I have a 2011 Road King Classic. Have warn 1/2 face helmut listiening to ITunes.
Now I have a scull cap. Hear everything now. Whenever I downshift or start off from neutral to 1st gear, I hear a loud clunking sound from shifting. I am due for a 10,000 mile service. Will this service help or is this loud clank normal. I've never ridden another RKC. Or, is There something wrong? I hear this loud clank even when down shifting from speed.

 

It's because you are downshifting before your transmission is ready for it. Wait longer to down shift. Any time I accidently down shift too soon and it clunks like that I get the stink eye and a lecture from my boyfriend.

 

Ok, thanks.

 

Never heard that - When you pull in the clutch and roll off the gas, you can shift - being an ex motocross racer I tend to not pull the clutch in all the way causing a clunk, but if I pull in the clutch all the way and shift, its fine. Harley's do not shift like metrics and make some noise both up and down. The noise can be lessened by correct clutch adjustment and maybe by transmission oil type but Ive not seen any difference with respect to oil type, at least the types I have tried.

 

normal

 

I use Redline Shockproof oil in the transmission and Redline Primary oil in the primary and have no clunk. In fact there is no noise when shifting into first gear.

 

Thanks, I'll visit dealer once the rain stops and ask about this.

 

it probably is the compensator in the rear wheel,,no one on here could tell me what it was but that is what it is and it is ok...I never heard that noise before I got my 2009,, the older bikes don't have it in the wheel. hope this helps more than some of the other answers I seen on here...

 

Yeah like Firewoman said.....get the bike speed just under the shift point for that gear or do most of the downshifting except for 1st as your approaching 40 and under......the clunk is the least then.....never downshift too quickly in higher speeds or you'll get a racket from the tranny......not good!

 

Try this, it's what I use.



Designed by Spectro in response to complaints from Harley owners about the great but noisy new 6-speed transmission, this full synthetic provides ultimate lubrication protection. Formulated to significantly reduce gear noise and provide easier, smoother shifting, this SAE 75w140 formulation eases shifting even when cold. High loads and extreme heat do not affect the oil, so it performs well when pushed hard and long. A.P.I. GL-5 rated