neutral to first clunk 'why'
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 9
From: Queen Creek, AZ
Ha! Agree.....the "***" test.
OP: I've owned a ha;f dozen Hondas followed by 3 Harleys and I can't remember EVER having a bike that did not clunk. Believe me, it sounds a hell of a lot worse to you than it does to people around you. It goes with the territory. The loudness of the clunk varies with RPM, system heating, clutch adjustment and engagement and even how fast you shift. I have found the with my RK, if I come off the throttle "just right" and kick the shifter lightly, i will occasionally get NO clunk!!
I stopped worrying about it!
I stopped worrying about it!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
Try this ( from the 60's) When cold start the bike in neutral with the clutch pulled in. Let the bike idle for 45 seconds. When you shift into 1 st it should be silent and the next 3 to 4 shifts up also.
When every thing gets hot it will go back to clunking. But at least you can get down the block when leaving your garage in blissful silence.
When every thing gets hot it will go back to clunking. But at least you can get down the block when leaving your garage in blissful silence.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 56
From: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
OP: I've owned a ha;f dozen Hondas followed by 3 Harleys and I can't remember EVER having a bike that did not clunk. Believe me, it sounds a hell of a lot worse to you than it does to people around you. It goes with the territory. The loudness of the clunk varies with RPM, system heating, clutch adjustment and engagement and even how fast you shift. I have found the with my RK, if I come off the throttle "just right" and kick the shifter lightly, i will occasionally get NO clunk!!
I stopped worrying about it!
I stopped worrying about it!
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,816
Likes: 7,847
From: SE Louisiana
My '90 UC barely clunks at all, finding neutral is effortless.
A friends '12 limited sounds like he hit it with a hammer, he always has to hold the clutch, neutral for him is a battle, when he does find neutal, the shift to first sounds like he hit it with a maul.
A friends '12 limited sounds like he hit it with a hammer, he always has to hold the clutch, neutral for him is a battle, when he does find neutal, the shift to first sounds like he hit it with a maul.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
Thats no lie, you couldnt gift me one. If its not visually appealing forget it, thats how I was with my Metric cruiser.... couldnt get used to how fuggly it was.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
Finally looked at the video and I have to agree the chain aspect is def dated but since we love the brand and wont take a Victory if they gave it to us I wonder if theres an aftermarket gear option like the cam has...someone creative would make out like a bandit. Going to a belt is not favorable to me but if the design goes back to1939 you gotta wonder why it hasnt been updated?
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 127
From: Coastal Carolina
I was on a group ride up to the York factory with 10 guys, all on Harleys, mostly touring bikes. Every time we were stopped at a light and it turned green, there was a chorus of clunks.
Don't worry about it. It's the nature of the beast.
Don't worry about it. It's the nature of the beast.
