Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Tranny clunk

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 28, 2010 | 08:22 AM
  #11  
Spur56's Avatar
Spur56
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 540
Likes: 3
From: Nooga, TN
Default

It is my belief it is just the nature of wet clutches. I have never seen a harley that did not clunk. Tend to be worse when the primary is cold because the primary fluid is thicker. Because of the fluid between the plates the clutch never really "completely" disengages. There is always some engagement due to the fluid between the plates. Just the nature of the beast and it is part of what makes a harley a harley. The straight cut gears used for 1 through 4 or 5 also makes for a more harsh engagement, but straight cut gears are extremely strong. Using a thinner fluid like ATF would probably reduce the effect, but it will probably not go away.

A Harley just has certain things that are somewhat unique. Learn to embrace it and love it. Louder pipes and music help also.
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2010 | 09:31 AM
  #12  
Scorpion07's Avatar
Scorpion07
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 3
From: Southeastern Michigan
Default

I've found when adjusting my clutch, that the looser parameter, 1 turn (?) out from bottom, actually yields better results in clutch action. I've done the tighter 1/2 turn (?) out and was not happy with the action. And YES, I have to look at the manual every time!!!
Once your clutch is adjusted correctly, the clunk will lessen.
 

Last edited by Scorpion07; May 28, 2010 at 09:33 AM.
Reply
Old May 28, 2010 | 11:15 AM
  #13  
paguy's Avatar
paguy
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
From: Berwick, Pa.
Default

Last night when I reset, probably for the 6th time in last two weeks, the screw set easier. When I took up the slack up on cable the cable set a lot closer to the top. I'm now thinking discs were sticking. Anyway, set screw at about 3/4 out. Rode the hell out of bike for 10 miles, up and down steep hills and drag quick on highway. I'm still getting the normal clunk, occassionally, but everything, including ease of lever seems good. Thanks.
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2010 | 08:14 PM
  #14  
emwolb's Avatar
emwolb
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 17
From: eastern oklahoma
Default

thanks CroK, i just bought a quart of the redline shockpruf v twin stuff hoping it was the same as the previous shockpruf heavy. i'm glad you verified that it's the stuff i wanted to put in my trans. i've been using royal purple in the motor and trans and primary, and it's worked well. then all of the sudden the max cycle royal purple went from 8 bucks a quart to over 14 bucks a quart. back to syn 3 for now anyway. i won't use amzoil because it's hard to find. the mobil 1 v twin at walmart will probably be my next oil. but i'm glad you verified that i got the right shockproof stuff. thanks, that's the answer i was looking for an unasked question.
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2010 | 09:03 PM
  #15  
BoomerBob's Avatar
BoomerBob
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 1
From: Desert S. West
Default

Originally Posted by paguy
Last night when I reset, probably for the 6th time in last two weeks, the screw set easier. When I took up the slack up on cable the cable set a lot closer to the top. I'm now thinking discs were sticking. Anyway, set screw at about 3/4 out. Rode the hell out of bike for 10 miles, up and down steep hills and drag quick on highway. I'm still getting the normal clunk, occassionally, but everything, including ease of lever seems good. Thanks.
I'm glad you got it sorted out. Clutches can be fickle sometimes.

On my old '69 Shovel I was running a primary belt and a dry clutch. Every so often I'd have to pull the clutch, clean the plates and friction surfaces with brake cleaner, and readjust. I got pretty quick at it after doing it a gazzilion times over the 12 years I rode that bike.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kylebryan
Touring Models
13
Oct 20, 2019 08:34 PM
Jag Jim
EVO
28
Oct 23, 2018 12:02 PM
gliderman
Touring Models
3
Jun 18, 2014 08:22 PM
gavdar
Primary/Transmission/Driveline/Clutch
6
Sep 1, 2012 04:22 AM
Kaycee
Primary/Transmission/Driveline/Clutch
5
Apr 14, 2010 08:49 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:54 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE