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My 2023 Fatboy 114 shifts and drives effortlessly except when I start the bike cold and press the toe down for first gear. I get a very loud thunk as if I sheared a pin or pushed a brick off a step. I can shift into 1st before starting, but this slows the start just a bit.
At the 900 mile oil change, I filled the primary case up to the bottom of the circular opening while on side stand.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Last edited by berfatboy114; Jun 28, 2024 at 12:36 AM.
Way over filled primary. The oil level should just touch the clutch basket while vertical. If the bike is on the jiffy stand with the derby cover off, oil should not pour out, maybe just a dribble.
I mis-read that you filled on the side stand. So not way over filled, but probably still a little over filled. Get it vertical and use a flashlight to see the oil level at the bottom of the clutch basket. It should just touch.
At the 900 mile oil change, I filled the primary case up to the bottom of the circular opening while on side stand.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
If you put more that one quart in the Primary case, it's over full. Also, what weight of oil did you use? If it was 20-50 or Primary case oil you're good to go. If it was gear lube (75-90 or 75-140) that's way to thick.
Second thing to look at would be the clutch adjustment. If the clutch is dragging a little, it will make the clunk loud and extremely violent.
My 2023 Fatboy 114 shifts and drives effortlessly except when I start the bike cold and press the toe down for first gear. I get a very loud thunk as if I sheared a pin or pushed a brick off a step. I can shift into 1st before starting, but this slows the start just a bit.
At the 900 mile oil change, I filled the primary case up to the bottom of the circular opening while on side stand.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
That's not the right level or the right way, and is probably too much.
As mentioned, bike upright, just to the bottom of the clutch basket.
As for the clunk on the first shift into gear, I hate to say it, but they do all pretty much do that.
You might get it reduced by holding the clutch lever back against the grip for a few seconds.
And, you wouldn't be remiss to make sure the clutch is properly adjusted.
I got a 2023 fatboy and will get the loud clunk when shifting to 1st gear when 'cold' too..
Someone on here said to blip the throttle once and it'll shift smoothly into 1st... tried it
and it works...
also like others said 'they all do that', adjust the clutch cable or clutch, fill the primary
to the proper level while bike is level.. could be the answers to this issue.
My 2023 Fatboy 114 shifts and drives effortlessly except when I start the bike cold and press the toe down for first gear. I get a very loud thunk as if I sheared a pin or pushed a brick off a step. I can shift into 1st before starting, but this slows the start just a bit.
At the 900 mile oil change, I filled the primary case up to the bottom of the circular opening while on side stand.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Primary Overfill. Also adjust your clutch to 1 full turn out.
You fill the primary while vertical to the bottom of the clutch plate discs.
HD's Formula+ primary fluid also improved finding neutral.
Thank you all for the help and advice on proper oil in the primary. But one more question if I may........
I just saw a guy on YouTube also known as "Doc Harley" who fills his primary when the bike is vertical and on a lift. I have always worked on my Harleys while on the side stand. It seems this might make a difference.
I also think I might go with crank case oil instead of the heavier gear oil. Was told bike runs 4 degrees cooler if using heavier gear oil. Don't know what to believe?
I just saw a guy on YouTube also known as "Doc Harley" who fills his primary when the bike is vertical and on a lift. I have always worked on my Harleys while on the side stand. It seems this might make a difference.
Might be why all of us have said to do it with the bike vertical.
Cold engine first gear clunk can be completely avoided by pulling the clutch lever and holding it at the grip for 5 seconds before putting it in 1st. It should go in silently.
Don't do this on a warmed up engine, it can cause a clunk when everything is warmed up. For a quiet easy shift into first from neutral , the whole idea is to have the transmission input shaft not spinning at idle speed speed while the output shaft is stationary when you are stopped.
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Fatboy Shifting Problems
