Is this normal?
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 17
Is this normal?
I have noticed that if I don't ride for a couple of days that the first time that I shift from neutral to first gear that the bike shifts into gear rather hard. Once the bike has been through the gears it doesn't shift from neutral to first as hard.I guess I am referring to the mechanical sound caused from the gears.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
RE: Is this normal?
welcome to the world of H/D......
YES! The clutch plates are a wet type, and it takes a little riding and shifting to get the oil circulated back through and between the clutch plates, until then, they are dry, becasue all of the oil drains to the bottom of the primary "sump". Happens every time to me as well, just take it easy on her when you first start riding....once she is warm, and the tranny has had a chance to circulate the fluid, as well as the primary through the clutches, all is good! Again, just take her easy when first starting out.
Joe
[&:]
YES! The clutch plates are a wet type, and it takes a little riding and shifting to get the oil circulated back through and between the clutch plates, until then, they are dry, becasue all of the oil drains to the bottom of the primary "sump". Happens every time to me as well, just take it easy on her when you first start riding....once she is warm, and the tranny has had a chance to circulate the fluid, as well as the primary through the clutches, all is good! Again, just take her easy when first starting out.
Joe
[&:]
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 17
RE: Is this normal?
Thanks Joe, that is what I have been doing and also what I was thinking. I have started it in first gear to aleviate this but have been told that if Icontinue to do that, that it could damage my starter.
Thanks Again.
Thanks Again.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
RE: Is this normal?
no damage to starter, because you have the clutch pulled in. If you wanted to, you could start it in neutral same as before, and while it's warming up pull the clutch lever in and out a few times while giving it a little extra RPM's to help get the oil between the plates, or just not worry about it. Try it, and let me know how it works out for you.
Joe
Joe
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 383
Likes: 1
From: Warwickshire, UK.
RE: Is this normal?
Before starting, I put my bike in gear and pull the clutch, roll it back and forth to break the clutch free.
I have a slope away from my house so I free wheel down and start the bike and engage while on the move. Just can't bear that crunch.
I have a slope away from my house so I free wheel down and start the bike and engage while on the move. Just can't bear that crunch.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 776
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Is this normal?
It's a HARLEY. Embrace the "clunk". It builds character and makes us cool.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 426
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From:
RE: Is this normal?
Yes, I usually pull my clutch in and coast my bike about 10 feet. Then put it in gear. No Clunk. In the summer the bike does not usually do it. I pull my clutch i when I start the bike. 60 degrees and below in the morning is when I use the coast method.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,859
Likes: 11
From: The South
RE: Is this normal?
Captain Clunk reporting in here as well. I don’t like the hard shift either but it is what it is and they have been making them that way for over 100 years. Now if I could get my idle speed down some….. BB
