5tg Gear knocking
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4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Williamsburg, VA
5th Gear knocking
Anybody have expereince with a knocking in 5th gear ? My 2011 FLSTC has what sounds like a solid knock when maintaining speed in 5th. I know the tranny case can act as an amplifier so I can't tell if this is normal or not. I seems to go away when accelerating or under load, but at cruise it's definitely there. Normal or no ? I'm going in for 1000 mile svc next week. Any suggestions ? 
Thanks,
Fred
Thanks,
Fred
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
I get a bit of knocking in pretty much any gear when at a steady even cruising speed on my 2011 FLSTC as well. A lot of it seems to be coming up from the front of the bike, so I wrote it off as the windshield was reflecting and amplifying misc engine noises.
Keep saying I am going to remove the shield and run it to see, just haven't had a chance, been getting a lot of rain here.
Keep saying I am going to remove the shield and run it to see, just haven't had a chance, been getting a lot of rain here.
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4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Williamsburg, VA
10-4 on the windshield removal. I did that less than an hour after I picked up the bike. I have to feel the wind & hear the road noise. I love it. But the knocking noise is definitely there. I'll leave a post as to what the dealer says after my 1000 mile svc, but I do want it noted in the service records in case anything fails down the road. I doubt if I'll be able to hear it after I get the bike back. I'm gonna put on V&H pipes & change the air cleaner & do the engine tune, so the pipes will more than likely mask any noise coming up from the tranny case.
Fred
Fred
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 99
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From: South Central Ky
Tranny Noise
I have the same 5th gear noise in my 2010 Lo. There is a little in 2 - 4, but louder in 5th. When I shift to 6th it goes away. Have not been back to dealer to ask, but it seem this is probably normal for these trannys. I too will be asking when I go back. I bought used with 3600 miles from dealer and it is still under warrenty. Anyone with any more info please let us know.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,477
Likes: 14
From: Western MD
i have the same knock/rattle in 5th, also in 4 a little and even less in 3rd.. in 5th at 45-50mph on a light throttle cruise the noise is pretty loud. give it some fuel and its gone. in 6th gr, complete silence from the trans. i let a friend of mine who has had harleys for years and sold them for a few yrs take it for a ride and he said.. yep normal.. sounds nasty, but as long as it stays together, she can rattle all she wants.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 54
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From: Georgia
I got the same noise on my 2011 FLSTC... I also have V&H Big Ovals Staggered so a lot is masked. But I can still hear it because I know when and what I'm listening for... I get the feeling when I ask Harley about it they will say it normal...
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 129
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From: Weston, MO
I have a 2011 FLSTC also, but have not heard any knocking. But I am not usually in 5th below 50mph, am I holding my rpms to high or is it possible ya'll need to down shift?
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 99
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From: South Central Ky
We may need to down shift but if you up shift to 6th, at same load speed/rpm, all is good and quiet. From all the comments it sounds as it is just this model tranny. Let's Ride.
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Advanced
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 94
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From: Mass
I don't know about 45 - 50 in 5th this sound like your rpm is way to low, I usually don't get out of 3rd until about 50mph 3200 rpm sound like you might be running your rpms to low, I've been told by tech's for years it's better to run high then to lug and my understanding is harley's have some type of governor that wont allow you to over rev.
Last edited by rlo1; Jul 15, 2011 at 08:02 PM.
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