2014 Low Rider
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 133
From: TEXAS
New FXDL owner here.
I love my 2014.5 FXDL but hate the clunk into 1st and 2nd gear, so I did internet search and changed oils from 3 holes to RedLine oils for specific holes. I think the RedLine primary oil is thinner than stock, so it helps separating clutch disks quicker, but still downshifting into 2nd makes loud clunk. I really hate this, but the dealer says it's normal. This is my first Harley.
Also, I hear some knocking noise when cold coming from the primary case after changing to RedLine. Is this a possibility that thinner primary oil causing some knocking noise when cold? It goes away in the first 1-2 miles. Since the improvement in clunk is minimal, I would rather get rid of this cold knocking. Which primary oil do I have to use?
Thanks and May the car drivers be away with you all the time.
Dan from MD
I love my 2014.5 FXDL but hate the clunk into 1st and 2nd gear, so I did internet search and changed oils from 3 holes to RedLine oils for specific holes. I think the RedLine primary oil is thinner than stock, so it helps separating clutch disks quicker, but still downshifting into 2nd makes loud clunk. I really hate this, but the dealer says it's normal. This is my first Harley.
Also, I hear some knocking noise when cold coming from the primary case after changing to RedLine. Is this a possibility that thinner primary oil causing some knocking noise when cold? It goes away in the first 1-2 miles. Since the improvement in clunk is minimal, I would rather get rid of this cold knocking. Which primary oil do I have to use?
Thanks and May the car drivers be away with you all the time.
Dan from MD
the clunk is the compensator and/or chain tension
it is not damaging or a sign that something is wrong
if it bothers you you can improve it with a differnet primary chain tensioner, like the Hayden unit seems to be the most popular, i went with the baker chain adjuster on my 06 and it helped the clunck and shifting alot. the reason i suggested the Hayden is because it is something you set one time and the baker is something that you have to check on and possibly adjust.
personally i think the baker is better, but you have to enjoy maintnance to switch from a automatic tensioner to a manual tension. People seem to like the Hayden and say is softens the shifting.
there are a couple aftermarket compensators out there, but i have never used one or know anyone personally that has used one
i dont think the oil would have much of an effect on the clunck
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 15,461
Likes: 14,354
From: Illinois
New FXDL owner here.
I love my 2014.5 FXDL but hate the clunk into 1st and 2nd gear, so I did internet search and changed oils from 3 holes to RedLine oils for specific holes. I think the RedLine primary oil is thinner than stock, so it helps separating clutch disks quicker, but still downshifting into 2nd makes loud clunk. I really hate this, but the dealer says it's normal. This is my first Harley.
Also, I hear some knocking noise when cold coming from the primary case after changing to RedLine. Is this a possibility that thinner primary oil causing some knocking noise when cold? It goes away in the first 1-2 miles. Since the improvement in clunk is minimal, I would rather get rid of this cold knocking. Which primary oil do I have to use?
Thanks and May the car drivers be away with you all the time.
Dan from MD
I love my 2014.5 FXDL but hate the clunk into 1st and 2nd gear, so I did internet search and changed oils from 3 holes to RedLine oils for specific holes. I think the RedLine primary oil is thinner than stock, so it helps separating clutch disks quicker, but still downshifting into 2nd makes loud clunk. I really hate this, but the dealer says it's normal. This is my first Harley.
Also, I hear some knocking noise when cold coming from the primary case after changing to RedLine. Is this a possibility that thinner primary oil causing some knocking noise when cold? It goes away in the first 1-2 miles. Since the improvement in clunk is minimal, I would rather get rid of this cold knocking. Which primary oil do I have to use?
Thanks and May the car drivers be away with you all the time.
Dan from MD
Any other LR owners out there who have been looking but not yet posted?
Stage III
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
the clunk is the compensator and/or chain tension
it is not damaging or a sign that something is wrong
if it bothers you you can improve it with a differnet primary chain tensioner, like the Hayden unit seems to be the most popular, i went with the baker chain adjuster on my 06 and it helped the clunck and shifting alot. the reason i suggested the Hayden is because it is something you set one time and the baker is something that you have to check on and possibly adjust.
personally i think the baker is better, but you have to enjoy maintnance to switch from a automatic tensioner to a manual tension. People seem to like the Hayden and say is softens the shifting.
there are a couple aftermarket compensators out there, but i have never used one or know anyone personally that has used one
i dont think the oil would have much of an effect on the clunck
it is not damaging or a sign that something is wrong
if it bothers you you can improve it with a differnet primary chain tensioner, like the Hayden unit seems to be the most popular, i went with the baker chain adjuster on my 06 and it helped the clunck and shifting alot. the reason i suggested the Hayden is because it is something you set one time and the baker is something that you have to check on and possibly adjust.
personally i think the baker is better, but you have to enjoy maintnance to switch from a automatic tensioner to a manual tension. People seem to like the Hayden and say is softens the shifting.
there are a couple aftermarket compensators out there, but i have never used one or know anyone personally that has used one
i dont think the oil would have much of an effect on the clunck
Also will Hayden softens and silences shifting as much as in the clip I posted? If so, I would definitely install Hayden.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 133
From: TEXAS
2014 Low Rider
Originally Posted by dh4kim
Thanks a lot for the details. I watched a couple Youtube clips and I don't quite understand how Hayden would be better than stock auto adjuster. One thing I noticed is that stock adjuster may have steps (clicks) while Hayden is continuous. Am I correct?
Also will Hayden softens and silences shifting as much as in the clip I posted? If so, I would definitely install Hayden.
Also will Hayden softens and silences shifting as much as in the clip I posted? If so, I would definitely install Hayden.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Lincolnshire UK
Replacement for Michelin Scorcher
Had a puncture on the rear tyre of my 2014 LowRider yesterday, Michelin Scorcher 31 160/70B17, I had been quite satisfied with it up to that point, but they are of course only available from HD dealers and they want Ł247 to replace it ! Anyone know what would be a good replacement for this tyre?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5,465
Likes: 6,331
From: pacific northwest
Had a puncture on the rear tyre of my 2014 LowRider yesterday, Michelin Scorcher 31 160/70B17, I had been quite satisfied with it up to that point, but they are of course only available from HD dealers and they want Ł247 to replace it ! Anyone know what would be a good replacement for this tyre?