My friends say just get used to it, but I cant stop worrying that something is wrong with the bike.
Fluid level is right, got conventional, not synthetic oil.
Does every Harley clunk when changing gears?

 

Sure does... and often a little grind going back into first if you dont hit it firmly enough.

 

Yes. That is your tranny talking to you, lettin you know you firmly engaged the next gear.

 

That is why you see people "stomping" on the shifter and have always wondered why?

 

You dont say which model year.

On my 04 train, correctly adjusting the clutch, usinl Redline MTL and fitting an aftermarketchain tensionner reduced it greatly but it was always there to a degree.

On my 07 RK running MTL it is barely noticeable but still there.

WB

 

I was wondering the same thing - is it the bike or me?
Just got my first Harley "2004 Ultra" and it grinds when going into 1st if I'm not going slow enough.
I like to hit first soon as I see I may be stopping, ready for quick start again if needed.

Been thinking it's the clutch maybe but works fine if I'm going slow enough.
Any ideas or suggestions?

 

Model and year.
Road King 2002.
Thanks for the replies. I feel better now.
My riding buddy says thats just part of the charm of the Harley, but I love the bike so much I dont want to abuse it.
Sounds like everything is just normal.

 

Its that Harley charm.- clunkin, burpin, fartin, vibratin, aint it beauuuuutiful.

 

The clunk is normal. HD trannys shift by engaging a "dog" into the side of the gear you are selecting, not by sliding gears on and off of each other. That's why they are called "constant mesh" transmissions. All gears stay engaged and the dogs on the shaft are moved. Same as a boat outdrive. You couldn't get rid of the clunk if you tried.

 

I like it.

My import bikes never shifted 'crisp' until I did work to the transmission/clutch.

- Even my Dads Ultra feels kinda 'soft' to me - I like that clunk. Maybe I'm a whack-job...but I I like it to sound like **** is going to break when I shift.