 

My 09 SG never had it, but my 2012 ltd gearbox sounds like a popcorn popper.
Only 200 miles on it, but i'm tempted to put amsoil or redline in it now. If the sound is ok then i'm fine with it, but it's pretty bad.
Funny story.
When I bought my 2006 Heritage, the Trans assembler dropped a dowel guide in it. Lucky thing it stuck to the magnet on the drain plug from the get go. Not a mark on it when I did my 1000 mile change. I almost put it back on the magnet too.
It took me a while before I figured out what it actually was. They stick them in to mate and align when the case is put together and one must have fallen in.

 

Never said I was surprised, just don't like it. I'm not new to Harley's, as I said I've had an 07 and a 09 and they didn't have any neutral rattle that I could hear. If I knew this 2012 bike would rattle like this I never would have bought it.

 

Thanks dawg for keeping us updated