I bought a 2004 Ultra with 18,000 miles in May. Riding with the wife the other night we both thought we were hearing a different noise. We were wearing full coverage helmets, so it is difficult to hear and differentiate noises. I thought it might be the primary chain. I inspected it and found no issues. I checked the trans fluid and nothing registered on the dip stick. I decided to change the fluids, and only got about 3 ounces of oil out of the trans. I put new oil in the trans and primary and took it for a ride. It seems like I hear 4th gear "singing" when maintaining a steady speed at 2,500 to 3,000 rpms. Everything seems to work fine but I am concerned about the noise. It is not significant but it does sound different that 3rd or 5th. I did not find any significant crud in the oil. Any thoughts?

 

You may want to change it again and see what is on the drain plug. also give the fluid a good look for metal shavings. You may try redline super shock heavy gear oil.
Good luck.

 

If you got 3 oz out of transmission, sure you did not just screw the wrong plug out of the engine sump were there is about that much. Your engine oil is actually the lower pan on the transmission and the sump plug really should not be removed.

 

my 05 ultra has a different sound in 4th gear than is does in 3rd or 5th. it's always been like that and it seems to run just fine so i haven't done anything about it.

 

Thanks for the responses guys. I will give the Red Line a shot. Do you use it in the Primary as well, or just in the trans? As you guys can probably tell this is my first Harley. I did buy the factory service manual and believe I used the right plug to drain the transmission. Even if I didn't, it took 20 oz to come to the bottom line on the dip stick with the plug just resting in the hole and then I topped it off to bring it up to the top line. Everything seems to be working fine, but I am planning to take a trip into Canada in a couple of weeks and the small amount of fluid in the trans freaked me out. I have to wonder where it goes? It is not leaking.

 

Only in the Trans.

 

I have an 04 as well and the sound in 4th is different as well... but the lack of oil when you drained is a bit concerning.

When I bought my bike the previous owner said he had just had the oil changed. When I pressed him for a copy of the paperwork, he finally admitted he did it himself. Not really trusting that, I decided to service all three holes myself. I found the oil came out looking quite black, the primary a little lighter, and the trans perfectly clean. So either he changed the wrong hole or I have a trans issue he was trying to cover up with fresh fluid.

Time will tell I guess.

BTW, I assume you know that oil is checked leaning on the stand but trans is checked upright.

 

If this is the first time you checked/changed it,maybe the previous owner forgot to refill.

Like someone else said change the gear lube again.Run it till it gets hot,then drian.See what comes out.
If it looks good,put some Redline Shockproof Heavy in.

 

I bought the manual, so I did know to check the oil on the stand and the trans standing vertical. I am draining the trans and putting in the red line. I appreciate the tips. Hope it holds up. If it does, they must be pretty stout to hold up with only 3 ounces for 1,300 miles.

 

The primary and engine can get together. if you check my album, I call out the seal behind the alternator. Do not think the transmission can get anywhere except on the ground. Hope it did not run long with 3 ozs. although like primary it can live a while quite low. Probably not good for it.