Help with Transmission clunk noise?
04-09-2012, 05:32 PM
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Palm Coast,Fl
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Help with Transmission clunk noise?
I just recently purchased a 2010 Harley Street Glide w/ approx 6,000 miles on it. Yesterday I went for a nice ride and put about 200miles on it. While riding after about an hour and a half I noticed while shifting both up or down it was making a louder clunk noise vs a smooth shift sound. Idk exactly how to explain it.
So 2 minutes ago I started it up and just rode around my neighborhood shifting through the gears and didn't notice it at all.
I am curious if this noise was from the fluid being so warm that it looses some of the viscosity and therefore I hear a louder noise. Any and all input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
04-09-2012, 05:39 PM
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Glendale AZ
Posts: 10,216
It's typical with the breed, I've actually found the clunk to get quieter as the fluid gets hot. I can tell if someone hasn't properly warmed up their bike before putting it into first by the loud hard clunk. It's normal, don't sweat it.....just enjoy.
04-09-2012, 05:43 PM
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 1,951
Congrats on the new ride. Welcome to the noises of Harley. I have come to terms with most of the noises and consider it a song that the bike is singing. Yeah, the clunk goes with the territory. You can do a search and find what others have done to minimize the noise.
04-09-2012, 05:46 PM
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Palm Coast,Fl
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ok just making sure that it's fairly normal. I figured so. I heard about redline something that was suppose to make it shift smoother,quiter and run cooler. 20w60
04-09-2012, 06:23 PM
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Black Hills
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
Some folks use heavier oil in the tranny to quiet it; I use SYN3 and have not seen any negative issues with regular maintenance.
04-09-2012, 07:44 PM
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Riverside, Ca.
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
The harley tranny is stout but archaic on todays standards. Clunk means it's working. It's much clunkier than my 71 triumph was if that tells you something. My rk is an 07. Mine get louder as it warms up.
04-09-2012, 08:17 PM
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I believe the brand of fluid helps. My 08 Fatboy would clunk into 1st (which I still think is such a cool noise - Soooo Harley!) but my 01 RK doesn't clunk hardly at all. RK has the Redline, the FB would be the Revtech synthetic.
04-09-2012, 08:23 PM
Join Date: May 2011
Location: California
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
Did it have the 5K service? Did you check the fluids when you took possesion? When I get a new to me ride, cager or bike, I like to change the fluids and start fresh with fluids I know are fresh.
I happen to use AMSOIL.
What were you riding before this bike?
04-09-2012, 08:26 PM
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Socialist Republic of the USA
Posts: 11,232
Likes: 0
My 01 Road King quieted considerably when I put in Lucas synthetic. Your bike may like something else better. Good luck!!!
04-09-2012, 08:30 PM
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,342
i don't worry so much about brand,type is more important gearlube in the gearbox is what i always say.any good heavy synthetic gearlube.clutch adjustment can make a world of difference,its very touchy and small adjustments make big difference.