Clunk!

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Aug 17, 2010 | 07:41 PM

08rock

Thread Starter

Road Master

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 1,005

Likes: 13

From: new jersey

Clunk!

What causes the hard Clunk when you first put it in gear? and how can it be prevented?

Aug 17, 2010 | 07:49 PM

DocJ

Road Master

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 1,086

Likes: 2

It seems to be a normal Softail trait. Use synthetic in the tranny and that will help a lot.

Aug 17, 2010 | 07:51 PM

shineybike

Road Captain

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 576

Likes: 1

From: Southern Maine

My '04 does it too. I used synthetic but it still clunks. It gets better once it's warm but still there. Just the nature of the beast.

Aug 17, 2010 | 08:13 PM

08rock

Thread Starter

Road Master

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 1,005

Likes: 13

From: new jersey

I've noticed if I roll backward a few feet before starting it, somtimes there's no clunk

Aug 17, 2010 | 08:13 PM

lh4x4

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 13,402

Likes: 941

From: Illinois

This is an old trick dating back to the 60's.

When the bike is cold put it in neutral. Hold the clutch in while starting the motor. Then hold it for 30 or more seconds before shifting into low. It will be silent for the first three or four up shifts. Even more helpful if you are starting down a sloped driveway, let the bike coast down while holding the clutch and shift into gear near the end of the driveway.

The reason is that while the bike is sitting the oil is forced out of the clutch plates. Holding in the clutch while starting and holding it open for a while will let oil between the plates.

Does not work once the oil is hot as it squeezes out fast.

I start out that way just as a game to see how many silent shifts that I can do. 6 is my record.