While I don't have the transmission noise, I do have the issue with finding neutral but only after a long ride. I have a theory that it's caused by the transmission being overly heated by the cat.

 

My transmission is just the opposite, the only time I have any difficulty finding neutral is when the trans is cold; seems like the warmer it gets, the easier it is to locate neutral. Of all of the Harleys I have owned, my TG is the easiest to locate neutral. I would never attempt to put it in neutral at a stop light on my other bikes, because it would take the entire light to find neutral, with the TG I always dump it into neutral at a light and my left hand likes it.

 

I would start filing the Lemon Law as of right now if your state has it for motorcycles.

 

Spoke to customer service at the MOCO today, service rep relayed the information from the report submitted by the are rep. Basically the trike was only driven for approximately 6 miles and thus nothing unusual was found on the trike according to the rep. The service personnel at the dealer did not offer any of the specific information to the area rep that I had stated previously on how and when the trike would start or have the trans noise. Simply when the trike has been driven for awhile and the dreaded heat issue arises and the trans noise is on board after the trike is hot. The rep at the MOCO advised me to take the trike back to the dealer, it's still there, ride it, let it get hot, and point out once again the trans noise and also now the shifting to first gear difficulties. MOCO Rep stated that nothing could be done at this point due to the area reps report and I would have to point out once again the noise with the service manager noting the noise, to counter the report from the area rep. Going down the proverbial rabbit hole. At this point I am seriously considering just trading the trike in and getting a street glide or a road glide, Triumph has a nice new bike called a Thunderbird. At least the MOCO rep didn't tell me that I was s.o.l but then again I have to jump back on hd's merry go round o' hell. Definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results..... Texas does have a lemon law, however I do not know if I have the will or desire to go down that route, the wife on the other hand wants to file.

 

Roger, if the regional rep is going to do another inspection of your bike, demand in writing that they set up an appointment convient for you NOT them and also demand in writing that you be present for this inspection. Type up a short list of the problems and symptoms such as transmission noice going away when clutch is ingaged and present it to the regional rep. Demand that your written list of complaints be included in his written report. Ask for the name and contact information of the person that he is going to summit his report to.

I understand your frusrtion but I don’t think that letting Harley of the hook is the answer nor is going to another brand going to guarentee that you won’t have the same or worce customer service problems! I think that your wife is correct and you should at least threaten to file a Lemon Law Compaint.

Nothing ventured is nothing gained!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11


www.lemonjustice.com/lemon-law/TX_motorcycle_law.php

 

I just hate it when you have to battle the MOCO to make the necessary repairs under warranty.

 

Before HD "invented" their own 6-speed, our choices were the aftermarket units. I ride an early model with a JIMS 6-speed. The JIMS is basically a Baker and it has Baker stamped right on the tranny cover, but I think Baker and JIMS has parted company since then. These early JIMS had some reported issues with main bearings and trap-door alignment. Problems usually resulted in arguments back-n-forth between the dealer and JIMS and some people simply took the JIMS out and went back to stock. From the day mine was installed....it sounded like the same noise you get from a motel ice dispenser when you fill your bucket in especially 3rd. and 5th. gear. I called JIMS and they said...it's under warranty...run it. I switched to a 75W140 synthetic and reduced the noise to some degree. That was 30,000 miles ago and it's still going strong. I still have a little noise in some gears at certain speeds, but the thing has failed to fly apart so far.

I think my intentions here are to convey the idea that the noise need not cause severe alarm and I don't think it's going to fail. I certainly do feel your pain and appreciate your point concering all the money you paid for your Trike...and now have this noise.

Just make sure you have the extended warranty and run the sucker and see if you can break it within the warranty coverage. If you have not busted it by then...it will likely run forever.

Besides...my little tranny-noise blocks out some of my top-end noise!

 

I guess I will ride the trike for awhile and then take the trike back in at a later date. I have this thing called a life, so the trans can wait. I let what 1150vt sink in a bit and he has a point. The noise is noticeable when the trike is hot and today it did not affect the shifting, however as I stated previously I will take the trike back in and I will keep everyone posted of the results good and or bad.

 

Roger
Just to let you and everyone else know, I have a '10 Road King Classic. AND, I have the rattle noise, too. There was no noise when I first started riding it (10 miles on the odometer). As the miles increased, I started hearing the rattle. Like you, when the bike is cold, no rattle. As she warms up, it gets louder. I brought it to my dealer and was told it was normal, at 1,000 miles. I brought it in again at around 2,400 miles. One of the techs took it for a ride and heard it. He tightened the heat shields and took it out again. He still heard it and suggested a make an appointment to have it looked at but that I could still ride "with no problems". I'm now at 2,800 miles and she's going in next week to be checked out.
I will be calling HD to complain and get that ball rolling. I figure, the more documentation, the better. Bottom line, looks like there are quite a few of us in this boat. If it really is "normal" (and I really don't believe it is), then fine. HD just better tell me that I won't get stuck in the middle of nowhere or worse. My Rumble Road speaker at least drown out the noise.
I'll post again after the dealer checks my girl out.

 

As stated earlier, mine has the same noise. IF this is normal like so many dealers are telling us, then why can't any of these mechanics at least tell us what is making the rattle (only when hot with clutch out)?