You should not have to spend 2500 more on the bike so that you can not hear these noises. I've fixed many a bike, but I was going to leave this one stock because it was suppose to have 93ftlbtq, and quiet drive train, I paid 21,500 for my bike and I shouldn't have to spend any more.

 

I have a 07 FLHX with around 3000 miles on the bike. I changed the tranny fluid with Formula+ at 500, 1000 (dealer) and at 3000 miles, there has been no metallic particles in the fluid. The 5th gear whine is gradually getting louder with mileage. Initially, I didn't notice the whine when I got the bike around a two months ago. I previously had a 2006 FXDI35 Superglide 35 with the 6 speed and the engine and transmission were quiet, especially the transmission through all the gears, including 5th. I don't believe that the 2006 and 2007 6 speeds are that different. It is a mystery why HD made 1-4th gears helicut, 5th straight cut and 6th direct drive (Baker patent?). I believe there is more to the store than what HD is not releasing out to the press. They probably will have to deal with it soon. What have the dealers been telling everyone?

 

HD factory rep going to check out my bike this Friday at noon. Bet he says normal. Will ask to ride another bike to compare. Will let you know.

 

Sonny been there,Rep even dynoed another used 07 for me-it made same noise and motor as cold for test.Tried to force the normal line on me too.Fueling seems to cure or at least greatly help this noise.Have him let you try one that has a SERT upgrade.That should make him squirm.

 

SERT makes a big difference. Makes the bike rideable, but it still is not what it should be. If I keep it above 2400 rpm and don't use 6th at any speed, it does fairly good. Seems I spend the time riding being careful not to let it drop below 2500 rpm instead of enjoying the ride. The SERT completely eliminated the heat issue.

 

2007 RK. 4,500 miles. 5th gear whine, 6th gear clatter. I've decided just to ride it hard and put it away wet. But, I do make sure when I go in for servicing that they keep putting my complaints on the ticket even though I know they're not going to do anything about them. That's just in case there's some kind of class action or recall down the road I'll at least have a paper trail. Unfortunately, Lemon Law here in Florida doesn't cover motorcycles. Even if it did, I've been told that without some kind of documented mechanical failure (and to be honest, I haven't read of any mechanical failures on any of these forum posts. At least not yet) I would just be whistling Dixie, anyway. I believe that unless and until these noise-related problems lead to clearcut mechanical failure that we all are pretty much spitting in the wind. I gotta say that I am totally amazed at the mechanical expertise of some the members of this forum like Gunrunner. Their advice, while maybe not being able to completely solve the problems, can at least make them more bearable until a permanent solution is found by the MoCo (if ever). My advice to everyone, and it's not mechanical cause I can barely change my own oil, is document, document, document. And, I intend to keep complaining every chance I get. That loud whining the dealers and H-D customer service are going to keep hearing won't all be from the trannies of all the 07's, it'll also be from me personally (would you care for some cheese with your whine?) and hopefully from many other 07 owners keeping the pressure on. I believe that should owner pressure stop for any reason that the MoCo will simply stop trying to rectify the problems. "Squeaky wheel" theory. Ride safe.

 

I have been watching this post for two weeks now. I bought an 07 FLHT two weeks ago and have 480 miles on it, mostly commuting back and forth to work in morning traffic but also some open road riding. I'm having all of the problems that are discussed here. Even when I wind 4th gear to the breaking point, 5th gear still sounds like it's lugging when I shift. The descriptions I have read of 5th gear sounding like a can of rocks is quite accurate. Then the incessant whining begins until I shift to 6th. What's more, the bike runs so hot that the chrome on the cover near the exhaust pipes (primary cover, I think, it's the cover directly behind the foot brake pedal and right above the foot rest) is bluing from heat just like the exhaust pipes. Furthermore, when I start this bike the cranking this bike it pops like a gun.

Maybe this post will reveal my ignorance of Harleys, but I can qualify my own credentials when it comes to listening to mechanical things for problems. I was a diesel mechanic for nine years in the Marines working on Detriots for mechanized infantry vehicles (LAVs) and a mechanic at Burbank airport for the fuel trucks for two years. Anyone that worked on Detroits back in the day before computerization knows that the best diagnotic tool available was a good ear. And this 07 96ci 6-sped drive train just doesn't sound right.

When I broached the subject of my complaints with the service dept at my dealership, they gave me a song and dance about everything being normal. They promised to provide me with factory bulletins that say it's all alright. What an exercise in futility. I now work in civil law and we laughingly call such stroke jobs "comfort letters."

I traded in my 06 XL1200 Custom Sportster for the bike I have now. It was a huge mistake. While there is no disputing that the 07 FLHT is a far superior bike in terms of riding comfort, its performance compared to the Sportster and relative to the discrepancy in their respective sizes is quite poor. I wish I had my humble Sporty back.

 

I understand some folks are having trouble. The tranny noise is worse in some than others I hear. I have 1600 miles on mine now and although 5th sounds "different" than the other gears, it isn't "rocks in a can." The popping noise from the starter is documented as being due to the length of a part in the starter reaching the end of its travel during the starting process, the longer stroke causes it to reach the end. The MoCo claims it is not damaging anything, I tend to agree (for now). I had the heat problem for about 1000 miles. When I did my 1000 mile service I put on the SE slip-on exhaust, the high flow intake and a SERT and temp dropped right off. My house needed lots of stuff when I bought it too. I don't see any problem with this. I hear some folks have figured out a map to use with the SERT just to reduce the heat without changing the pipes and intake. Overall mine is an excellent motorcycle. Hope the others with issues get them sorted out.

 

My 07 FLHTC runs sweet. No unusual noises in the trans. I put the PC, SE air cleaner and SE slip on's on her.

Couldn't be happier!

 

Your blue pipe is the EXHAUST PIPE , if you look you will see there is a few inch gap between the first heat shield coming from the head to the second heat shield going back by the transmission, ALL exhaust pipes turn colors not just harleys its NORMAL nothing at all to worry about, and if it bugs you kuriakin and harley both make heat shield pieces to fill in that gap. As for your sporty being more performance packed, anyone who know harleys will tell you a 1200 sportster will smoke EVERY big twin stock harley and most lightly modified ones made.