Downshift issues...normal?
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 366
Likes: 4
From: Ohio
Not buying it the story about Redline tranny fluid causing sludge... Many shops use this product... I have been using it in all three of my bikes with no issues and no evidence of sludge... Bike shifts flawlessly, finds neutral very easily, excellent product; highly recommend it...
Last edited by Roadglide33; Aug 5, 2015 at 10:03 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 268
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
Yeah, right...
From my own personal experience, I've learned that they'll say pretty much ANYTHING, just to sound like they know what they're talking about - which they seldom, if ever, actually do!
Last edited by jpooch00; Aug 6, 2015 at 03:51 PM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 110
Likes: 2
From: NC
I'm gonna switch out the Redline with Spectro and see if it makes a difference. It may just be the quirky six speed I have or this bike in particular. Funny thing is I think Baker recommends them both being Reline and Spectro. Probably wasting my money, but this bike will make you do that lol.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 509
Likes: 5
In AZ the Harley mechanics all note a thick pink buildup of solidified Redline inside trannys. Call it sludge or deny that it exists, whatever, but it happens. Will it cause tranny failure? Probably not. Could it cause downshift issues? Possibly.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 509
Likes: 5
That may be a little unfair to the mechanics. In most cases, they know a little more than we do that's why we pay them to do the work. Sure, they may be given to superstition and wives tales just like we are, but they do have more experience.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 268
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
You can't tell a pilot (and maybe his family) in the bottom of a smoking hole "Oh, yeah, musta missed that. Just bring it back and I'll have another go at figuring out the problem and maybe get it right this time".
If I don't know WTF I'm doing, I don't do ANYTHING, nor do I give anybody bogus advice based on anecdotal stories or superstition.
Sorry, but that's the reality of the situation for me. No BS, no excuses.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 509
Likes: 5
I've been a pro mechanic for most of my adult life - cars, trucks, and for the last 30 years, airplanes and their engines - and I don't pay those guys jack sh*t! I do all my own work and do it right the first time, every time and I know a hack "tech" when I talk to one.
You can't tell a pilot (and maybe his family) in the bottom of a smoking hole "Oh, yeah, musta missed that. Just bring it back and I'll have another go at figuring out the problem and maybe get it right this time".
If I don't know WTF I'm doing, I don't do ANYTHING, nor do I give anybody bogus advice based on anecdotal stories or superstition.
Sorry, but that's the reality of the situation for me. No BS, no excuses.
You can't tell a pilot (and maybe his family) in the bottom of a smoking hole "Oh, yeah, musta missed that. Just bring it back and I'll have another go at figuring out the problem and maybe get it right this time".
If I don't know WTF I'm doing, I don't do ANYTHING, nor do I give anybody bogus advice based on anecdotal stories or superstition.
Sorry, but that's the reality of the situation for me. No BS, no excuses.
Last edited by Dave Thorpe; Aug 8, 2015 at 09:11 AM.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 268
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
Well, I agree with you -- you're a pro mechanic and you know more about the inside of an engine than most of us. You may not wish to pay those guys jack sh*t, but most of us do pay the Harley mechanics just as your customers pay you. All mechanics have certain biases and opinions based on their own experiences (anecdotes). The mechanics around here all note a thick buildup of Redline in the transmissions. If you saw that, what would your professional opinion be? Also can you tell me if the red dye they put in Redline serves any purpose other than to make people feel good about their special oil?
I don't know what the sludge that the techs are reporting is made of but I would have to think that if it's an actual problem, then any issues it causes would have been beaten to death on this and other forums. Redline's been used in all kinds of trannys for a LONG time with no apparent problems.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 509
Likes: 5
Not exactly a Harley application, but here's something on Redline:
REDLINE SHOCKPROOF There are concerns about using REDLINE SHOCKPROOF type gear oils inside manual transmissions. While this is truly an excellent product, it has been found that the heavy Teflon-like particles are quickly centrifuged out of the oil and will build up inside the center diff housing and around the synchronizers and inside of the gearshafts. After several oil changes this build up may block oiling passages inside the gearshafts that lubricate the needle bearings and can reduce the overall effectiveness of the synchronizers, leading to poor shift quality. ( http://www.teamrip.com/images/EVO%20...6_build-up.jpg ) Also this oil is has too high of a viscosity for winter use. Therefore we do not suggest using SHOCKPROOF in the transmission unless the transmission is to be serviced often or a dog box.
http://www.teamrip.com/manual_transm...tion_info.html
REDLINE SHOCKPROOF There are concerns about using REDLINE SHOCKPROOF type gear oils inside manual transmissions. While this is truly an excellent product, it has been found that the heavy Teflon-like particles are quickly centrifuged out of the oil and will build up inside the center diff housing and around the synchronizers and inside of the gearshafts. After several oil changes this build up may block oiling passages inside the gearshafts that lubricate the needle bearings and can reduce the overall effectiveness of the synchronizers, leading to poor shift quality. ( http://www.teamrip.com/images/EVO%20...6_build-up.jpg ) Also this oil is has too high of a viscosity for winter use. Therefore we do not suggest using SHOCKPROOF in the transmission unless the transmission is to be serviced often or a dog box.
http://www.teamrip.com/manual_transm...tion_info.html