Is my transmission shot?
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Joined: Mar 2021
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From: Brunswick Ga
Is my transmission shot?
Ok bid I have a problem. I bought this 16 RGS a little over a month ago with 6000 miles, I've put almost 3k on it so far for a total of 8900. The dealer swore they did a full service on the bike (what dealer wouldn't right?) but it started making a noise a few days ago so I started checking my fluids and found the motor oil about a half quart low, no issue, and my tranny totally dry. I bought a bottle of gear oil since there's no bike dealer in town anymore and it took almost the whole 30 Oz bottle. That smoothed the shifting but didn't eliminate all the noise. I finally found tonight that it makes the rattling noise only when in neutral and leaned to the right. In any gear it stops but in neutral pulling the clutch makes no difference. Standing upright or leaning to the left it makes no noise but the more it leans to the right the more noise it makes.
1 how the hell did all the fluid disappear in the tranny in 3k miles?! Or was there no fluid replaced at the dealership?
2 is my tranny done or is it something repairable?
1 how the hell did all the fluid disappear in the tranny in 3k miles?! Or was there no fluid replaced at the dealership?
2 is my tranny done or is it something repairable?
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Joined: Mar 2021
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From: Brunswick Ga
Haven't checked that yet, I rarely get home more than 30 minutes before dark. I have to pull the cover off to check that right?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 5,315
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From: Granville New York
I would check the fluid level in primary...very rare fir it transfer on a twin cam but it could have happened. More likely that the "service " guy didn't put any back in after draining it. Is it shot??? Define shot...it needs to be taken out and thrown in the garbage or needs to be taken out and be rebuilt? You probably won't truly know until you pull the gearset and see what is bad...more than likely it'll need new bearings all around. I've done a few cruise drive rebuilds and it's not impossible but it definitely helps to have the factory service manual and there are a few specialty tools that are need, a few can be homemade too.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
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From: SE Michigan
Ok bid I have a problem. I bought this 16 RGS a little over a month ago with 6000 miles, I've put almost 3k on it so far for a total of 8900. The dealer swore they did a full service on the bike (what dealer wouldn't right?) but it started making a noise a few days ago so I started checking my fluids and found the motor oil about a half quart low, no issue, and my tranny totally dry. I bought a bottle of gear oil since there's no bike dealer in town anymore and it took almost the whole 30 Oz bottle. That smoothed the shifting but didn't eliminate all the noise. I finally found tonight that it makes the rattling noise only when in neutral and leaned to the right. In any gear it stops but in neutral pulling the clutch makes no difference. Standing upright or leaning to the left it makes no noise but the more it leans to the right the more noise it makes.
1 how the hell did all the fluid disappear in the tranny in 3k miles?! Or was there no fluid replaced at the dealership?
2 is my tranny done or is it something repairable?
1 how the hell did all the fluid disappear in the tranny in 3k miles?! Or was there no fluid replaced at the dealership?
2 is my tranny done or is it something repairable?
Last edited by Keithhu; Jun 3, 2022 at 05:42 AM.
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Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 72
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From: Brunswick Ga
That would be great and thanks for the info. I'm going to go back to the dealer tomorrow and have it looked at. Yall really think this thing could've gone almost 3000 miles with no fluid?
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Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 1,009
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From: Northeast Louisiana
I would say 98% chance it is shot and not worth trying to repair other than a new gearset, knowing it had no oil.
I am in agreement i what was mentioned already, "someone" definitely forgot to refill tranny.😡
New gearset was around $600 last year when I replaced a set in a friends bike. But gaskets and a couple of special tools would put you close to 1k all said and done if you do all the work yourself. Not too hard a job but wouldn't suggest it, unless a true wrencher.
Steve (Stone Cold) shipped me a 2014 gearset for $200 that I put in a 2018 Limited. Had to swap the shifting drum due to the neutral switch has moved over the years, but all else was exact. Has been perfect thus far for about 20k miles with a very abusive idiot to say the least as I can hear him stomping gears.
If you can afford it go with the Baker 6 or 7 speed and never look down this road again.
I bet sitting in neutral when ya pull in the clutch all is quiet as the transmission is no longer turning. Let off the clutch and tranny starts talking.
Let me know if ya need any help, if you are doing it yourself as I can definitely give you some pointers such as make sure you have a new snap ring for throwout bearing and preheat the primary bearing inner race before installing as well as heating while removing (heat makes it easy and no broken tools).
Ride Safe✌🏼
I am in agreement i what was mentioned already, "someone" definitely forgot to refill tranny.😡
New gearset was around $600 last year when I replaced a set in a friends bike. But gaskets and a couple of special tools would put you close to 1k all said and done if you do all the work yourself. Not too hard a job but wouldn't suggest it, unless a true wrencher.
Steve (Stone Cold) shipped me a 2014 gearset for $200 that I put in a 2018 Limited. Had to swap the shifting drum due to the neutral switch has moved over the years, but all else was exact. Has been perfect thus far for about 20k miles with a very abusive idiot to say the least as I can hear him stomping gears.
If you can afford it go with the Baker 6 or 7 speed and never look down this road again.
I bet sitting in neutral when ya pull in the clutch all is quiet as the transmission is no longer turning. Let off the clutch and tranny starts talking.
Let me know if ya need any help, if you are doing it yourself as I can definitely give you some pointers such as make sure you have a new snap ring for throwout bearing and preheat the primary bearing inner race before installing as well as heating while removing (heat makes it easy and no broken tools).
Ride Safe✌🏼
Last edited by Bayou FLHR-M8-128"; Jun 3, 2022 at 06:40 AM.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,951
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From: Winnipeg
Definitely seems like a dealer tech may have missed a step in the pre sale service. Did you happen to document the dry transmission? Any pictures? If you only bought it a month ago have a respectful conversation with dealer. They may surprise you and help make it right. I think it’s worth a conversation.
Sure you could have checked fluid levels when you got it home but you were under the impression it was fully serviced. I’m sure most would have assumed it was done correctly.
Another reason dealerships don’t touch my vehicles. 2 wheels or 4!
I wish you luck sorting this out, it’s unfortunate cuz you should be out enjoying your new ride!
Sure you could have checked fluid levels when you got it home but you were under the impression it was fully serviced. I’m sure most would have assumed it was done correctly.
Another reason dealerships don’t touch my vehicles. 2 wheels or 4!
I wish you luck sorting this out, it’s unfortunate cuz you should be out enjoying your new ride!
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 72
Likes: 18
From: Brunswick Ga
I would say 98% chance it is shot and not worth trying to repair other than a new gearset, knowing it had no oil.
I am in agreement i what was mentioned already, "someone" definitely forgot to refill tranny.😡
New gearset was around $600 last year when I replaced a set in a friends bike. But gaskets and a couple of special tools would put you close to 1k all said and done if you do all the work yourself. Not too hard a job but wouldn't suggest it, unless a true wrencher.
Steve (Stone Cold) shipped me a 2014 gearset for $200 that I put in a 2018 Limited. Had to swap the shifting drum due to the neutral switch has moved over the years, but all else was exact. Has been perfect thus far for about 20k miles with a very abusive idiot to say the least as I can hear him stomping gears.
If you can afford it go with the Baker 6 or 7 speed and never look down this road again.
I bet sitting in neutral when ya pull in the clutch all is quiet as the transmission is no longer turning. Let off the clutch and tranny starts talking.
Let me know if ya need any help, if you are doing it yourself as I can definitely give you some pointers such as make sure you have a new snap ring for throwout bearing and preheat the primary bearing inner race before installing as well as heating while removing (heat makes it easy and no broken tools).
Ride Safe✌🏼
I am in agreement i what was mentioned already, "someone" definitely forgot to refill tranny.😡
New gearset was around $600 last year when I replaced a set in a friends bike. But gaskets and a couple of special tools would put you close to 1k all said and done if you do all the work yourself. Not too hard a job but wouldn't suggest it, unless a true wrencher.
Steve (Stone Cold) shipped me a 2014 gearset for $200 that I put in a 2018 Limited. Had to swap the shifting drum due to the neutral switch has moved over the years, but all else was exact. Has been perfect thus far for about 20k miles with a very abusive idiot to say the least as I can hear him stomping gears.
If you can afford it go with the Baker 6 or 7 speed and never look down this road again.
I bet sitting in neutral when ya pull in the clutch all is quiet as the transmission is no longer turning. Let off the clutch and tranny starts talking.
Let me know if ya need any help, if you are doing it yourself as I can definitely give you some pointers such as make sure you have a new snap ring for throwout bearing and preheat the primary bearing inner race before installing as well as heating while removing (heat makes it easy and no broken tools).
Ride Safe✌🏼
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 72
Likes: 18
From: Brunswick Ga
Definitely seems like a dealer tech may have missed a step in the pre sale service. Did you happen to document the dry transmission? Any pictures? If you only bought it a month ago have a respectful conversation with dealer. They may surprise you and help make it right. I think its worth a conversation.
Sure you could have checked fluid levels when you got it home but you were under the impression it was fully serviced. Im sure most would have assumed it was done correctly.
Another reason dealerships dont touch my vehicles. 2 wheels or 4!
I wish you luck sorting this out, its unfortunate cuz you should be out enjoying your new ride!
Sure you could have checked fluid levels when you got it home but you were under the impression it was fully serviced. Im sure most would have assumed it was done correctly.
Another reason dealerships dont touch my vehicles. 2 wheels or 4!
I wish you luck sorting this out, its unfortunate cuz you should be out enjoying your new ride!