Helical vs Straight Cut 5th Gear
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 7
From: The Great Northwest
I definitely agree with the people don't give a flip about the whine and never did.
The question is "Why did HD swap to the Helical cut 5th gear if the Straight cut gear is supposedly better?"
The question is "Why did HD swap to the Helical cut 5th gear if the Straight cut gear is supposedly better?"
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 162
Likes: 3
But to get back on topic, I agree with the people who feel that HD changed to the Helical gear just so they will not have to hear any more complaints about the 5th gear whine.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 121
From: Northern Illinois
The straight cut 5th gear was a cost cutting move, pure and simple. It backfired, and I'm sure there is some crow eating going on these days at HD. I've got friends that have been riding HD's for 30 years or more that can't stand the fifth gear whine/whir on their 07/08/09's. If it doesn't happen to bother you that's cool too.
I work with a bunch of mechanical engineers that deal with gears allot. In 2006 when the six speed came out their assessment was pretty simple, and straightforward. Their universal opinion was "that's just so wrong".
I work with a bunch of mechanical engineers that deal with gears allot. In 2006 when the six speed came out their assessment was pretty simple, and straightforward. Their universal opinion was "that's just so wrong".
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Bartlett, IL
The straight cut 5th gear was a cost cutting move, pure and simple. It backfired, and I'm sure there is some crow eating going on these days at HD. I've got friends that have been riding HD's for 30 years or more that can't stand the fifth gear whine/whir on their 07/08/09's. If it doesn't happen to bother you that's cool too.
I work with a bunch of mechanical engineers that deal with gears allot. In 2006 when the six speed came out their assessment was pretty simple, and straightforward. Their universal opinion was "that's just so wrong".
I work with a bunch of mechanical engineers that deal with gears allot. In 2006 when the six speed came out their assessment was pretty simple, and straightforward. Their universal opinion was "that's just so wrong".
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 28,128
Likes: 21
From: US poverty capital, california
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Last edited by teqsand; Aug 9, 2009 at 05:11 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
Was riding with a friend yesterday,he has an '09 Heritage....He says his 5th gear makes no noise at all. He has stock exhaust, so there's nothing covering up the engine or transmission noises...He also is still running the regular HD oil in all three holes....
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,582
Likes: 72
From: North East
I may be wrong about this but if I remember correctly from all I read when the 6 speed cruise drive was intoduced, 5th gear has been straight cut gears for a very long time.
What do the experts say?
What do the experts say?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
I am one of those who doesn't give a crap about a little bit of 5th gear noise. If that sound really bothers you, you should see a doc about some medication for that or self medicate with the chill pill of your choice.
Dennis
Dennis
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 121
From: Northern Illinois
Not really wrong, more correctly - not preferred construction for a transmission gear (1st gear not included). It's just cheaper to produce a spur gear, and by it's design will be noisier than a helical.
The angled teeth of the helical gear engage more gradually than do spur gear teeth. This causes helical gears to run more smoothly and quietly than spur gears.
The angled teeth of the helical gear engage more gradually than do spur gear teeth. This causes helical gears to run more smoothly and quietly than spur gears.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,149
Likes: 2,975
From: WACO
I have a 2007 Ultra and have never heard a "5th gear whine". Guess cause I have had only 4 gears for so long. I am just soo damn happy to have two more gears it would'nt matter if it sounded like a log truck.