Loud shifting?

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Sep 24, 2008 | 11:35 PM

#11

r00k

Road Warrior

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 1,380

Likes: 1

From: ,,

I remember when my current girl friend went on her first ride on my bike and asked me what was breaking when we where slowing to a stop light, it was me... shifting down.

Sep 24, 2008 | 11:40 PM

#12

jbphoto

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 1,438

Likes: 3

From: San Tan Valley, AZ

I come from a long line of Brits and Hondas. All of them had that wonderful little "snick" sound when shifting. Guess what? Harley's don't. They go "KLUNK" and that really is normal. As was said previously, it's part of the "mystique". So, not to worry, just go out and ride. That's what I did!

Sep 25, 2008 | 12:00 AM

#13

benwiggin2

Road Master

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 1,197

Likes: 0

From: The wild, wild, west.

congrats on your 1st hd, and welcome to the forum

Sep 25, 2008 | 12:18 AM

#14

Bluesrider

Tourer

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 298

Likes: 0

From: Austin, Texas

Allrighty

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axegrinder

The Clunk is NOT bad. It is the sound of a Harley . Even if I could get rid of it I wouldn't.If I wanted a quiet bike I would have bought a metric.

Sep 25, 2008 | 12:20 AM

#15

kk6pg

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 2,289

Likes: 22

From: Beautiful Downtown Burbank

When the HD engineers were putting the 6 speed trans together, they had it designed without the distinctive Harley clunk. It was hashed around about using a quiet trans, but when the engineers were told nobody would buy or ride a hog that didnt clunk, the quiet tranny got shelved.
Somewhere in Milwaukee theres a quiet 6 speed tranny on a shelf with a tag on it that says "dont even think about it!"

Let your clunk be heard brother. Thats an American clunk.

Sep 25, 2008 | 04:03 AM

#16

mo-fo-joe

Road Captain

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 500

Likes: 0

From: NW FLORIDA

That clunk just means your LOCKED AND LOADED bro ! I love that solid mechanical sound ! Aint no doubt your in gear !

Sep 25, 2008 | 05:08 AM

#17

bulwer

Novice

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 17

Likes: 0

From: Lafayette, CO

I normally use the cantilever shifting on my Road King, so I end up lightly stomping on the front or back of the shift, and like the thunk. When on a road trip last year I go to hit the back shift arm on the cantilever and it just flops. I look down and the shift linkage had broken. Luckily I had zip ties in my bag, two zip ties and we were back on the road. I picked up a new linkage joint in Glenwood Springs HD for a half case of Bud. Since putting the new linkage on I've lost some of my lower gears klunk. When I don't hear the klunk I'm not sure if I've shifted down to first or up to second -- needs an adjustment I guess. The klunk is good.

Sep 28, 2008 | 01:03 PM

#18

JoeGrapes

Thread Starter

Advanced

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 79

Likes: 1

From: Buffalo, NY

Thanks for all the imput. All the guys I work with and the Harley dealer said the same thing. Normal. Well, Ok then. I'll tell you what, that is a beautiful bike. When I show friends that bike their eyes light up. I only have about another month of riding before I have to put it up for the season. It's going to be a long winter.