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5th gear whine

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Old Jun 17, 2009 | 01:44 PM
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Default 5th gear whine

I seem to remember some posts on this, but I had a very specific experience so I'll toss it up again.

I rented an 09 FLHRC with 1300 miles on it. I put another 1100 miles on it in the 3 days I had it. Other than the bars giving me a pain between the should blades (known issue) and having stock a/c, pipes, map, there was only one thing that bothered me. Fifth gear sounded BAD!!!

It sounded like 1st gear, but WAY louder. I have an 07 FXDC now and I don't hear ANYTHING like that (could it be my pipes?)

Anyway, when I took it back, I asked the rental guy about it, he said "yea, you can put Red Line in it to make it quieter" and kinda shrugged it off. When I asked about Harly's warranty with using other than Syn III in there, he said, yea - we put Syn III in everything.

Like I said, I've heard a few comments about this noise - is it something that some bikes have and others don't? Anyone worked through it under warranty?

I'm seriously considering trading up come model year rollover, but this is kinda scary.....

Thanks!
 
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Old Jun 17, 2009 | 01:57 PM
  #2  
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My '08 Road King Classic likes a good whine in 5th. Checked with the dealer who said they all do that. Hoping it'll ease with miles but I'll cure it properly next year with some louder pipes
 
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Old Jun 17, 2009 | 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by TurkeyRun
I seem to remember some posts on this, but I had a very specific experience so I'll toss it up again.

I rented an 09 FLHRC with 1300 miles on it. I put another 1100 miles on it in the 3 days I had it. Other than the bars giving me a pain between the should blades (known issue) and having stock a/c, pipes, map, there was only one thing that bothered me. Fifth gear sounded BAD!!!

It sounded like 1st gear, but WAY louder. I have an 07 FXDC now and I don't hear ANYTHING like that (could it be my pipes?)

Anyway, when I took it back, I asked the rental guy about it, he said "yea, you can put Red Line in it to make it quieter" and kinda shrugged it off. When I asked about Harly's warranty with using other than Syn III in there, he said, yea - we put Syn III in everything.

Like I said, I've heard a few comments about this noise - is it something that some bikes have and others don't? Anyone worked through it under warranty?

I'm seriously considering trading up come model year rollover, but this is kinda scary.....

Thanks!
Could be the pipes, but I'm guessing you don't have a windshiels on the FX. That seems to amplify sounds. You may not know it, but your engine has valvetrain noise too...

My fifth gear whine (not a problem, btw - just normal sounds with straight cut gears) has either gotten better over the last 14k miles, or I've just learned to ignore it. I do run gear oil in the gear box instead of motor oil, FWIW. Don't worry about it. Ride it!
 
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Old Jun 17, 2009 | 02:14 PM
  #4  
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I have it on mine to! Ijust turn up the music!
 
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Old Jun 17, 2009 | 02:33 PM
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I like it, it makes me remeber theres one more gear left. BTW 3er gear also sound a bit diferent and whines if you try to push in 3er at low rpm
 
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Old Jun 17, 2009 | 02:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Solitario
I like it, it makes me remeber theres one more gear left. BTW 3er gear also sound a bit diferent and whines if you try to push in 3er at low rpm

yep..me too...hard to mistake what gear your in
 
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Old Jun 17, 2009 | 03:43 PM
  #7  
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Mine makes it as well. I have Redline shockproof heavy lube in it, it's not that bad though and I hardley ever notice it between the pipes and radio.
 
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Old Jun 17, 2009 | 03:51 PM
  #8  
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Yes Redline quiets down fifth and no it does not void the warranty. Fifth gear whine does reduce with miles. Mine was pretty loud when new and now just barely hear it once in a while. 21k on the bike.
 
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Old Jun 17, 2009 | 04:32 PM
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I went with Amsoil 75W - 140 in mine for the summer. Compared to the Syn3 that was in there, the difference (quieter / smoother) is definitely noticeable.
 
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Old Jun 17, 2009 | 04:37 PM
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I have a slight whine on my 08 FLHP, but nothing like you guys are describing. I usually upshift to 5th around 55mph, and I hear the whine, but it is gone by the time I hit 65.
 
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