first gear clunk fix
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
no the engine sounds like a sewing machine 
(i think hydraulic lifters are the culprit) . The normal noises don't bother me at all , hey , they are normal !!! Dont forget , you are riding a "machine". I too use the 1st and 5th gear whine to find gears sometimes , not to metion downshifting into 1rst produces a clunk you can feel even with headphones on .
(i think hydraulic lifters are the culprit) . The normal noises don't bother me at all , hey , they are normal !!! Dont forget , you are riding a "machine". I too use the 1st and 5th gear whine to find gears sometimes , not to metion downshifting into 1rst produces a clunk you can feel even with headphones on .Hey, I wonder if that could be used as a defense in court? (LOL)
"Your Honor, can we take a recess so's you can hear my sewing machine?"
"Case dismissed",....."You NEED those loud pipes!".
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,146
Likes: 471
From: along the Front Range in Colorado
i read an an article reviewing one'a the new Touring models a while back & the guy talked about how the 'clunk into 1st' was still there, and how that 'wasn't a bad thing, just a Harley thing'.
..... yep, just a Harley thing.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 4
From: El Cajon Ca.
The clunk you hear is because the clutch plates are hanging together. ATF helps cure this because it is thinner and is designed for clutches inside an auto trans. You do need to make sure your clutch is adjusted. If you start the bike and pull in the clutch lever and blip the throttle it helps the clutch plates separate and it won't clunk as bad. Wait for your bike to idle down before putting it in gear though. When the clutch plates are hanging up everything else is spinning too so you get the clunk which is bringing everything to an abrupt halt.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 4
From: El Cajon Ca.
The clunk you hear is because the clutch plates are hanging together. ATF helps cure this because it is thinner and is designed for clutches inside an auto trans. You do need to make sure your clutch is adjusted. If you start the bike and pull in the clutch lever and blip the throttle it helps the clutch plates separate and it won't clunk as bad. Wait for your bike to idle down before putting it in gear though. When the clutch plates are hanging up everything else is spinning too so you get the clunk which is bringing everything to an abrupt halt.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 3
From: Slidell, Louisiana
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,331
Likes: 56
From: north of Daytona
I hardly here the 'clunk' anymore.....more ME getting used to it rather then the clunk going away.
chuck the mensh