I know this is probably a stupid question, but does anybody have better way for me to shift into 1st gear after warming up my 2005 Sportster, no problem after I get going, but when leaving my driveway I roll forward a little while shifting from neutral into 1st and it sounds a little rough and metallic, I know Harley's have a definite clunk when shifting gears so i just want to check with you all to see if this a normal sound. I've got 400 miles on my bike now so she's still breaking in, my dealer quoted me $219 for the 1000 mile maintenance with synthetic oil which is from what I hear to help the shifting smoother, do you thing this will be the case?? I'm still getting accustomed to my new bike so I guess I'm a little bit paranoid about the sounds going from a Thumper to a V-Twin this bike sounds much more like a machine with all the metallic noises compared to my last bike a 650 Suzuki Savage cruiser. I still can't believe my wife bought me a Harley!!! Thanks.

 

Hey P.I. you have a great wife. Mine bought me one too, so I know how you feel.

If your tranny is crunching bring it in for a clutch adjustment or do it yourself. It's easy to do. The bike will break in soon, and I know that you will hear every thing on a new ride, but don't be shy with the dealer on unexpected noises.

 

Howdy, sounds like you have a very nice wife. I've only been back into the saddle for about 4 weeks so I am not sure about the shifting thing that you have. I bought a Springer and when I shift into first or any other gear, I can hear that clunking sound also. Since I am new to Harleys, I talk to my HD mechanic every so often. There's nothing wrong with being a little paranoid about something new. Have you thought of talking to the HD mechanic near you? Did you get a manual with your bike, it might have some answers for you? Hope this helps a little. My first bike was a Suzuki 1000, and you are right, there is a difference in the sound between the two.

 

The clunk is normal for the bike. Our local dealer's newsletter this past month had an article that said if you hold the clutch in for about 10 seconds before shifting it won't clunk quite so hard. They said it gave the oil a chance to warm up a little. I haven't found it to help all that much. Synthetic oil might help a little but I don't think you'll notice much difference. When you shift into first, just make sure you've held the clutch in for a bit and that the engine is idling, not revving.

 

Sometimes when I shift from 2nd to first, and I don't push hard on the shifter, I get a "zing", and it goes into neutral... is that normal?

Cheers!
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I don't know if it is normal, but I have done it, mostly when I am almost stopped.

 

No zing is normal. I usually don't go to first when riding, and hit neutral before I kick it down. Never straight from 2nd to first, unless I am riding very slow.

 

I don't remember reading it with my current bike, but my first Harley had a comment either on the video or the owners manual that said to shift hard. Obviously, you don't stomp on the shifter, but shift with authority. After all, you're a big burly biker dude from the Great White North.

 

Check your clutch adjustment and also the level of the primary fluid ( oil) If it is too high it will make a lot of noise shifting and be hard to find neutral

 

Hehehe, yeah, it only happens if I don;t shift with the normal amount of force that I use.

Cheers!
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