Hey all,

2004 Fat Boy, 95ci here. I need the forum’s help with some shifting problems.

At 15,900 mi Redline Shock proof was used for the first time. At 20,600, tranny fluid change with HD Formula +. At 24,000 intermittent shifting problem…would not shift into 3rd gear…shift pedal at hard stop in the ‘up’ position…will not pick-up 3rd gear. Must downshift and up-shift several times to get into 3rd. Tranny fluid then replaced with Redline Shockproof; clutch adjusted; shop recommended getting tranny hot and replacing Redline again asap to flush out remaining Formula +. At 25,800, intermittent shifting problem more often…unable to shift to 3rd and now getting difficult to downshift as well. Front shift pedal felt kind of loose and closer to floor board while in first gear. At 26,200, replaced tranny fluid with Redline Shockproof; old fluid was hot on draining, uniform, with no lumps; a little lighter in color than new Redline. Test rode bike…shifting is better but still having intermittent shifting problems. Looked at shop manual…could it be shift cam pawl or shifter fork failure/binding? Tranny fluid incompatability resulting in gummy residue?? Redline is ester-based…Formula + ??

Never had a noise associated with the tranny, no grinding or previous rough shifting/operation….tranny always ran smoothly. All external shifting components are snug and move freely manually with engine off. Able to shift easily from 1st to 4th manually with engine off.

Appreciate suggestions. Having a look in the top of the tranny requires oil tank and starter removal. I have two trips coming up soon. I’m really frustrated and ready to buy a Raider for back-up when FB has the hiccups. Screaming Eagle lifter failure and cam damage at 15-16K and now this. Love the FB when it runs but I wish this bike was more reliable…

 

Overfilling the primary can cause rough shifting. I would get rid of the redline, adjsut the clutch pack and adjsut the cable and see what happens. I'll never use redline shockproof again after seeing the inside of my tranny and how that stuff clumped up inside the bearings and stuff.

You could also have a bent shifter pawl...Is your tranny filled with the proper amount of fluid as well?

Drew

 

Drew,

Thanks for your reply. I was wondering about the Redline fluid also...if it had the potential to gum up parts. However when I drained it hot...no lumps and uniform.

I talked to a guy at the bike shop yesterday. He said a friend of his also had a 04 Fat Boy that had shifting problems. He said there was a recall on the trannys for these bikes.

I was never informed of a recall by my dealer or Harley.

Can anyone verify a recall for these trannys??

Thanks
Regards