3rd Gear Noise
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2016
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From: Syracuse IN
3rd Gear Noise
1975 FXE with 23,000 miles. The miles are accurate as I am the 3rd owner and know the bike's history. Went for a ride today and after a short stop to check directions, the bike made noises in 3rd gear that resembled a spun bearing. Stopped to make sure it wasn't the motor, all good there, Took off again and 1st gear was fine, 2nd gear was fine, but 3rd made the noise. Went to 4th and it was fine. So rather than make my destination of Galveston Bay I spun around and headed home, avoiding 3rd as much as possible. What am I looking at - new bearings in the trans?
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Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Cental, MI
No... I hate to say it... But it is sort of Normal... A complete rebuild on one, and it still did it...a hodge podge of parts throwed into another, and Quiet
I quit worrying about the damn thing, After been apart so many times it should have a Zipper on it!!!!!
I quit worrying about the damn thing, After been apart so many times it should have a Zipper on it!!!!!
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From: la la land jerzey
the original stock trans from that era only lasted 25,000 miles - some one put a hundred thousand on the one they own before it went bad -- but I lost track of the how many we re did with those miles
what I always see is the countershaft shaft is scored and even the cluster gear - 3rd gear is and does take the most load, it has a thrust washer and some I have seen it was actually too tight and blued the washer - still others I have seen it damage the main shaft and or the 3rd gear insides its self
change the oil cant use GL 5 oil it eats the brass bushing up - GL 4 oil in 75 /80 or 140 - but the factory original oil was 60 weight engine oil
what I always see is the countershaft shaft is scored and even the cluster gear - 3rd gear is and does take the most load, it has a thrust washer and some I have seen it was actually too tight and blued the washer - still others I have seen it damage the main shaft and or the 3rd gear insides its self
change the oil cant use GL 5 oil it eats the brass bushing up - GL 4 oil in 75 /80 or 140 - but the factory original oil was 60 weight engine oil
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Poolville
So which one would actually give better protection in the gearbox the gl4 75w 90 or the 80w 90 or is it necessary to go to the 140.. not uncommon 90-100*temps in the summer here on the island
Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; Dec 23, 2019 at 09:48 AM.
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From: Honah Lee
Most 75-90 or 140 are GL 5 EP differential oils not suited for any brass .
It could be a bearing but not in the way you might think. All the gears are engaged all the time freewheeling on a bearing. As you shift, a dog ring that is attach to the shaft dogs into the gear locking it to the shaft.
If the bearing is worn, the gear is not true and then the gear to gear clearance on the two shafts have a little too much clearance.
Hard to tell from your discretion if that is truely what it is or how bad it is. Third gear shares the real important bearings with the other gears.
Don't try to doctor noise with too thick of oil. Run GL4 oil. I would use Harley's Formual + which is a non detergent 50W gear oil. If it really is loud, you might want to check the gear teeth for a missing one or see if you can detect play in bearing gear runs on. If this came on suddenly, there just may be a tooth missing if you flogged the old girl real hard. They will break.
It could be a bearing but not in the way you might think. All the gears are engaged all the time freewheeling on a bearing. As you shift, a dog ring that is attach to the shaft dogs into the gear locking it to the shaft.
If the bearing is worn, the gear is not true and then the gear to gear clearance on the two shafts have a little too much clearance.
Hard to tell from your discretion if that is truely what it is or how bad it is. Third gear shares the real important bearings with the other gears.
Don't try to doctor noise with too thick of oil. Run GL4 oil. I would use Harley's Formual + which is a non detergent 50W gear oil. If it really is loud, you might want to check the gear teeth for a missing one or see if you can detect play in bearing gear runs on. If this came on suddenly, there just may be a tooth missing if you flogged the old girl real hard. They will break.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Dec 23, 2019 at 08:53 AM.
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From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Time to pull the tranny and pop the lid. Winter is always a good time to fix things.
Take pics and post your progress.
Take pics and post your progress.
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From: la la land jerzey
Bob I have been with some success they now make a 50 straight weight engine oil in synthetic - the 40s Indian trans is a crash box connected to the primary chain and clutches one would want to use 10 X 40 jap bike oil but they get noisy when hot tried it - the 50 weight seems to do the trick this summer will tell the tail I am using it in everything I own
I keep hearing the Harley formula transmission oil is also 50 weight and its also synthetic But in a gear oil
I keep hearing the Harley formula transmission oil is also 50 weight and its also synthetic But in a gear oil
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From: Honah Lee
Bob I have been with some success they now make a 50 straight weight engine oil in synthetic - the 40s Indian trans is a crash box connected to the primary chain and clutches one would want to use 10 X 40 jap bike oil but they get noisy when hot tried it - the 50 weight seems to do the trick this summer will tell the tail I am using it in everything I own
I keep hearing the Harley formula transmission oil is also 50 weight and its also synthetic But in a gear oil
I keep hearing the Harley formula transmission oil is also 50 weight and its also synthetic But in a gear oil
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Dec 23, 2019 at 06:25 PM.
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