@@Jonathan-L this is the first Harley I've owned so I'm really glad to read you guys's comments of the gear slapping and the hard to find neutral because I thought it was just my bike now if it's just a Harley thing I'm totally cool with that 😂
Starting the bike in first gear puts unneccessary stress on the starter, especially when the bike is cold! Its up to you, replacing the early worn out starter!
I don’t see how starting in first gear would effect the starter. The clutch disengages the transmission so there is no stress on the starter. Unless your clutch is not fully disengaged.
@@craigpate4140In mechanical theory yes, but that’s not the case all the time. Cold primary oil, cold clutch and very little rpm from the starter the clutch still drags. That’s why these bikes (if the clutch is healthy and adjusted properly) they shift better and find neutral better when warm. Thats also why blipping the throttle helps is because it helps separate the clutch pack and slings oil away from the clutch to reduce drag. There is stress on the starter in gear. Will it fry the starter much sooner?🤷♂️ probably not noticeably, but it’s unnecessary and pointless wear and tear in my opinion.
I fixed my 2006 softail deluxe by decreasing the primary oil level to the absolute minimum required, my bike calls for 24 to 26 ounces I let it drain over night with the clutch lever pulled in so all the oil between the plates will drain, then refilled it to 24 ounces, the oil in the primary is there just to lube the chain, do not use any oil that adds friction, just a little bit of oil will cause the clutch to drag, I can't even tell it goes into first gear sometimes and shift excellent
I expect that clunk to sound every time I stomp that shift lever. I have a no H-D motorcycle that lacks it and I feel awkward not hearing it, feeling unsure if I'm ready to roll.
I have a newish Triumph Bonneville and I have this issue where when you first put it into 1st gear from neutral first time in the day(cold), I get an angry grind and clack. I found that if I put it into 2nd gear first and then down to first it seems to like it a lot more, no grind anyway. Motorcycle oil is sticky, when it's cold (ambient temps) it holds the clutch plates together a little until it warms up. As soon as I've been through the gears once, it doesn't do it any more. Worth a try.
100% mate. The blip works the same on a big bully, just tried it. Good ideas from over the ditch. Simple things are always the best. Had this with a few other bikes over the years as well but just accepted it. 👍
My buddy puts his pig in gear and it sounds like a small car crash,we talking about a 2013 Road King! My 93 Dyna you don't ever hear it go into gear😊Maranatha, Greetings from Tampa Florida 😎
I find with my '19 Fatboy that if I hold the clutch in for about a seven count and then shift into first, the clunk is eliminated. No need to rev it or roll it back and forth etc.
My bike is having some trouble in cold start with this clunck. when started in first gear, it will hit hard and pulls a bit forward. It won’t move, just a little push forward. And if i start it on neutral, when i hit first gear, it won’t go in like if im not pulling the clutch lever. But it rides perfectly fine when im riding and the bike is warm.
Your primary oil should never be higher than the clutch basket with the bike level big twin Harley's were not designed to have the clutches submerged in oil that way then the clutches won't stick reducing the clunk . Been working on Harley's for 40 years.
I have a question. I have a 2020 softtail M8 107 with a stage 2. At idle in gear it runs a little rough but not enough to stall. Is this because of the cam profile or do you think I have a clutch switch going bad? This is my first Harley btw😅
I changed my primary to Amsoil Primary gear oil and I noticed after going up and down through the gears that it started shifting much smoother without the clunk also neutral is much easier to find which was a problem before but the Amsoil changed all that. I am running Amsoil in all 3 holes and I’m using their targeted tranny oil, Primary and 20/50 motor oil land im very pleased. Yes, it will cost more but the results are well worth it because they are very noticeable. My 2012 Fatboy performs better. Be Safe!
Also a weak compensator on the crankshaft in which the primary chain transfers the energy produced by the engine to the trans will cause the problem... Harley is known to have this issue causing the clunking noise aswell as a clanking when starting as the sprocket and compression spring to the compensator gets weaker.. synthetic oil does help but inevitably a better sprocket should be installed.
My Roadglide acts the same. Cold start, it slips into gear quietly and no lurch. Once warm it usually clunks on start. The throttle blip usually helps, the clutch-in delay, not so much. In-gear start just intuitively a bad idea. Changed to Amsoil and it initially was promising but gains seem to have subsided. @@iancatlin5985
Pull clutch in then gently tap the shifter without putting it in gear. This is pre loading I think they call it. If I do it right she barely makes any noise when I then go into first.
Harley has them as well. I have a Harley swing arm bag for my Low Rider. They are rare as Hen's teeth. Expensive if one can find one to purchase. Worth every penny.
Greeting from Malaysia! I’m riding a Breakout 114 (M8) with 16k mileage on it. Recently I noticed whenever I accelerate, I hear a clunking/rattling sound from the primary cover. What could be the cause of it? It’s pretty annoying. The harder I accelerate, the louder the rattling. 😅
Is this a issue only when going from neutral to first ? Reason i ask is , i work by the intersection of two highways . When a bike is approaching you can always tell if its a Harley by the " clunk-clunk " when they down shift If its a group you can tell how many by the number of clunks you hear I always thought that for the cost of a new harley they should be able to make them so they shift better
First off nice bike, secondly oh why sir did you open up this can?? Queue 1000 comments from us HD riders that love the clunk, why it’s good, and on and on… I wish our world in 2023 could be reduced to just these concerns 🤣
For customers that had a problem with hearing the 'clunk', we'd just replace the thin synthetic oil, back to GL5, and it would go away, personally I don't have a problem hearing it.
Use a good gear oil for the tranny, not motor oil as Harley wants you to use. Then I pull the clutch in and out a few time prior to putting in gear. The "clunk" is very minimal.
Formula plus and a proper chutch adjustment, proper fluid amount, (most overfill by a lot) clutch plate far too wet and stick together. Do shit properly by the OZ and not just dumping fluid in then no bang. Do NOT start the bike in 1st gear.
could cut the dogs , i'm guessing most don't race their bikes an don't want to pull the tranny apart though . normal person should probably warm it up then ride really , starting in gear is not a good idea imo
WHY? Why do I want to fix my "clunk!" I want it to sound OFF! I want it to make people be like, "WTH!" "Get in the car honey!" "Hurry!" "We don't know what he might be going to do next!" Leave my "lope" and my "clunk" ALONE🤣! Gzzz, girlie guys am I right🥳?
I didn’t watch the video. Just wanted to comment. Why the HELL would you want to eliminate the clunk? It’s part of riding a Harley. Don’t like the clunk? Go buy a rice burner.
Couple of things... 1) Starting a motorcycle in gear is *no bueno*. Just start it in neutral and let it warm up without having to hold the clutch in. This is especially applicable if you've just backed the bike out of your garage and onto your driveway, and you're going to have to back up/turn around before riding off. 2) I did not hear a word you said while that airplane was flying over. I notice that you have quite a lot of videos published. You must know that there is this magical thing called editing, whereby you can simply pause your narrative, wait until the ambient noise has stopped, and then continue speaking. Then you go back (in "post-production" or whatever they call it) and edit the noisy bit out. 3) If gearbox banging bothers you, you probably shouldn't own a Harley. It's what they do.
Funny, I had no problem hearing him speaking when airplane went over. People always find something to complain about these days. And your snarky "magical" comment was not necessary.
@@monkeyman41333 - Oh, I see, since 'you' didn't have a problem hearing him, then nobody else would either, right? But we don't all listen through the same device(s) as you. So just shut up, okay? Look, I don't make videos for a living. This creator does. And with so many videos on his channel, you'd think he'd be knowledgeable about audio and editing, etc. Here's my point: There are literally a gazillion RUclips channels all vying for our attention. EVERY content creator implores us to "Smash the Like button and subscribe!" But honestly, I'm not compelled to return to a channel that suggests something dumb like starting your bike when it's in gear, AND talks while an airplane is flying overhead which makes it really, really difficult to hear and understand him (for some). I mean, really? I'm glad that you were able to completely understand everything that was said in the video. Hurray for you! Me? I probably won't return to this channel. Because, yeah, when the "content" in a video is sub-par, then that's a valid complaint.
Orlando ,have been working on Harley Davidson's for 60 years until 1999 when the twin cam can out I will agree with you ,twin cam engine ,M8 engine is nothing but a disposable engine ,pressed together flywheel Assembly's . I did panheads first oil service in the early 1960's
Авто/Мото
That bang as you call it does absolutely no harm
That clunk is the best part of riding a Harley
🤣
Nah, it's finding neutral much more interesting :)
@@Jonathan-L this is the first Harley I've owned so I'm really glad to read you guys's comments of the gear slapping and the hard to find neutral because I thought it was just my bike now if it's just a Harley thing I'm totally cool with that 😂
I love the clunk going into first gear , then you know it’s ready to roll
I like my clunk. Been hearin it for the last 45 yrs.😘
Starting the bike in first gear puts unneccessary stress on the starter, especially when the bike is cold! Its up to you, replacing the early worn out starter!
Great point Valja ...luckily never had an issue with my starter in any of my Harleys...touch wood :)
If the clutch is adjusted correctly, it should completely disengage. I haven't had any issue with my starter,,,,,,, yet.
I don’t see how starting in first gear would effect the starter. The clutch disengages the transmission so there is no stress on the starter. Unless your clutch is not fully disengaged.
@@craigpate4140 There is still some friction between the clutch plates when the clutch is fully engaged. That adds load to the starter.
@@craigpate4140In mechanical theory yes, but that’s not the case all the time. Cold primary oil, cold clutch and very little rpm from the starter the clutch still drags. That’s why these bikes (if the clutch is healthy and adjusted properly) they shift better and find neutral better when warm. Thats also why blipping the throttle helps is because it helps separate the clutch pack and slings oil away from the clutch to reduce drag. There is stress on the starter in gear. Will it fry the starter much sooner?🤷♂️ probably not noticeably, but it’s unnecessary and pointless wear and tear in my opinion.
Redline with Shockproof. Shifts like a dream
God damn the neighborhood just decided to throw all the noices out there possible lmao
Wow even though I have lots of self proclaimed knowledge I learned so much in three minutes thanks bro!
Although a lot of us live for the bang 😂,,those are solid tips I'll be trying out .NICE RIDE 💯👌🤙
I fixed my 2006 softail deluxe by decreasing the primary oil level to the absolute minimum required, my bike calls for 24 to 26 ounces I let it drain over night with the clutch lever pulled in so all the oil between the plates will drain, then refilled it to 24 ounces, the oil in the primary is there just to lube the chain, do not use any oil that adds friction, just a little bit of oil will cause the clutch to drag, I can't even tell it goes into first gear sometimes and shift excellent
Hi Arthur, thanks for your valuable comments and thanks for tuning in :)
I came to the same conclusion after a few years of doing everything else! Thanks
Had my Sportster 10 years and been starting it in gear.
I'll try the other method.
I expect that clunk to sound every time I stomp that shift lever. I have a no H-D motorcycle that lacks it and I feel awkward not hearing it, feeling unsure if I'm ready to roll.
There's something to be said for a good clunk ! Cheers Omar
My Suzuki 1400 Intruder had a clunky gearbox too.
I have a newish Triumph Bonneville and I have this issue where when you first put it into 1st gear from neutral first time in the day(cold), I get an angry grind and clack. I found that if I put it into 2nd gear first and then down to first it seems to like it a lot more, no grind anyway. Motorcycle oil is sticky, when it's cold (ambient temps) it holds the clutch plates together a little until it warms up. As soon as I've been through the gears once, it doesn't do it any more. Worth a try.
My 03' dyna FXDX didn't bang into gear until I upgraded with "Self-adjuster cam chain tensioner!
To reduce clunk on not enough warm engine, i press clutch and little bit throttling, few times. After turn on gear.
Thanks very good. Wish you a nice day in Aussie. Take care.
Greetings Peder in Sweden.
Thank you! Cheers!
Good! Thanks for the Tip!
No problem. Thanks for watching
Great advice!👍🏻
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks partner I’ll try it in the morning
Cool man. Thanks!
100% mate. The blip works the same on a big bully, just tried it. Good ideas from over the ditch. Simple things are always the best. Had this with a few other bikes over the years as well but just accepted it. 👍
Thanks for watching…
My buddy puts his pig in gear and it sounds like a small car crash,we talking about a 2013 Road King! My 93 Dyna you don't ever hear it go into gear😊Maranatha, Greetings from Tampa Florida 😎
Car crash 🤣
I like it. Now, can you tell me how to get into neutral without going back and forth between first and second?
Mine has been clunking for years, and it's still clunking away. No problems.
I find with my '19 Fatboy that if I hold the clutch in for about a seven count and then shift into first, the clunk is eliminated. No need to rev it or roll it back and forth etc.
I tried this on my 2013 v-twin and it helped a lot.
My bike is having some trouble in cold start with this clunck. when started in first gear, it will hit hard and pulls a bit forward. It won’t move, just a little push forward. And if i start it on neutral, when i hit first gear, it won’t go in like if im not pulling the clutch lever. But it rides perfectly fine when im riding and the bike is warm.
Thanks for the video. I hate that noise also. At first I thought something was wrong or it had the wrong oil. Will be using your tips.
Thanks for saying hello Ceasar369
Your primary oil should never be higher than the clutch basket with the bike level big twin Harley's were not designed to have the clutches submerged in oil that way then the clutches won't stick reducing the clunk . Been working on Harley's for 40 years.
I have a question. I have a 2020 softtail M8 107 with a stage 2. At idle in gear it runs a little rough but not enough to stall. Is this because of the cam profile or do you think I have a clutch switch going bad? This is my first Harley btw😅
Loud pipes saves lives, but putting a H-D into first gear will wake the dead :)
😂
I changed my primary to Amsoil Primary gear oil and I noticed after going up and down through the gears that it started shifting much smoother without the clunk also neutral is much easier to find which was a problem before but the Amsoil changed all that. I am running Amsoil in all 3 holes and I’m using their targeted tranny oil, Primary and 20/50 motor oil land im very pleased. Yes, it will cost more but the results are well worth it because they are very noticeable. My 2012 Fatboy performs better. Be Safe!
Did you actually read the back label? NOT FOR WET CLUTCHES. You have a dry clutch? It eventually ruins your clutch.
I only run atf in the primary , gear oil makes your clutch slip .
nice one thanks !!
No problem 👍
Thx for the advice. Your bike sounds great btw. What exhaust are those? Thx again.
Hi there ...have a set of Freedom radical two into two. Thanks for watching.
Very good to know. Thsnks for the video
Thanks for watching
It's a harley mate that's how they run , love it or leave it 😂😂😂
Also a weak compensator on the crankshaft in which the primary chain transfers the energy produced by the engine to the trans will cause the problem... Harley is known to have this issue causing the clunking noise aswell as a clanking when starting as the sprocket and compression spring to the compensator gets weaker.. synthetic oil does help but inevitably a better sprocket should be installed.
Good info thanks..
None of this are issues. It's harley noises. It's breathing, shifting, doing the harley thing. Would you change your son's voice cause it was loud?
To a newbie.. BMW R transmissions are like old agricultural machinery.
Once you get it the clutch is rarely necessary.
Nice exhaust ,that thing sounds like a jet. 😂
😄
Thanks a lot 👍👌 greats Holland
Glad you liked it!
Is one of the most beautiful things that a HD has! Crazy
there is nothing to fix ,don't mess with something you don't understand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I too like the Harley clunk. Its reasuring and lets the rider know it has entetred a gear.
Without the clunk,I would think something’s wrong with my bike
funny enough, when cold, my road king goes in gear without any clunk at all, it only clunks when warmed up...
That is odd ….
@@kiwigrandtours I know, right? Clearly my clutch isn't binding and perhaps the thicker oil when cold cushions the gear engagement...
My Roadglide acts the same. Cold start, it slips into gear quietly and no lurch. Once warm it usually clunks on start. The throttle blip usually helps, the clutch-in delay, not so much. In-gear start just intuitively a bad idea. Changed to Amsoil and it initially was promising but gains seem to have subsided. @@iancatlin5985
Why eliminate that though?
Pull clutch in then gently tap the shifter without putting it in gear. This is pre loading I think they call it. If I do it right she barely makes any noise when I then go into first.
Haha.
For me the clunk is positive. Affirmation that you shifted and it didn't pop back into the previous gear or neutral.
I won't to know how you found neutral so easy ? I can't find it in my damn bike if my life depended it .
The clunk means it's in gear. What's the problem?
Great info!! Who makes your swing arm bag?
Johnny Reb in Melbourne…..great company to deal with as well .
Harley has them as well. I have a Harley swing arm bag for my Low Rider. They are rare as Hen's teeth. Expensive if one can find one to purchase. Worth every penny.
Harley forever
I happen to love that clunk..
your bike sounds nice
Thank you, they are freedom pipes and sound awesome !
I LIKE THE CLUNK 🇺🇸
My 2023 Road Glide Limited has no clunk. I installed the Man O War compensator and use Amsoil 75W140 in my transmission.
Dont stab at it for a start.
It's a Harley thing. I love it.
The funny thing is that copy-cat bikes like the Kawasaki Voyager engineer that into their design.
i like the clunk
Cool ✌🙂
Cheers Claus
With this exhaust noise don´t worry about the clunk...
I start mine in 4th or fifth gear. a lot less strain on the starter.
Novel !
And... If you start it in Neutral, there is no strain on the starter.
Greeting from Malaysia!
I’m riding a Breakout 114 (M8) with 16k mileage on it.
Recently I noticed whenever I accelerate, I hear a clunking/rattling sound from the primary cover.
What could be the cause of it? It’s pretty annoying.
The harder I accelerate, the louder the rattling. 😅
Best take that to a dealer…
It's about to grenade.
It could be your compensator sprocket. Get a good mechanic to look at it.
@@243wayne1 yes it was! waiting for parts now. Thks!
So hearing clunk when going to first doesn’t really indicate something is going wrong with the bike ? I usually start in neutral is that bad ?
The manual says start in neutral 👍
When an airplane flies over it’s time to stop filming and start over when it’s quiet.
I know pain in ass…..
Is this a issue only when going from neutral to first ?
Reason i ask is , i work by the intersection of two highways . When a bike is approaching you can always tell if its a Harley by the " clunk-clunk " when they down shift
If its a group you can tell how many by the number of clunks you hear
I always thought that for the cost of a new harley they should be able to make them so they shift better
First off nice bike, secondly oh why sir did you open up this can??
Queue 1000 comments from us HD riders that love the clunk, why it’s good, and on and on…
I wish our world in 2023 could be reduced to just these concerns 🤣
Hi I love the clunk too 😀…and wish you were right…
For customers that had a problem with hearing the 'clunk', we'd just replace the thin synthetic oil, back to GL5, and it would go away, personally I don't have a problem hearing it.
Use ATF in the primary, solves alot of problems
That is what I do with my dry clutch I soak the disk and tranny fluid for a night before I put it helps shifting
Clunk forever
damn son i never knew xD
You put security on a street bob? Doesn't look like a rough neighborhood.
Use a good gear oil for the tranny, not motor oil as Harley wants you to use. Then I pull the clutch in and out a few time prior to putting in gear. The "clunk" is very minimal.
Formula plus and a proper chutch adjustment, proper fluid amount, (most overfill by a lot) clutch plate far too wet and stick together. Do shit properly by the OZ and not just dumping fluid in then no bang. Do NOT start the bike in 1st gear.
Thanks for the tips SH
Probably that’s the main reason Harley guys want you for their bike before you test dive it.
Ride with a shot gun and fire it each time you shift... you won't notice the clunk.
Try using gear oil in the transmission. And not motor oil.
Hi Arnold, thanks for watching :)
could cut the dogs , i'm guessing most don't race their bikes an don't want to pull the tranny apart though . normal person should probably warm it up then ride really , starting in gear is not a good idea imo
The clunk tells you that she is ready to go and get ready for a major repair. LOL
🤣
If the Harley clunk bothers you that much, get a Honda instead. Harley just isn't for you. 🤣
why is the "clunk" terrible? At least you know you're shifting gears
Maybe you should ride a honda😂😂
What fun would that be?
Never start your bike in gear!
😂
can't here you!!!!!
WHY? Why do I want to fix my "clunk!" I want it to sound OFF! I want it to make people be like, "WTH!" "Get in the car honey!" "Hurry!" "We don't know what he might be going to do next!" Leave my "lope" and my "clunk" ALONE🤣! Gzzz, girlie guys am I right🥳?
Tighten your clutch cable that fixes it almost always
Thanks for the tip
best way to fix the harley clunk is to buy a honda
I didn’t watch the video. Just wanted to comment. Why the HELL would you want to eliminate the clunk? It’s part of riding a Harley. Don’t like the clunk? Go buy a rice burner.
Couple of things... 1) Starting a motorcycle in gear is *no bueno*. Just start it in neutral and let it warm up without having to hold the clutch in. This is especially applicable if you've just backed the bike out of your garage and onto your driveway, and you're going to have to back up/turn around before riding off. 2) I did not hear a word you said while that airplane was flying over. I notice that you have quite a lot of videos published. You must know that there is this magical thing called editing, whereby you can simply pause your narrative, wait until the ambient noise has stopped, and then continue speaking. Then you go back (in "post-production" or whatever they call it) and edit the noisy bit out. 3) If gearbox banging bothers you, you probably shouldn't own a Harley. It's what they do.
Funny, I had no problem hearing him speaking when airplane went over. People always find something to complain about these days. And your snarky "magical" comment was not necessary.
@@monkeyman41333 - Oh, I see, since 'you' didn't have a problem hearing him, then nobody else would either, right? But we don't all listen through the same device(s) as you. So just shut up, okay?
Look, I don't make videos for a living. This creator does. And with so many videos on his channel, you'd think he'd be knowledgeable about audio and editing, etc. Here's my point: There are literally a gazillion RUclips channels all vying for our attention. EVERY content creator implores us to "Smash the Like button and subscribe!" But honestly, I'm not compelled to return to a channel that suggests something dumb like starting your bike when it's in gear, AND talks while an airplane is flying overhead which makes it really, really difficult to hear and understand him (for some). I mean, really?
I'm glad that you were able to completely understand everything that was said in the video. Hurray for you! Me? I probably won't return to this channel. Because, yeah, when the "content" in a video is sub-par, then that's a valid complaint.
Can't phk'n hear you.
Seems like really bad advice💯✔️
All motorcycles have “dog” gears lol
True. Thank you
Three ways ,don't buy a Harley
Have you ever seen a Harley in a junk pile. They are built to last.
Orlando ,have been working on Harley Davidson's for 60 years until 1999 when the twin cam can out I will agree with you ,twin cam engine ,M8 engine is nothing but a disposable engine ,pressed together flywheel Assembly's . I did panheads first oil service in the early 1960's
So true Orlando , thanks for your input :)
Rock on Jimmy !! Thanks for taking the time to post your comment :)
Sell it. Buy something else
Easy fix..
Every other motorcycle figured it out 50 years ago. I would buy one of those..
I know how to fix clunk,get rid of Harley and get a real bike!!!
there is a better way,sell the harley and buy a good bike,harleys are crap
Trying to make a problem out of nothing hell, my old iron head would be halfway down the street before the clutch would break loose
My bike doesn’t start if it’s in gear.