Has anyone experienced a real bad clunk while starting the new 07 roadglide?
I asked the dealer and he said they all do that.
I just picked up a new 07 roadglide Sat. I tried to trade my 2000 victory v92c
but they could not find a wholesaler that would buy it. The Victory dealer
would not even take it.
Also I hear what sounds like gravel or marbles rolling around inside when I shift to 5th.
Anyone heard this as well.
Thanks.
Tom

 

Normal sounds, dont lug the engine in 5th. Do a search on the topics.

 

My 07 SG clunks when cranked as well. As far as gravely noises, If it does, I havent heard it. In fact, I havent heard any tranny noises that have been reported. Roop

 

That pop when you start it is normal...(the other sounds...read the threads.) You get used to that starter pop pretty quickly its now just another harley noise...like valve train clatter and the shift clunk......funny how you start liking noises that non-harley riders would freak about.

 

The Motor Co. blames the noise on the compensator sprocket while starting the engine.

 

My bike sounds like something is cracking when starting it cold. It almost sounds like metal snapping. When doing a warm startup it sounds "normal".

 

Here is the service reply from harley explaining the sound;
TT258 – August 9, 2006

Primary Drive / Starter Noise Complaints

Several dealers and customers have commented about a “clunking� noise coming from the
primary housing during start up. Most dealers suspect a loose compensator because the
noise seems to come from the front of the housing. Customers tend to associate it with a
starter issue like improper starter drive engagement into the clutch’s ring gear. In fact the
condition they are noticing is what is referred to as “Starter Knock�. This is a normal sound
and condition for all 2007 Twin Cam models.

Changes in the primary drive system increased the diameter and inertial effects of the
rotating components (clutch and sprocket assembly, ring gear, and engine sprocket). Also,
the engine control system is calibrated to start the engine as quickly as possible (short crank
to run times) and to run up to the predetermined engine idle speed as quickly as possible to
provide very positive starting.

Because the engine fires and then runs up to speed very quickly, there is a large torque input
and instantaneous speed differential between the engine and spring loaded compensator
mounted between the engine and the driveline. The compensator is there to dampen the high
torque spikes inherent in a large displacement V-Twin.
Because of the increased inertia in the rotating components in the driveline, their rotational
speed cannot increase as fast as the engine, so the springs in the compensator momentarily
bottom and results in the sound that you hear.
The same sound exists in the 2006 Dyna models, but to a lesser extent. The increase in
displacement to 1584cc increased the torque spike and speed differential in the 2007’s and
causes the sound to be more noticeable.
There is no damage associated with the compensator bottoming.
Identifying characteristics of this condition:
1. It may be intermittent, as it is dependant on the start up conditions and how quickly the
ignition and engine RPM occurs.
2. It will be a single event. Once the starter is disengaged or the compensator is loaded
the sound will stop, unlike a loose sprocket assembly.
3. The condition may be more noticeable on Touring models due to the shorter primary
drive (shaft center to center distance) and associated shorter chain run. The extra
body parts like fairings and saddlebags also tend to reflect powertrain sounds upward,
towards your ears.

 

too many strange noises with these 07's if you ask me... good luck with it though.

 

I'm with DV on this one.... Too many nasty "normal" noises...

Not that I can find any good reason to get rid of my '03 (other than I really like the SGs), but I think if I do I'll wait until these noises aren't so normal.

 

The "normal" line was just buying them time.