Downshift issues...normal?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 267
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
Oh. Yep, that's a no no.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 267
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
Most likely what's happening is that the clutch dogs in the tranny are moving at very close to the same speed and are just taking a second or so to line up. Every bike I've ever had would do that occasionally when slowing down for a stop and getting behind on downshifting thru the gears, including my new Limited.
If that's what's going on, there's nothing to worry about. It's just a design quirk that's present in essentially all motorcycle trannies.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 509
Likes: 5
I have owned many Harleys and not once have I ever experienced difficulty downshifting multiple gears during one clutch pull except for 1st gear that requires a very slow speed. For all the other gears, if you have trouble downshifting on one clutch pull, something is wrong.
Last edited by Dave Thorpe; Aug 9, 2015 at 12:49 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 366
Likes: 4
From: Ohio
Oh, I knew that you didn't do that. I was just giving a lame example.
Most likely what's happening is that the clutch dogs in the tranny are moving at very close to the same speed and are just taking a second or so to line up. Every bike I've ever had would do that occasionally when slowing down for a stop and getting behind on downshifting thru the gears, including my new Limited.
If that's what's going on, there's nothing to worry about. It's just a design quirk that's present in essentially all motorcycle trannies.
Most likely what's happening is that the clutch dogs in the tranny are moving at very close to the same speed and are just taking a second or so to line up. Every bike I've ever had would do that occasionally when slowing down for a stop and getting behind on downshifting thru the gears, including my new Limited.
If that's what's going on, there's nothing to worry about. It's just a design quirk that's present in essentially all motorcycle trannies.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 254
Likes: 13
From: Stanwood, WA
I was in downtown Seattle a few weeks ago and had some issues not being able to downshift all the way to 1st. I was wondering if it had something to do w/ the hills I was on because as soon as I was on flat ground. I didn't have any issues that I can think of.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 110
Likes: 2
From: NC
Well, I switched out to Spectro 6 and I'm definitely gonna stick with it. It's smoother with less 1st gear clunk. I have not had any downshifting issues at all since the swap. I've got 250-300 miles of mixed riding on it and I'm pleased. YMMV, but I like it. It's pricy but I don't put a ton of miles on my bike. If you are itchin to try another trans fluid out give it a shot.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 401
From: Port Coquitlam B.C.
When you're downshifting are you taking your foot completely off the shifter between shifts? Both this bike and my old 06 SuperGlide would not go all the way down through the gears unless I took my foot completely off between shifts. I assumed it needed to do this in order for the shift dog to grab the next gear. I doubt the brand of oil would make much of a difference.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 110
Likes: 2
From: NC
Yes, I'm shifting this thing correctly. Been riding HDs for 15 years. I have no idea why I have had this issue a few times. Rode it again last night and the fluid change is definitely not placebo. Definitely shifts smoother all the way around. I use redline in my diffs in my diesel and Jeep. Also use it in the Jeep trans, so I know they make great products. For the HD six speed I think I'll stick to the Spectro.
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