Greetings from the Rainy Pacific North West,

Finally managed to get over 200 miles on my Fatty a few days ago before the rain came back. After a hundred miles I was able to go fast enough to ride it in 5th and 6th gear. I was a little shocked how noisy 5th gear was and called my Stealer thinking something was wrong. He said it is perfectly normal for that year, and it should quite down after some more miles. He tried to explain it to me, but I was still sort of reeling from dropping the door on my bike (previous thread). Can anyone elaborate why 5th gear is so much noisier?

[IMG]local://upfiles/44115/36B3F21953114EE88F861A7FAB50556D.jpg[/IMG]

 

My dealer told me it was a feature. I did find it useful to know whenI was in 5th insted of fourth.
My has gone quiet now with the change of oil to Bel Ray.
Also the engine noise is gone with the change to Amsol.

 

Its an old story now.
The reason is because the factory in its infinite wisdom (Huh?) decided to use straight cut spur gears instead of hilical cut gears like all the rest of them. The straight teeth make a bit of noise as they slap into each other instead of sliding past like they do in the rest of them.
Don't worry about it, but a good idea is to switch over to all synthetic oils once you hit the first oil change mark.
Use any of the goodones, like Amsoil, Mobile 1, Redline, or even Harley's own Syn3 (and there are others) and it will make it run quieter and easier to shift. Switch over to synthetic for the engine and primary at the same time and you'll notice a significant drop in the engines operating temps as well.

 

Mate. Do yourself a favour and get yourself a decent exhaust system. Its not a Honda. Wont hear the normal gear noise then.

 

[quoteIts an old story now.
The reason is because the factory in its infinite wisdom (Huh?) decided to use straight cut spur gears instead of hilical cut gears like all the rest of them. The straight teeth make a bit of noise as they slap into each other instead of sliding past like they do in the rest of them.
Don't worry about it, but a good idea is to switch over to all synthetic oils once you hit the first oil change mark.
Use any of the goodones, like Amsoil, Mobile 1, Redline, or even Harley's own Syn3 (and there are others) and it will make it run quieter and easier to shift. Switch over to synthetic for the engine and primary at the same time and you'll notice a significant drop in the engines operating temps as well][/quote]

Yes I will be switching as soon as I hit my 500 mile service. Thanks for the explanation. Old to you guys, new to me.

My wallet needs to quit boiling over first, then Vance & Hines. Dammit, I thought I bought a Honda!

 

I just added the Rush slip ons and they are loud. My friends Honda was sounding like a Harley until now. [/align]I wanted to keep the stock look. As soon as the sun comes out I will take a new picture. Yes I can tell the difference the oil makes in the shifting. I can even find neutral.[/align]

 

Don't worry about it drummer, if you have a question. Try the search function, odds are its been discussed here before. But ifyou don't find anything don't hesitate to ask.
Remember the only stupid question is the one you "DON'T" ask. Cause adds are that's the one that could eitherget you hurt, cost you money, or both.

 

I'm pretty sure that Baker makes a replacement hellical kit.

Pretty simple to install if you're mechanically inclined what-so-ever. Just make sure you keep track of all the sir-clips and make sure everything goes back on, EXACTLY how it came off.

-Ryan "Rowdy."