Clunk!
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 463
Likes: 1
From: in a trailer next to a ditch in South Florida
The transmission is a constant mesh. that means all of the gears are always in contact with their counterparts.
When you shift you are moving what is called a dog between gear groups. If you look at the left gear cluster at the top you will see them. 6 around the shaft.
When they drop into the receiving cluster with torque applied that is the clunk. That clunk is Harley. Nothing wrong with it. If you want super quiet you shouldn't have bought a Harley.
When you shift you are moving what is called a dog between gear groups. If you look at the left gear cluster at the top you will see them. 6 around the shaft.
When they drop into the receiving cluster with torque applied that is the clunk. That clunk is Harley. Nothing wrong with it. If you want super quiet you shouldn't have bought a Harley.
Harley-Davidson uses engagement dogs not synchronizers. Synchros are used in manual shift cars and many foreign M'cycle transmissions. The suggestion to hold the clutch in during starts and holding it in for a while before enaging 1st gear helps a lot and is a good safety tip. Keep the clutch in proper adjustment (both cable and clutch pack) to minimize clutch drag when dis-engaging.
My transmission lube choice is Mobil 1 75w-140 synthetic.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
I had a 68 Honda 160 Scrambler that clunked also. It was fun, but sure not a Harley. My old 1942 "45" hand shift clunked. On my 84 Sporty, I use to watch the rear chain when I put it in gear, just to watch it bounce.
That's a Harley, dude....ride it,and forget it!
