Turned 65 and bought a Harley: 09 Ultra Classic. Put 2,000 miles on it the first month. Rode today for the first time without a helmet. Big difference in the sounds I'm hearing. When shifting it sounds like the kitchen sink is being ripped out of the wall. Is this typical of Harley transmissions? I'm running the Mobil1 90 weight in the tranny. Any ideas? Thanks...

 

If it doesn't clunk when you shift, start to worry.

 

You're gonna hear all kinds of strange sounds without a helmet. My sportbikes sound like they're coming apart when I run them up and down the road without a helmet, Harleys have larger parts and are gonne be noisier. The only thing I can think is you might check your clutch adjustment. Since the primary chain is now auto tensioned that shouldn't be the problem but it's possible the clutch has loosened up a bit, not likely but possible. My 06 Ultra was shifting lousy and making noise at around 20,000 miles until I adjusted the primary and clutch. Felt and sound like a new bike at that point.

If you're gonna ride without a helmet you might consider foam earplugs. I've worn earplugs all my riding career and I can tell when I've forgotten to put them in.

 

I think I'd still look at the clutch adjustment. The cable could have stretched some.

Clunking, is typical of the HD tranny, though.
I think you could minimize it a bit by going with the Redline Heavy Shockproof.

 

i'm with Edwardk on this one. If it doesn't clunk, worry about it.

 

Welcome to the family. Where else can you spend upwards of $25,000 dollars for a tranny that clunks (LOL). Don't worry, my 59 pan and all eleven of my most recent HD's had clunking trannys and I've never had to replace or work on a tranny yet.

Terry

 

Turn the radio WAY UP!!!!!.......... And welcome to the forum and Harley World.

 

Yep, they clunk.

 

Yes...I get the clunk when I shift to 1st...from there on its more of a click....

 

If mine didn't, i would be looking to see if someone stole something off mine.