That's prety much been myexperience. After reading extensively about the '07 tranny issues I believe there are at least two issues; the clatter issue which I haven't experienced and the 5th gear whine which I believe to some degree everyone has. Forum members have posted that they have used heavier gear lube in the tranny and that hasn't improved the issue. I believe "The issue" is the clatter not the whine. Heavier gear lube from my experience will significantly reduce the 5th gear whine.

I like 6th gear on the highway above 60-65. Very smooth. My original issue, consciously or unconscously,was back road riding, trying to stay away from a noisy 5th gear while noticing the mpg drop off a cliff. That perfect gear doesn't exist!!! I find 4th good to 60/3000rpms.

If the '08's are significantly quieter (whine/clatter) it's either the new IDS sprocket or someone is going to eventually (sooner hoepfully thatn later) identify the changes that can be retrofitted to the '07's.

 

I've been following this thread since I joined the forum--and the one thing anyone reading it can see is this: whether you happen to own a quiet '07 or not--there is obviously a problem, and one that isn't going away and getting worse with time. That a company such as Baker saw the opportunity to develop a solution--as well as the countless people on here posting with different models--is proof that no matter how you spin this thing, it's a real problem for those of us signed the loan docs on these beautiful machines, hopeful that our experience would be all we dreamt it would be. For those of you who want to believe that HD knew what it was doing and that this noise is by design, feel free to trade in your older ones for one of ours and let's see how long you put up with it without complaining because the engineer who decided to mix a straight cut set of teeth into the cluster at the gear most of us feel best in was really a good idea. I'd challenge any of the skeptics watching this thread to say they'd stand for this if it were a noise they were hearing in a brand new car. I think the most insulting part of this entire thing is the way the dealerships--in particular the service areas--are dismissing this noise. You'd think as mechanics they'd know better, and would advocate change to the company. Hell even if HD offered a simple revision to change out the straight cuts with helicals for us at a fixed and reasonable price--say in the 300.00 range--I'd be first in line. But to have to go out and drop another couple of grand or more on someone else's fix to a problem anyone with a fair amount of intelligence and mechanical aptitude recognizes is a problem just doesn't seem right to me or a lot of other folks.
About going with a heavier oil? Think several times about it. I was told by my dealership that putting anything other than HD's product in the tranny will void warranty. They said if I had any tranny problems, HD would look first at the tranny for residue from "non HD oils." This was odd because they put in a different product at the 2500 mile service. They are now insisting that at the 5000 mile service I let them flush it out. Apparently HD has mandated this recent policy and if you don't believe it, give the service dept a call. I was angry enough to contact the director of sales and marketing at this "non-HD tranny oil" company. I got an immediate response that this was unacceptable, and that it would be looked into, especially since this particular company happens to be one of HD's racing suppliers for this product. Several days later, the response back had changed tone--he is now suggesting that if I have any doubts, I should put in the HD product. I'll let you guys out there decide what to think about this, but I guess if I still have warranty left I'll do what they say, against my better judgement.
As for the clatter, mine is getting worse and I now notice it from time to time in 4th. There's been talk in here about this hurting resale value on these bikes and I think that is pretty much a no-brainer. How many of you out there on the thread not having this issue would step up and buy ours right this moment if you were shopping for an '07?

 

Interesting post. What "different product" did they put in at the 2500 mile check up? Did you have a 1000 mile check up and a 2500 mile check up? There's no 2500 mile check up mentioned in the owners manual. Just curious. Regarding heavier tranny fluid..the service manager at my dealer suggested "the heavier the better" and put heavier "non HD" gear grease in my tranny at the 1000 mile check up. Works great!

 

Redline Heavy. Yes, I had the 1K and then a 2.5K. What I find interesting is that the service dept put it in without comment, then approx 2 weeks later when I called them to arrange to look at the bike and listen to the tranmission I was asked if I'd changed fluids to something other than the HD product. I said yes, that in fact they'd done it there. The response was that they had just recently recieved a mandate from HD corporate that any non-HD fluid would void warranty on the tranny. I relayed this information to Redline, they looked into it and came back with a neutral response. Open to interpretation--could mean nothing at all, and many heremay feel that if a fluid meets standards it should be ok to use.....I just think this type of information needs to be shared for anyone thinking about a different oil.

 

HD Customer service recommended that I change to a heavier gear lube to quieten it down some. Didn't work. Told me that it wouldn't void my warranty.

 

I picked up my 07 Ultra about 5 weeks ago. It's my first HD, and a gift to myself for spending the last 18 months in Iraq. I've followed this thread closely, as I also have experienced the 5th gear whine and the "rocks in a tin can" sound in 5th and 6th at 2100-2500 rpm. Most other HD owners have told me to get used to it, but I bought the best HD I could, I thought. Anyway, I recently had Rinehart true duals installed along with the Power Commander and a big sucker air cleaner. I also had the 1000m service done at East Coast Performance Cycle in MD. They recommended Syn 3 for the motor and Redline in the gearbox. As soon as I started the bike, I knew the decision to go with the exhausts was the right one. It now sounds like a HD. And, when I shifted into 5th for the first time, no whine - gone. Or, at a minimum I couldn't hear it over the wonderful sound coming from the exhausts. But, the rocks are still there, but not as bad. I told my riding buddy Sunday that beforethe mods, I really didn't like the Ultra because as you have all stated so eloquently, at 23-25K, the product should not have problems. But, last Sunday, after about 150 miles of great riding,and now that it is broken in, the thrill of the power and the ride, I love this thing!

 

I called HD Customer Svc after hearing what I did on the non-HD product and was told that I could use any product that met specs--however, if it was found that that other product contributed to any damage on the tranny, HD would void warranty accordingly.

 

I also put a fuel management system, stage oneairand better pipes on my RKC shortly after purchasing it. The clatter is still there and growing, with or without the windshield. There are obviously a lot of variations on this problem and as many variations as to who's hearing what and under what circumstances. I hear it no matter what, my wife hears it when she's riding on the back or next to me. On the other hand, the service departments seem to have hired mostly deaf technicians in this state and like magic--the bike never has a problem on the paperwork.

I also love my bike. There's a lot to appreciate about these machines. I just don't enjoy hearinga noise that I didn't payto add on

 

It appears what you're hearing from the dealer is a combination of Harley's warranty policy and commercial policy. I find if you ask 6 dealers the same warranty question you can get as many as six different variations of the same answer. I believe the answer you got from Harley HD customer svc is not just accurate but the only answer based in 2007 law. No manufacturer can force you to use their oil. They can void your waranty if the product you use does not meet their minimum requirements and it can be proven this alternative product contributed to the failure of their product. My dealer/service managerrecommended a non-Harley brand oil/gear lube and a heavier weight gear lube. They don't sell other oil/gear lube brands. HD frowns on it and once you open up the "which oil to use" can of worms there is not end to it. It's just easier for them to sell just HD products. They did however put the non-HD fluids that I supplied in my engine/tranny at the 1000 mi check up. I have great confidence in them because they have consistently provided real world (not HD text book) answers to my never ending list of questions.

Still confused about that 2500 mi check up you mentioned. These new bikes need to be checked at 1000, 2500 and 5000 miles??? Seems like a lot.

 

I'M A NOT-SO- PROUD OWNER OF A 2007 CLATTER KING CLASSIC. I ALSO BEEN FOLLOWING THREADS LIKE THIS TO FIND SOME SOLUTION TO THIS CLATTERING PROBLEM. AMERICAN IRON MAG. HAS BEEN LOOKING INTO PROBLEMS WITH THE 07 BIKES. EVERONE SHOULD READ THE ARTICAL IN THE LATEST ISSUE ON THESE BIKE'S DRIVE TRAINS. THE PROBLEM ARE NOT ONLY IN THE TRANSMITION. ITSAID THAT THE HEAT WAS COMING FROM THE LONGER STROKE OF THE MOTOR (THEY THINK HARLEY WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER OFFWITH BIGGER BORE CYLINDERS INSTED OF THE LONGER STROKE). IT TALKS ABOUT THATMANY OF THE MOTORS ON THE 2007 BEING DEFECTIVE WITH RUN-OUT THAT DON'T MEET SPECS,(CRANK SHAFT WOBBLE)WHICHWILL CAUSE A LOT OF MAJORFAILURES QUICKER AND ROUGH RUNNING BIKES ARE PROBABLY A SIGN OF THIS PROBLEM. IF THISSHOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THEN WHAT GOOD IS ANY WARRANTY!!!!