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First gear whistle

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Old Aug 11, 2016 | 09:43 PM
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Default First gear whistle
What causes the whistle noise in 1st gear only at about 2500 rpm? The noise is only in 1st gear at low speed and goes away at about 3000 rpm. This is not the classic 1ST gear whine others have discussed. Definitely a whistle noise. Bike is a 2016 SGS...I've actually heard it on other touring bikes in 1st gear at low speeds.
Thanks in advance!
 
Last edited by smokeygold; Aug 11, 2016 at 09:52 PM.
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Old Aug 11, 2016 | 11:01 PM
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First gear has straight cut teeth.
 
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Old Aug 13, 2016 | 06:12 AM
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yup. what he said. normal. my 13 UC does it.
 
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Old Aug 13, 2016 | 09:00 AM
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Use a quality gear oil instead of the engine oil Harley uses. The noise will go away.
 
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Old Aug 13, 2016 | 07:32 PM
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My new 2016 CVO Road Glide Ultra does that. In first gear, it sounds like a jet turbine winding up when I accelerate slowly at lower speeds. Does anyone have a recommended replacement for the stock Harley transmission oil that will reduce or get rid of this whine?
 
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Old Aug 14, 2016 | 05:58 AM
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I wish all the gears were straight cut. Stronger pulling power without any side loads inside your transmission. I'd put up with the noise any day compared to what we have now.
 
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Old Aug 14, 2016 | 09:09 AM
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I use Amsoil 75w140 in mine. I don't hear the whine anymore. Any quality gear oil like Redline, Royal Purple, Lucas are good. Everyone has an opinion on the best oil, they all work well.
 
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Old Aug 14, 2016 | 08:31 PM
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Not going to go away. You may make it sound different but it will always have a whine/whistle while in 1st. Nature of the beast.
 
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Old Aug 14, 2016 | 08:39 PM
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Definitely sounds like a whistle to me. I think I'm noticing it more on this one because I'm sticking with the stock exhaust.
 
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Old Aug 14, 2016 | 08:51 PM
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i find it will get quieter after some time, run the harley oil for the first 5,000 it will wear in faster, then switch to a good gear oil.
 
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