Neutral Rattle
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 323
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
Neutral Rattle
Anyone else have the cursed "throttle rattle" (aptly described by HD? After 13k glorious miles, I noticed a sound that sounded like an empty spray paint can being shaken coming from around the right side transmission cover while parked with the bike in neutral and clutch not engaged. When I engaged the clutch, sound went away. Dealership advised that they received a bulletin August 2011 from Milwaukee that said twin cam motors from 2007-present are all affected and that the noise is from the lashings between the gears. The bulletin from HD is M1304 (attached). Milwaukee will not (yet) correct this and are still making transmissions susceptible to this noise. I trust my home dealership and have a good relationship with them. This issue isn't a dealership problem at all, but is an engineering mistake from Milwaukee. So, my question is: has anyone been able to mitigate this noise? It sounds like crap. Even if I could get a new gear stack from HD, they are making them the same way so I could have the same problem again.
The bike has been dyno'd and is not malfunctioning or throwing any error codes. I've dropped the Synth3 from the transmission case (why this stuff is in a gear box is another discussion thread) and replaced it with 75w140 gear oil hoping it would lessen the noise while being better for the bike, but that didn't happen.
Craig
The bike has been dyno'd and is not malfunctioning or throwing any error codes. I've dropped the Synth3 from the transmission case (why this stuff is in a gear box is another discussion thread) and replaced it with 75w140 gear oil hoping it would lessen the noise while being better for the bike, but that didn't happen.
Craig
Last edited by cmstewart72; Nov 19, 2015 at 09:16 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
machines make noises.
some find it character, some find it annoying.
I have all kinds of machines that make funny sounds.
This sound that is wearing you down is the sound of parts which are not under load...so just sitting there rattling. when the gears are meshed they no longer have room to rattle
Kinda like how a clutch may be noisy when disengaged
Kinda like how our rubbermount motors bob around on the mounts at idle- when under load, the tension of the belt/pulley/swingarm acts as a stabilizing influence on the drivetrain.
newer machines tend to be quieter..better design and materials usually- but some of my older noisier machines last longer...the panhead, Guzzi and BMW airhead are all pretty tractor-like in character
Mike
some find it character, some find it annoying.
I have all kinds of machines that make funny sounds.
This sound that is wearing you down is the sound of parts which are not under load...so just sitting there rattling. when the gears are meshed they no longer have room to rattle
Kinda like how a clutch may be noisy when disengaged
Kinda like how our rubbermount motors bob around on the mounts at idle- when under load, the tension of the belt/pulley/swingarm acts as a stabilizing influence on the drivetrain.
newer machines tend to be quieter..better design and materials usually- but some of my older noisier machines last longer...the panhead, Guzzi and BMW airhead are all pretty tractor-like in character
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Nov 19, 2015 at 01:27 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,165
Likes: 1,910
From: Doghouse... mostly
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
I experienced the rattle described on my 2011 Ultra Limited after the first oil change when I put Mobil1 20W-50 in the transmission. I promptly changed the transmission oil to Mobil1 75W-140 and that cured my rattle. I've since, because of another issue I was chasing, have changed to Formula+ in the transmission and still no rattle.
Obviously mine must not have been as bad as the OPs since a simple change of oil type cured my problem yet it has not cured his.
As for the gears being out-of-spec, that's probably not the case. This may be a little nit-pick on words, but the gears are probably within spec and the real issue is that the design spec is not precise enough.
Obviously mine must not have been as bad as the OPs since a simple change of oil type cured my problem yet it has not cured his.
As for the gears being out-of-spec, that's probably not the case. This may be a little nit-pick on words, but the gears are probably within spec and the real issue is that the design spec is not precise enough.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
not an engineer- can barely make coffee.
so many factors into designing the way the gears lash and the material...could be if they are too tight the hardening on the gears can be damaged when they clash in N.
thicker fluid will cushion this, but also may not flow through bearings as well, esp when cold.
on a micro level is shouldn;t be metal on metal contact, but a thin film of oil between the metal parts
the sawdust joke refers to old "crooked used car sales" where a worn tranny might be filled with sawdust (so they say) to quiet it down...at least until the sucker is gone.
magic fluids don;t fix mechanical problems- I've had really good long-term results using the spec'd fluids in my new and old vehicles.
old stuff doesn;t like synth, new stuff can take advantage of it.
old stuff uses heavy grades, new stuff can use lighter grades
mike
so many factors into designing the way the gears lash and the material...could be if they are too tight the hardening on the gears can be damaged when they clash in N.
thicker fluid will cushion this, but also may not flow through bearings as well, esp when cold.
on a micro level is shouldn;t be metal on metal contact, but a thin film of oil between the metal parts
the sawdust joke refers to old "crooked used car sales" where a worn tranny might be filled with sawdust (so they say) to quiet it down...at least until the sucker is gone.
magic fluids don;t fix mechanical problems- I've had really good long-term results using the spec'd fluids in my new and old vehicles.
old stuff doesn;t like synth, new stuff can take advantage of it.
old stuff uses heavy grades, new stuff can use lighter grades
mike
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,226
Likes: 3,049
From: St.Louis Mo.
on my 2012 streeglide i noticed it when i got home from picking it up new. i thought mine was really loud and it was compared to other bikes. redline gear oil did help quite a bit. my 15 tri-glide doesn't seem to make any transmission noise.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
1blackz28
Primary/Transmission/Driveline/Clutch
2
Apr 4, 2013 09:42 AM
Roger C6R
Touring Models
2
Aug 27, 2011 06:08 PM