The trans on my '15 Limited Low has been a klanker from day one. Dealer of course says it's normal. I've heard a lot of Harleys shift... it ain't normal. But on to the point...

I solved the cold start shift into first KLANK with Mobile 1 syn ATF in the primary. It's not just quiet now, it's silent. Like it's not shifting anything. Kinda eerie.

But the warmed up shifting issue is in the trans not the primary. As the miles go by, and the trans heats up the shifting gets louder. At about 125 degrees (measured with an infrared thermometer right above the chrome right sidecover) the shifting noise starts to climb. I've tried a lot of different lubes, some a little better than others, some lots worse. Right now I'm using Bel-Ray V-Twin lube. As the temp rises up to 210 or so the klank is in full force.

I put about 33% non syn Lucas oil stabilizer in the trans with the Bel-Ray, and the 125 degree threshold raised to about 140. The top trans temp also dropped about 20 degrees. The Lucas is seriously thick stuff, and doesn't seem to thin out as much at temp.

So, the only conclusion I can come to is the trans lube thins out at temp & doesn't provide "cushioning" between the gears as it does. Am I off base here? Something else that is changing with temp causing the klank? Parts heating up & clearances getting sloppy? Anything??? lol

Is there a downside to running thick trans lube?

Thanks!

 

Some have used 80w140 Gear lube in the transmission with good results.

Some have added the Lucas to the engine oil to quite down all the rattles.

I've heard, and read a lot of pros and cons about using ATF in the primary.

There's a lot of information already posted about oil(s) and everyone has a different answer.

 

The problem with lube like 80-140 is it's never 140. It "protects like" 140. At temp it thins like all the rest, down to about 40 wt. The Bel-Ray I'm using is 80-140.

Thanks for the tips.

 

Your dealer is correct, it's normal. Wear some ear plugs. Sorry, but this is what I call Mind F***ing. LOL.

 

I'm happy for you that whatever the dealer tells you you accept.

Enjoy your klanking bike, I'll do something about mine.

 

redline heavy shockproof and be done with it and make sure your clutch is adjusted correctly.

 

Initially they were going to call the new 6 speed transmission the "clunk drive" but they thought "cruise drive" would sell better.

 

Yeah, the description on the HD website sounds like it was written by Maya Angelou.

 

No reason for the snarky response. You did make your post in order to get responses, right?

He didn`t say that he accepts whatever the dealer says, he said that in this case the dealer is right.

It`s normal. You can change lubes, play with the clutch etc, but in the end, you will still be hearing the clunk when shifting.

 

Sorry, I should have taken the advice to wear earplugs and that it's mind *cking as constructive advice.

And as I've said before, you listen to yours klank, I'll fix mine.

How's your cold start shift into first?