Harsh upshift from neutral to first
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 287
Likes: 6
From: N/A
Harsh upshift from neutral to first
I have a 2011 FLHP with about 850 miles and I have a concern.
When I shift from neutral to first, the shift is very harsh.
By harsh, I mean it goes into first with a very loud "clunk" and the rear wheel turns
It only does this once, first thing in the morning.
For the rest of the day, the shifting is fine.
Could this be a clutch adjustment or could iit be inherrant to the cop bikes because they have the extra clutch disk?
I'm due for the 1K service soon and would like some ammunition when the dealer tells me "it's normal"
When I shift from neutral to first, the shift is very harsh.
By harsh, I mean it goes into first with a very loud "clunk" and the rear wheel turns
It only does this once, first thing in the morning.
For the rest of the day, the shifting is fine.
Could this be a clutch adjustment or could iit be inherrant to the cop bikes because they have the extra clutch disk?
I'm due for the 1K service soon and would like some ammunition when the dealer tells me "it's normal"
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 673
From: Rolla
I have a 2011 FLHP with about 850 miles and I have a concern.
When I shift from neutral to first, the shift is very harsh.
By harsh, I mean it goes into first with a very loud "clunk" and the rear wheel turns
It only does this once, first thing in the morning.
For the rest of the day, the shifting is fine.
Could this be a clutch adjustment or could iit be inherrant to the cop bikes because they have the extra clutch disk?
I'm due for the 1K service soon and would like some ammunition when the dealer tells me "it's normal"
When I shift from neutral to first, the shift is very harsh.
By harsh, I mean it goes into first with a very loud "clunk" and the rear wheel turns
It only does this once, first thing in the morning.
For the rest of the day, the shifting is fine.
Could this be a clutch adjustment or could iit be inherrant to the cop bikes because they have the extra clutch disk?
I'm due for the 1K service soon and would like some ammunition when the dealer tells me "it's normal"
So, what do you mean when you say the rear wheel turns?
If you mean when the rear tire is off the ground, and you shift into first then yes that is normal.
If your sitting on the bike with both wheels on the ground and you shift into first and the bike lurches forward (with clutch pulled in), then no that is not normal.
Harley's have always had some "clunk" when shifting into first. Especially the first shift of the morning if the bike is cold or been sitting over night.
But, it's also possible the clutch needs some adjustment.
They will look at that during the 1k service, or you can get the service manual and do it yourself.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
Letting the bike warm up properly will most likely cure this. Could be a clutch adjustment though. Try letting it warm up for 5 or 10 minutes and then work the clutch in and out a few tines before you shift into 1st and see if the trouble goes away.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 634
Likes: 8
From: Plum & Nearly
The primary oil for the clutch is thicker when COLD. So when the bike is cold and you Disengage the clutch (seperating the plates) the thicker oil tends to cause friction between the plates. Once the bike warms up and the oil thins out a bit, the friction is less and thus you probably dont have a problem. A good clutch adjustment might help the problem but it might not entirely eliminate it when the bike is cold.
PS...police bikes do NOT have an extra disc....the clutch pack assembly is the same as all touring big twin (non CVO) bikes dating back to 1998. The only difference is that police bikes have a heavier clutch diaphragm spring.
PS...police bikes do NOT have an extra disc....the clutch pack assembly is the same as all touring big twin (non CVO) bikes dating back to 1998. The only difference is that police bikes have a heavier clutch diaphragm spring.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 180
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis
Wet clutches (running in oil) do that.
Imagine two DVD discs, one on top of the other, with a layer of motor oil between them. Try to pick up or turn the top one. They are going to act as if they are stuck together. That is what it is like in your primary case.
I often start mine in gear, while holding both brakes on. When I hit the starter, the bike lurches forward a little, but it breaks that stiction, and no clunk going into gear.
Imagine two DVD discs, one on top of the other, with a layer of motor oil between them. Try to pick up or turn the top one. They are going to act as if they are stuck together. That is what it is like in your primary case.
I often start mine in gear, while holding both brakes on. When I hit the starter, the bike lurches forward a little, but it breaks that stiction, and no clunk going into gear.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 409
Likes: 1
From: Utah
It is normal for harley to do that with Dino oil in there. Try putting Redline Primary oil in there, it will get rid of the annoying "clunk"
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 4
From: Victoria, Australia
A clunk is normal at the best of times but if your clutch cable has additional slack in it from stretching (being new) it could be excessive The clutch will be adjusted at the 1000 mile service so tell them the issue which they may be able to improve somewhat.
Clutch cables stretch fairly quickly and this could be contributing to the clunk. How much slack is there at the clutch lever? If the spec is the same as the 09's your looking for a 1/16 to 1/8 inch.
Something you can do is to pull in the clutch lever disengage the clutch for a half minute or so while it's warming up. Most times if I do this mine will not clunk. Sometimes I roll the bike back a bit (with the lever pulled in and it sometimes helps).
Sad to say but it's "normal" even after it's warmed up....
Clutch cables stretch fairly quickly and this could be contributing to the clunk. How much slack is there at the clutch lever? If the spec is the same as the 09's your looking for a 1/16 to 1/8 inch.
Something you can do is to pull in the clutch lever disengage the clutch for a half minute or so while it's warming up. Most times if I do this mine will not clunk. Sometimes I roll the bike back a bit (with the lever pulled in and it sometimes helps).
Sad to say but it's "normal" even after it's warmed up....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 31
From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
+1 .....Mine did the same thing that the OP was talking about...... I used Bel-Ray in the primary and tranny. No more clunk.... and shifting is smoother too.
Last edited by shooter5074; May 11, 2011 at 01:38 PM.