2007 Tranny problem!
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 16
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From:
RE: 2007 Tranny problem!
ORIGINAL: pittguy
Radman thx for the reply.Sounds as if you have a great dealer/rep.My complaint was never the gear noise and I kinda think some of these other owners have gotten use to it.The clatter has been my #1 complaint and I have bitched enough to get their attention at all levels.Unfortuately they havent stopped it.If you dont own a SE bike they dont want to try bigger part changes such as trannys or motor.They want to try oil changes.I guess the next move will be put a grease fitting on tranny case and pump it full.My bike as well as a few others were called in from Hd to call the shots for dealers to try.In the end not much was done,the noise is still there.Hd shouldve gave these early owners the same bikes built later on.What they are doing is going after the most vocal and the rest will burn at the stake.I should know,I tied myself next to the other owners.
Radman thx for the reply.Sounds as if you have a great dealer/rep.My complaint was never the gear noise and I kinda think some of these other owners have gotten use to it.The clatter has been my #1 complaint and I have bitched enough to get their attention at all levels.Unfortuately they havent stopped it.If you dont own a SE bike they dont want to try bigger part changes such as trannys or motor.They want to try oil changes.I guess the next move will be put a grease fitting on tranny case and pump it full.My bike as well as a few others were called in from Hd to call the shots for dealers to try.In the end not much was done,the noise is still there.Hd shouldve gave these early owners the same bikes built later on.What they are doing is going after the most vocal and the rest will burn at the stake.I should know,I tied myself next to the other owners.
'07 Ultra Classic
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,049
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From:
RE: 2007 Tranny problem!
Depends what you mean by broke. I have the whining 5th gear noise which too me is no big deal.
I have the clatter noise which absolutely drives me nuts.
My front suspension makes a clunking sound which they still can't determine what it is since July.
My right upper fender stripping keeps coming off.
Bike was delivered with scratches in the inner fairing which was replaced.
My left wheel hub flew off the bike when I first drove it home from the dealer.
Engine temps hit thermo nuclear during the summer.
Rear cylinder wasn't firing. That I do consider broke.
Besides all of the above, for a 25K bike, everything else is fine. I'm just going to keep my eyes out for that clatter fix and customize everything else.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,303
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From:
RE: 2007 Tranny problem!
John R,there has been a couple failures,most have been due to dip sticks breaking off,the noise isnt the trans,if it was, this complaint wouldve been over long ago.Some noisey trans have been pu into quiet bikes and noise didnt follow and vice versa.The trans is only receiving a shock from comp setup,and it from engine.Some bikes are starting to get neutral light coming on when in higher gears,that isnt good,bad pickup?hopefully. Debri on sensor?Maybe. The start of something worse?lets hope not.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
RE: 2007 Tranny problem!
I'm almost giddy after making a discovery this afternoon. After reading posts that using heavier gear oil muffled the clatter and whine somewhat, I decided to try it myself. At 1000 miles I changed the fluid from Formula+ (factory install) to Royal Purple 75w90, and that quietened the clatter somewhat, but not to my satisfaction. Today I bought and installed a quart of Royal Purple 85w140 to my SG's tranny, and after a long ride in nice 75° weather where the bike got up to normal operating temperatures, I can report a dramatic difference. This is the quietest I've heard the bike in 6th gear since I bought it, and I heard no clattering in 6th at all, even when lugged down to 2k RPM.
Fifth gear whine is still there, but more subdued, and I heard no obnoxious clatter in 5th. There is still some muffled "rocks in a can" sound, but not nearly as bad as before. I even turned the radio off for a while to make sure the quiet wasn't an illusion. More time will tell for sure if this was the major improvement it appears to be, but I'm very happy with the result after one test ride.
I would think that any top-quality heavyweight gear oil would bring an improvement similar to what I've seen--Redline, M1, Amsoil, or whatever--and it is probably the viscosity more than the brand itself that made this improvement.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 19
From: Naples FL / Pine TWP PA
RE: 2007 Tranny problem!
I put Redline and a stage one kit in my bike and it shut up. I don't know why it just stopped making noise? I don't really think anything is wrong with these bikes. They could have done a better job a designing them for less noise but mechanically they seem to function fine.