How about those '07 Road Kings. I love my new bike but come on whats with the noises? I've read every post. Of course after I purchased my new bike. First the fifth gear whine I can live with. Second the tin can rattle from what I perceive to be coming from the engine that actually almost disappears when you hit the right rpmsI do not understand. Now when everything is good and hotwith the bike sitting in nuetral the bike is rattling like crazy. I have told the dealer they, afterI paid the extra to change every thing to syn3 at my 1000 mi service theyhave changed the tranny fluid back to Formula+. The noise is now ridiulous. When I pull in the clutch the noise is reduced quite a bit. The dealer has said the sound is from the tranny. OK now what do I do? Do I try a gear lube in the tranny or should I say demand the dealer try a gaer lube at their expense. Or drop it off and tell them to call me when its fixed? WTF!!!

 

The noise you are describing has plagued several owners,yet none of which has this while bike is stationary.Most have while in 5th or 6th gear or both.Have your dealer look into yours or find another dealer.May be only a slack chain or tensioner not ramping up.Good luck

 

What is the build date of your bike. When did you buy it? Is this your first Harley?

 

Yes first Harley. I bought it on Christmas eve! Imagine that!

 

Can you advise when it was built?
Have you checked to see ifthe 0903 service bulletin is applicable to your specic VIN.

 

nobody with their first brand new Harley wants to hear this but.............................

it's under warranty ( a really great warranty at that). take it out and run the **** out of it for 10 or 20 K, if it's gonna break it will, otherwise it's a Harley. not meaning to soundlike a smart ***, but sometimes it takes your being totally broke down, and strandedon the side of the road before you can convince the stealer's mechanics soemthing is really wrong.

 

The "rocks in a can" clatter you describe originates from the compensator and HD is aware of the problem. I spoke with an HD drivetrain specialist on two occasions, and he said the noise occurs in the FLH series only, has been reproduced in their fleet, and is a harmonic that will not cause any functional problems. Mine rattles only when hot at RPM's lower than about 2200 in 5th and 6th gear, but seems to have subsided somewhat after I change the primary oil to Castrol GTX 20w50, which is thicker than the Formula+ that comes from the factory. This switch was approved (the viscosity, not the brand) by this HD tech for this climate (Louisiana), although he said it was higher visocity than was normally recommended. I forgot to ask him why HD recommended their Syn3 in the primary, which is also a 20w50.

Some have said Redline MTL, a light hypoid gear oil, eliminates the clatter--but I'm reluctant to use a gear oil with clutch disks, and MTL is not available in my area. I have become accustomed to keeping RPM's at 2200 or higher in these two gears, which eliminates the noise for the most part. When the weather gets hotter it may get worse, but I'll keep and eye (ear, actually) on it. My dealer owner is interested and says he will call some of his key contacts at HD and get more info on this problem. I'll report back if I hear anything worth passing on. As you've said, the 5th-gear whine is not an issue with me at all, and I barely hear it at all since changing to Royal Purple 75w90 gear oil.

In the meantime, enjoy that new bike as much as I've loved every opportunity to ride my new SG. With so many virtues, this one vice seems almost trivial.

 

Amsoil 20W50 motorcyclehas higher viscosities than most 90W gear lubes at a higher temp, protects to almost 500 degrees, flows at -65 degrees F and can be used in all three holes. Bike runs smoother, coolerand is quieter!

Why screw around with anything else, especially aumotive oils in your bike?

 

I run nothing but Amsoil 20W50 in mine... no problems.
two things to point out...
If you can hear the 5th gear clatter......then #1 you're lugging the engine; #2 your pipes are too quiet.

 

I have 07 Road King Classic.....5th gear sounded a little different at first. At 2k, put on my Rinehart True Duals, Big Sucker and SERT. Dyno tuned and it runs amazing. I dont hear a thing anymore! =) Love my Rineharts!!!
I have no complaints and would recomend this bike/configuration to anyone!
Good luck!

Rossman