neutral to first clunk 'why'
+1 on that. Neutral at lights= bad, at least for me. Almost got rear ended by drunk driver once, only thing that saved me was in 1st and happened to be watching them come in the mirror. Hit the go grip and got out of the way. Girl hit car on other side of intersection doing 40+ cop said...
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Advanced
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Along the lines of this topic, why is it that at certain times when you stop and try to put it in first, the shifter feels "different" and you have to give a little gas and let the clutch out a little to get it back to normal?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 268
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
That's normal, they all do that!
Seriously though, it's nothing to worry about unless the bike lurches forward when you go to first from neutral. If it does, then you probably need to adjust the clutch. If that doesn't fix it, then maybe have a bearing in the clutch starting to bind up or something.
Seriously though, it's nothing to worry about unless the bike lurches forward when you go to first from neutral. If it does, then you probably need to adjust the clutch. If that doesn't fix it, then maybe have a bearing in the clutch starting to bind up or something.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 195
From: Ohio
That's normal, they all do that!
Seriously though, it's nothing to worry about unless the bike lurches forward when you go to first from neutral. If it does, then you probably need to adjust the clutch. If that doesn't fix it, then maybe have a bearing in the clutch starting to bind up or something.
Seriously though, it's nothing to worry about unless the bike lurches forward when you go to first from neutral. If it does, then you probably need to adjust the clutch. If that doesn't fix it, then maybe have a bearing in the clutch starting to bind up or something.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 588
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
I am used to the clunk. All three HD's I have owned have had a clunk going in to 1st gear. I used to worry but have never had any issues. Getting in to neutral has been difficult on all three HD's as well, but only initially. They have all seemed to get easier over time (except the 2013, still new). Not sure if it because I finally got used to them or if it just has to break in. It is annoying when you get somewhere and it takes several tries to hit neutral. Usually get strange looks but mainly from the metric guys. The HD owners know the deal.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,721
Likes: 372
From: Tonopah Az
Mine makes a racket going to first and then the rest of the gear changes are loud too. Weird part is my 2011 Wide Glide had the exact same clunk. I guess I have gotten used to it. What I am still not used to is the battle to get in neutral. It takes me 4-5 tries. I go past it every time. I never had this problem with my BMW K1200S but both Harleys have been tough. Not sure why.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, Alberta
That is exactly what happens with my '05 deuce. only when i start it up in the morning. ill let it run for about 30 seconds then put it into first, Loud clunk, bike does a quick jerk forward about a half inch then sits and waits for me to disengage the clutch and go. Have you had any complications due to this or is it just a harley thing? I cant seem to find an answer if this is bad or not.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 855
Likes: 6
From: Riverside, Ca.
In my op. Harley trannys are robust but primitive and the 12" of linkage doesn't help. The old Limey bikes with kick starters would do the same thing if you didn't kick it thru once with the clutch pulled before you started them. I always contributed it to wet clutch characteristics.