Engine and Shifting Question . . .
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
From: NH - Why not Minot, ND
Engine and Shifting Question . . .
No need to go into a long drawn out, "I'm new to HD's" thing here. It's self evident (especially due to these questions);
Info: 2008 Super Glide Custom, S/E Stage 1 A/C, Fuel Pack and V & H HS Slip ons.
1. Is it normal for the top end of the engine to sound like it's tapping? Not pinging, tapping. Had the windshield on today, and seemed to notice it more around a steady 35 mph, in 3rd. Don't usually have the windshield on for short trips, but the winds were almost 30 mph today...
2. I can't remember from last year, or before I changed out all my oils and adjusted the clutchfor the 1k service... I do remember the 1st gear clunk, but have noticed that I get a clunk, going through every gear, from 1st to 6th, and then again back down from 6th through 1st. Is that normal?
3. This one doesn't have anything to do with the other two, but was curious if anyone else has experienced the following: I hit 1,300 miles today (I know, not even close to being "truely" broken in yet), and noticed that all of the sudden, towards the end of my ride, that the bike seemed to be "loosened up". Not a bad loose, actually, it felt very good. Everything seemed to "all of the sudden" be working in 100% synchronicity (correct word usage???). I didn't even notice the mileage until I got home. Could it have just been that she was running at a good operating temp? Maybe it was just me, with a cleared out mind, enjoying my "girlfriend"??? I don't know. Just wondering if this has happened to anyone else...
Info: 2008 Super Glide Custom, S/E Stage 1 A/C, Fuel Pack and V & H HS Slip ons.
1. Is it normal for the top end of the engine to sound like it's tapping? Not pinging, tapping. Had the windshield on today, and seemed to notice it more around a steady 35 mph, in 3rd. Don't usually have the windshield on for short trips, but the winds were almost 30 mph today...
2. I can't remember from last year, or before I changed out all my oils and adjusted the clutchfor the 1k service... I do remember the 1st gear clunk, but have noticed that I get a clunk, going through every gear, from 1st to 6th, and then again back down from 6th through 1st. Is that normal?
3. This one doesn't have anything to do with the other two, but was curious if anyone else has experienced the following: I hit 1,300 miles today (I know, not even close to being "truely" broken in yet), and noticed that all of the sudden, towards the end of my ride, that the bike seemed to be "loosened up". Not a bad loose, actually, it felt very good. Everything seemed to "all of the sudden" be working in 100% synchronicity (correct word usage???). I didn't even notice the mileage until I got home. Could it have just been that she was running at a good operating temp? Maybe it was just me, with a cleared out mind, enjoying my "girlfriend"??? I don't know. Just wondering if this has happened to anyone else...
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 3
From: Palm Beach
RE: Engine and Shifting Question . . .
1. Mine does that too. Sounds like a sewing machine.
2. Mine does that too. I finally stopped worrying about it a month ago after a few posts on this forum.
3. Mine didn't start running real well (loosened up), all the time,until about 2500 miles. (my second oil change)
I am no expert... but just tellin you what I experienced. I am told that all of these are normal. [sm=trust_me.gif]
2. Mine does that too. I finally stopped worrying about it a month ago after a few posts on this forum.
3. Mine didn't start running real well (loosened up), all the time,until about 2500 miles. (my second oil change)
I am no expert... but just tellin you what I experienced. I am told that all of these are normal. [sm=trust_me.gif]
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
From: NH - Why not Minot, ND
RE: Engine and Shifting Question . . .
I appreciate you taking the time to read what was supposed to be short and sweet, but turned out long and drawn out.
Also, I thank you for relaxing some of the nerves I've been having.
The topic's been beatin' to hell, I know... Sorry guys. I searched around all the sections, and there always seemed to be those one or two guys that posted thatsome of thiswas bad. Thought I'd getthe poopfrom those I've come to trust.
Also, I thank you for relaxing some of the nerves I've been having.
The topic's been beatin' to hell, I know... Sorry guys. I searched around all the sections, and there always seemed to be those one or two guys that posted thatsome of thiswas bad. Thought I'd getthe poopfrom those I've come to trust.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 2
From: Southwest OHIO
RE: Engine and Shifting Question . . .
my Sb is doing about the same thing... what type of oils did you put in at your last service... i hear that a sever gear in the tranny will quite it right down... some member recommend amsoil 75w110 or 75w90... did you us HD oils?
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 401
From: Port Coquitlam B.C.
RE: Engine and Shifting Question . . .
I use my windshield about 50% of the time. And I flip back and forth between open face and full face helmets. The bike sounds different with each combination. With the windshield you can hear the heat shields on the exhaust pipes pinging while they warm up. Without the windshield you can't hear it.
I have 11000 kms on my bike and I still think it is getting smoother running.
I have 11000 kms on my bike and I still think it is getting smoother running.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 1
From: Clinton, Ohio
RE: Engine and Shifting Question . . .
Take it back to the dealer right away!!!!
J/K
All normal. The windshield really helps you hear all those annoying sounds that make you wonder. I never realized it until I put one on myself. Be safe and get out there and enjoy it!!
J/K
All normal. The windshield really helps you hear all those annoying sounds that make you wonder. I never realized it until I put one on myself. Be safe and get out there and enjoy it!!
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
RE: Engine and Shifting Question . . .
Here's a few things I have personally noticed:
1. I get the "tapping" sound which is valve/rocker arm noise. Its even worse since I replaced my heads and went with a high lift cam.
2. You will get the tranny clunk which can be lessened by putting in a thicker oil. There is a lot of discussion on this forum about best oils. I personally use AMSOil Sever Gear in the tranny. This has made gear shifts into first much more quite and all most completely eliminated shift clunk once I am rolling.
3. As you get used to your bike, which will take a few thousand miles, or if you get a dyno chart, have a tac and know how to read and apply it, you can find some real "sweet" spots. Mine three spots are:
2200-3200 RMP - in 5th this equated to 52 up to about 73. When I am running in this range, my pipes and engine all settle down and if I am on good roads it is simply an amazing ride.
3200-4100 RPM - about the same speeds as above but running in 4th. This is where I start to hit my torque band in my engine and am throwing 100 ft/lbs at the rear. The bike is more growly, and throttle response is markedly stronger. I use 4th for cruising twisties, when following and looking for a pass opportunity, etc.
4100+ RPM - My bike's monster side comes out. This is wheelie range for me and the engine and pipes are ripping in these ranges. This is a fun range to run in.
Get on some clean and safe roads. Pull the bike up to 55-60 and just play with running in 5th, 4th, and 3rd and listen and feel what your beast it telling you.
Cheers.
1. I get the "tapping" sound which is valve/rocker arm noise. Its even worse since I replaced my heads and went with a high lift cam.
2. You will get the tranny clunk which can be lessened by putting in a thicker oil. There is a lot of discussion on this forum about best oils. I personally use AMSOil Sever Gear in the tranny. This has made gear shifts into first much more quite and all most completely eliminated shift clunk once I am rolling.
3. As you get used to your bike, which will take a few thousand miles, or if you get a dyno chart, have a tac and know how to read and apply it, you can find some real "sweet" spots. Mine three spots are:
2200-3200 RMP - in 5th this equated to 52 up to about 73. When I am running in this range, my pipes and engine all settle down and if I am on good roads it is simply an amazing ride.
3200-4100 RPM - about the same speeds as above but running in 4th. This is where I start to hit my torque band in my engine and am throwing 100 ft/lbs at the rear. The bike is more growly, and throttle response is markedly stronger. I use 4th for cruising twisties, when following and looking for a pass opportunity, etc.
4100+ RPM - My bike's monster side comes out. This is wheelie range for me and the engine and pipes are ripping in these ranges. This is a fun range to run in.
Get on some clean and safe roads. Pull the bike up to 55-60 and just play with running in 5th, 4th, and 3rd and listen and feel what your beast it telling you.
Cheers.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 52,957
Likes: 44,476
From: SW OH.
RE: Engine and Shifting Question . . .
Everything sounds normal to me.I read a magazine interview when the 6 speeds came out(06 dynas).The H-D engineerstated that they could have eliminated the clunk in the tranny but felt that riders actually enjoyed the traditional harley sound and feel.Funny huh?When I first rode my bike home last year it vibrated quite a bit and then got smoother after a few hundred miles.I would definately use a real gear oil in the trans.Good brands are spectro,bel ray,amsoil etc.(synthetic).And don't worry too much about noise,after all it's a big air cooled twin not a lexus.