Down shifting clunk
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
From: Cabot, AR
Imagine you were able to rip your kitchen sink from the counter, faucet and all, and you were then to drop it on the kitchen floor. Ya, that's what a normal downshift sounds like on a HD when you're not wearing a helmet! That includes the shift into first gear.
It's normal. Press on and enjoy the ride!!
It's normal. Press on and enjoy the ride!!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,784
Likes: 57
From: In The Corn, Illinois
Imagine you were able to rip your kitchen sink from the counter, faucet and all, and you were then to drop it on the kitchen floor. Ya, that's what a normal downshift sounds like on a HD when you're not wearing a helmet! That includes the shift into first gear.
It's normal. Press on and enjoy the ride!!
It's normal. Press on and enjoy the ride!!
Your bike really sounds that bad when you downshift? That is not normal. Better get that checked out. My Dyna just makes a little "click" noise, my Sportster makes the same "click" sound and my boyfriends Road Glide also makes the same little "click" The only time it is loud is when going from neutral to first and even that is just sometimes.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
If you downshift into first (with the clutch in) at a speed greater than first gear would normally be used for (during normal riding), you're gonna get a loud clunk. First gear in all motorcycles is a straight cut gear (also the same reason it whines in first). Straight cut gears are noisier than helical cut gears because the teeth are straight across and the edges of the gear are not beveled. Downshifting into first should be your last downshift just prior to stopping except in Emergency Braking sequences where downshifting and braking simultaneously are required. (in case you need to be able to accelerate right after maximum braking because the car behind you wasn't able to stop)
Stomping the shifter back down into first and getting that loud clunk (even with the clutch in) will eventually hurt the gear set. Hurting the gear set hurts the wallet; hence the stink eye
Stomping the shifter back down into first and getting that loud clunk (even with the clutch in) will eventually hurt the gear set. Hurting the gear set hurts the wallet; hence the stink eye
Road Captain
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 603
Likes: 8
From: Ct
I have full Redline oil's and I have the clunk, only sometimes it shifts smoothly.
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