My 07 ultra transmission has always been quiet with the exception as normal shifting clunk. I am using amsoil severe lube in the transmission. I does it at 38-48 mph only whether the clutch is in or out and in 4th also at the same speed.
i called the shop that put my tires on yesterday and they did check the wheel bearings. I trust my mech. at the shop he has always went beyond what is expected. He adjusted the clutch and oiled the cables.
dd

 

Did you do anything a week ago that might've contributed to the change? Adjust the belt? I've had a whine for about a year that sounds identical to yours, occurring at exactly the same speeds, and it started shortly after installing an E3 on the rear. I've replaced the front tire with an E3 and adjusted the belt tighter and looser, now set looser than spec (˝" @ 10# cold). No change.

E3's are very popular with Gold Wingers and some complain of whining/groaning on corners. I've heard a few complaints of whine going straight-ahead, which makes me lean toward blaming the rear tire. This E3 now has 16k on it and I'm wondering if it'll ever wear out. When it does and I replace it the noise should at least change in tone and/or intensity. These E3's are so good I would not abandon them because of a noise like this, if indeed they turn out to be the cause.

Mine is speed-related, and RPM or gear selection is irrelevant--louder on the left side near the primary when riding. That could only be a tire; belt; or wheel, IDS, or tranny output-shaft bearing. I don't think it's a bearing because it doesn't sound like a bad bearing to me, and rolling the bike out of the garage with engine off reveals no noise at all. Jacking the bike up and running at 50mph in 5th gear was inconclusive. No metal on the tranny drain-plug magnet indicates the output-shaft bearing is not coming apart, and if it was a bearing it would've likely failed by now. I have put about 16k on the bike since noticing the noise.

I tried putting Armor-All and dry Teflon spray on the belt with no change. There is some change in tone with throttle input, but hardly noticeable. I do notice that hard left turns reduces the noise a bit, hard right increases it slightly, and heat or road surface doesn't seem to matter. Sometimes it's noisier than others, and I can't find a pattern.

I just chalk it up to another Harley noise I can't find, and a tech at my dealer says "I hear it, but am not too concerned. Doesn't sound like a bearing, but it's probably the belt. Let me know if it gets worse." It hasn't, so I just turn the stereo up and ride it.

Keep me posted on your progress and I'll do the same.

 

That is what I have come to. I changed all fluids in the engine, trans, and primary. It is still there.
Your description is exactly what I was speaking of.

I will just ride and see what happens. I do not have any long trips until The 3rd week of September-"Trail of Tears".
You got it iclick

Thank you all for your responses.
I have plenty of volume so I will just turn it up from 4 bars to 5 bars, hope my friends enjoy classic rock. LOL

 

Exactly what has your dealer told you? Have they ridden the bike? I described it to a service writer that I respect when my bike was still in warranty, and without riding it he said it is definitely the belt and recommended a dry lubricant. You would think that throttle input would make a difference if it was the belt, as well as adding lubricant and/or changing tension, but none of that makes any or much difference.

Since we both have E3 rear tires and I started noticing the noise shortly after installing my E3, I would tend to suspect it as the source. As I said, if that is the noise-maker it would not deter me from buying another, as they are too good to abandon for something this minor, IMO.

 

if you're using light weight trans oil that may cause noise. odd that it occurs at a particular speed though. i'd be looking at two possible causes that come to mind. first would be changing out the trans oil to royal purple, or redline shockproof heavy, at the 75-140 weight. second place might be the front brake pads rocking in their seat of the calipers. or if it became an issue right after you replaced the rear brake pads, it might have been that simple, an issue with how they pads were installed, although i doubt they could have been installed wrong, i don't know. hope you get it figured out though.

 

I have decided that it is the belt, like iclick said. I did the same checks as he did with the same results. In greenhouses they use large exhaust fans and the belts through time do the same thing. We use a bar of soap to quieten them. I used a spray for belts and it only changed the pitch of the sound.
I am thinking that maybe the folks had over tightened the belt the time before last, different shop, and caused the belt to wear differently.
Who really knows.
I am using amsoil severe lube 75-90 weight in the trans.
I have never had any noise from my trans, no 5th gear wine.

In God we Trust

dd

 

My bike makes this noise too and at the same speeds you listed. I know this is an old thread, just wondering what that noise turned out to be?

 

My 02 Ultra was making the same noise and it turned out to be the belt.

 

does it only do it when leaning to the left at that speed? It could be the belt rubbing just a little on the belt guard. mine does it. belt is fine though

 

Because folks are newly asking about trans whinning sounds, I'll chime in. I've an 09 SG that has very pronounced whinning in 5th, especially around 40-50 mph. I believe the sound is due to straight cut gears and that HD went to helical cuts on 5th since 09, eliminating the whine. Not sure the year.

I switched to Redline MTL 75W80 GL-4 Gear Oil and have less whine (and much better shifting), but it still whines in 5th.

Actually, I tend to appreciate having an audible 5th gear "indicator."