Hi, i just got a 2007 Xl883l about 2 weeks ago. Im new to harleys and im having a downshifting issue. When i downshift into 1st gear there is clatter happening. Im downshifting around 20 mph to corner. Am i doing something wrong. Thanks

 

You should hear one clunk (nature of the beast) that makes you positive that it went into gear. My 1200c manual says 1st should be around 12mph although I will downshift at 18 or 19. More than one clunk (clattering) might require investigation.

 

As the transmission is bypassing Neutral when you shift from 2nd to 1st, you will experience a bigger "clunk". If you just flick down on the shifter it may not fully catch into gear and clatter a bit while it seats, but if it's happening all the time you might wanna investigate further.

 

The clunk is normal, but downshifting into 1st at 20mph is a bit too fast for normal street driving IMO.

 

I'm assuming you are rev-matching, right?

 

You really don't need to shift to first at 20 MPH, in fact it is not a good idea to do so. These bikes have a lot of torque.

 

slower on the speed into first gear. try 12 MPH.
I always give the throttle a hit before releasing slowly.
the clatter should not be happening. keep an ear on that.

 

thanks for all the replies. Yes i do hear the clunk when it shifts into gear, then it clatters as i engine brake. I will try shifting first at lower speeds and see what happens.

 

Again the clunking is completely normal, especially if you're shifting down in to first at higher speeds. Lower speeds will not produce as much of a clunk from my experience.

You have a 2007? You may be hearing the injectors ticking as the engine revs up to keep up with the gear change.. my 2010s injectors are pretty noisy in situations like that and my exhaust is nowhere near quiet at all. I also get a whirling kind of noise which reminds me of a light weight flywheel.

 

this may sound silly but might as well try everything

Are you sure nothing has come loose or is something rattling that has nothing to do with anything anyone else said?

I have read these long epic threads on here where someone had something happeneing that sounded like a disaster and then they find a loose nut or something like it and that is all it was