First gear gear hard clunk,
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: oregon
First gear gear hard clunk,
sometimes from dead stop, on 2013 fxdc, from nuetral to first gear causes a really hard and loud "clunk" sound. whats that about? any help advice is appreciated.
also often when slowing for a stop, I'll down shift to what i swear is first, because it will literally not go down any further. Even while stopped it will not go down, but then on take off, surprise! its in second gear. and then once im rolling again it will go down into first..
could these issues be related? is it shift linkage? or am i just a dip..
also often when slowing for a stop, I'll down shift to what i swear is first, because it will literally not go down any further. Even while stopped it will not go down, but then on take off, surprise! its in second gear. and then once im rolling again it will go down into first..
could these issues be related? is it shift linkage? or am i just a dip..
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,996
Likes: 417
From: Cranbourne, VIC Australia
Clunking loudly when engaging first is typical for a HD, supposedly it is slightly better in 2017 M8 models. If you are having difficulty engaging first altogether, I would suggest checking the adjustment and condition of your linkage and shift mechanism as well as ensuring your shifter is not hitting your boards if you have them. And then lastly you may need to adjust your clutch. What speed are you trying to engage first at when rolling to a stop?
Last edited by skid_pimp; May 15, 2017 at 09:21 AM. Reason: Clarification
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 148
From: Northwest
Very typical 1st gear clunk.
Now then... when rolling to a stop, I'll downshift to 2nd ( with a quick clutch pull and blip of the throttle), and then shift into neutral... while still rolling...and with clutch still in from going into neutral, I'll down shift into 1st, just before I come to a stop. Makes it easy and no loud noises.
ADD: Also, put in a nice gear lube... makes it easy to find neutral.. very easy... I use a 75/90 during colder seasons, and 75/140 when it's hot.
Now then... when rolling to a stop, I'll downshift to 2nd ( with a quick clutch pull and blip of the throttle), and then shift into neutral... while still rolling...and with clutch still in from going into neutral, I'll down shift into 1st, just before I come to a stop. Makes it easy and no loud noises.
ADD: Also, put in a nice gear lube... makes it easy to find neutral.. very easy... I use a 75/90 during colder seasons, and 75/140 when it's hot.
Last edited by archergodwin; May 13, 2017 at 05:02 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 470
Likes: 111
From: Huntington Beach
My 15 FXDB, always a loud clunk into first gear when I fire it up in the mornings or after sitting at work all day, rest of the time its usually pretty quiet and smooth. When I down shift my gears finding first or neutral are no problem but if come to a stop from 5th or 6th gear and didn't downshift then it can be a lil sloppy finding first and neutral and I'll have to let the clutch out a lil to re-align the gears and drop one or two and have to let the clutch out a lIl again and **** down into 2nd and first, this can be done while stopped and waiting at the light, it dosnt always do that but it does about 25% of the time, not a big deal since I usually always downshift. Rest of the time she's smooth as silk.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 8,680
Likes: 2,279
From: South Carolina
My 15 FXDB, always a loud clunk into first gear when I fire it up in the mornings or after sitting at work all day, rest of the time its usually pretty quiet and smooth. When I down shift my gears finding first or neutral are no problem but if come to a stop from 5th or 6th gear and didn't downshift then it can be a lil sloppy finding first and neutral and I'll have to let the clutch out a lil to re-align the gears and drop one or two and have to let the clutch out a lIl again and **** down into 2nd and first, this can be done while stopped and waiting at the light, it dosnt always do that but it does about 25% of the time, not a big deal since I usually always downshift. Rest of the time she's smooth as silk.
If I hold the clutch in when starting and hold it until ready to go into 1st I get no clunk.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 309
Likes: 33
From: Littleton, CO
I had the same clunk in my FXDC too, ended up going with Redline synthetic gear oil with Shockproof and the clunk is much much quieter.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Out West
Might not hurt to take a peek at the primary chain tensioner and make sure it's in working order/adjusted correctly.
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From: Honah Lee
Do your homework. Make sure the clutch back off is correct at the clutch behind the derby cover. Then adjust about 1/16" play at your lever. Make sure you have the correct straight weight non-detergent gear oil in there recommend by Harley (there is only one). Make absolutely sure the oil is at the bottom of the diaphragm spring when you check it after putting the correct oil in there.
For these transmissions to shift correctly, the clutch drags slightly and always spins the big cluster gear shaft. That clunk is that shaft stopping. If it is not spinning, sometimes, if the dogs do not line up, it actually will not go into gear.
To get it to totally stop spinning so you can see what I am talking about. This need to be done on concrete or rough asphalt. Put it in neutral, pull in the clutch and start it. While holding in the clutch, blip the throttle about 400 rpm and let it fall back as you either push it back with your butt or just rock it back and forth. Continue doing this till it falls off to idle. This will free up the stuck drive and driven clutch plates that get stuck with an oil film. It may take a few tries to get the hang of this with your clutch. Mine takes a good minute when started up cold. However, once broken free, it will drop in gear with no bang whatsoever, or actual not go. If it does not go, just let out the clutch in neutral, pull it back in will spin things and hit low again.
For these transmissions to shift correctly, the clutch drags slightly and always spins the big cluster gear shaft. That clunk is that shaft stopping. If it is not spinning, sometimes, if the dogs do not line up, it actually will not go into gear.
To get it to totally stop spinning so you can see what I am talking about. This need to be done on concrete or rough asphalt. Put it in neutral, pull in the clutch and start it. While holding in the clutch, blip the throttle about 400 rpm and let it fall back as you either push it back with your butt or just rock it back and forth. Continue doing this till it falls off to idle. This will free up the stuck drive and driven clutch plates that get stuck with an oil film. It may take a few tries to get the hang of this with your clutch. Mine takes a good minute when started up cold. However, once broken free, it will drop in gear with no bang whatsoever, or actual not go. If it does not go, just let out the clutch in neutral, pull it back in will spin things and hit low again.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; May 13, 2017 at 07:35 PM.
