always had the same problem on my 04 A model. If you time it just right it can be relatively smooth, but interestingly i find it smoother from 1st to 2nd many times by not using the clutch
What is it about second gear that it makes a crunchy shifting sound , where the rest don't. Usually from first to second. Can't put my finger on it but it seems this gear is built differently in some way, ratio's , dogs, not sure what. Bike is 2013 DX. Did this from day one and only at certain speeds coming out of first. Works fine just has that mini grind shift engagement.
Ron
I've had the same complaint about my '04 B since day one. I mentioned it at every service and always got the same answer, "there's nothing wrong, that's just how it is". Recently it started giving me trouble downshifting into first and I found that the shift lever was binding up on the footpeg shaft. Even after taking it apart and cleaning it, the plastic bushings were very tight on the shaft. I honed out the the bushings a little so the shaft would spin freely inside and lubed it up, now it shifts like I always wanted it to. No more "stumbling" or "crunching" from 1st into 2nd gear, no more more issues finding neutral from 1st or 2nd.
I've had this lever/shaft apart a couple times over the years, but I never paid much attention to how tightly it fit together. It might not be the source of your trouble, but if so, it's a quick fix. I wish I had figured this out about 75k ago...
__________________
-rAtTLeTrAp
Running without hills is like motorcycling without corners.
“Go out and preach the Gospel, and if you have to, use words.”
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Make sure not to "kick" into gears while shifting, be gentle and you'll see the "clunck" is not as hard. I've trained myself to do that on both my Softail and the V... still need to "train" my wife in doing so when she rides... will that ever be possible?
I've had the same complaint about my '04 B since day one. I mentioned it at every service and always got the same answer, "there's nothing wrong, that's just how it is". Recently it started giving me trouble downshifting into first and I found that the shift lever was binding up on the footpeg shaft. Even after taking it apart and cleaning it, the plastic bushings were very tight on the shaft. I honed out the the bushings a little so the shaft would spin freely inside and lubed it up, now it shifts like I always wanted it to. No more "stumbling" or "crunching" from 1st into 2nd gear, no more more issues finding neutral from 1st or 2nd.
I've had this lever/shaft apart a couple times over the years, but I never paid much attention to how tightly it fit together. It might not be the source of your trouble, but if so, it's a quick fix. I wish I had figured this out about 75k ago...
It's all free operating on mine. I've found under certain rpms and speeds it slips right in. The more aggressive the riding with shifts at higher rpms the more the dogs resist engaging without the mini grind thing going on. It is what it is since so many do it, I won't worry about the possibility of the dogs grinding off. They probably are but the effect might not be noticed until a bazzillion miles.
Ron
The 120 was a product from stock to 113 and then 120. The 120 came out after I did the 113 so cases were already ready for it. Bought the crank and pistons as well as some 110 heads that were sent off to the porter. It was called the HTT build on the Harley Tech Talk site. Very strong engine but the ride and the brakes on the softail sucked. V rod was a solution to have it all in one package. Got tired of throwing money at it and there were signs of the trans having issues as well with the output bearing. V rod is a way more sophisitacted ride and where it lacks pavement gouging low end torque it makes up for it is so many other ways. I don't miss the BT at all now. I made the mistake of taking a 2012 DX for a ride once and was never happy with the softail after that.
Ron
Thanks for the info, my second thoughts are fading away.
Went for a ride and don't notice any extra clunk or grinding going from first to second.
It's all free operating on mine. I've found under certain rpms and speeds it slips right in. The more aggressive the riding with shifts at higher rpms the more the dogs resist engaging without the mini grind thing going on. It is what it is since so many do it, I won't worry about the possibility of the dogs grinding off. They probably are but the effect might not be noticed until a bazzillion miles.
Ron
That might actually be somewhat "normal" for these, I've read lots of complaints about it and the "answer" is usually just amsoil. I've been running that in mine forever and don't see a difference at all. The shift lever did make a huge difference for me though, so I thought I'd throw it out there.
For what it's worth, mine was doing the same random clunky, grinding, stumble into gear thing for over 75,000 miles and still seems to be ok
__________________
-rAtTLeTrAp
Running without hills is like motorcycling without corners.
“Go out and preach the Gospel, and if you have to, use words.”
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
That might actually be somewhat "normal" for these, I've read lots of complaints about it and the "answer" is usually just amsoil. I've been running that in mine forever and don't see a difference at all. The shift lever did make a huge difference for me though, so I thought I'd throw it out there.
For what it's worth, mine was doing the same random clunky, grinding, stumble into gear thing for over 75,000 miles and still seems to be ok
Doing the amsoil change likely tomorrow. Don't expect any difference, just prefer syn in my engine, that's all.
Ron
Doing the amsoil change likely tomorrow. Don't expect any difference, just prefer syn in my engine, that's all.
Ron
I will be better or at least it has helped on every bike i have had,and they all do it to a degree.The throw threw neutral is a bitch.Flicking the clutch also helps.the v rod is actually smoother than most other cruisers.
Hello every one there.
I did open engine looking for a sight of what broke my gears output bearing and I found out it was the second gear. Well it is still making that horrible noise when doing from 1 to 2 gear. I researched quite a lot and I decided to remove the handle cover 2mm thicker than others. Clutch does not play properly with them. Already gears looking much better. CHECK THIS VIDEO FELLAS. https://youtu.be/QlOcODeUB6M
Hello every one there.
I did open engine looking for a sight of what broke my gears output bearing and I found out it was the second gear. Well it is still making that horrible noise when doing from 1 to 2 gear. I researched quite a lot and I decided to remove the handle cover 2mm thicker than others. Clutch does not play properly with them. Already gears looking much better. CHECK THIS VIDEO FELLAS. https://youtu.be/QlOcODeUB6M
If that horrible noise you speak of is like a grinding from first to second, it's somewhat normal. Try shifting to second at a lower speed and rpm or a brief pause in neutral before going into second. For racing, it will have that crunchy feel and sound slamming second gear.
Ron
Yes rpm matching really helps jblange - also as Ron says shifting at a lower Rpm is great and it works for me -18 Mph to second is smooth as silk on my R model. I'm fixing it with hardened straight cut 2nd gears - to get rid of the helical type that side load the shafts -they just came in $ 370 from Robinson Industries, and I might do a "street cut " of the entire transmission gear sets to make it even smoother. Hopefully a full Rpm shift will be possible 1st to 2nd with no clunking, grinding or resistance to shifting. No reason with some attention to detail and new straight cut 2nd gears this Revo gearbox can't be smooth as silk. NWG output bearings can be defective from new H-D stock - refer to the " Transmission Bearing " thread, it often has nothing to do with your 2nd gear action.
Black Betty
Linear Mode
