06 FLHTCUI Third gear noise - Harley Forum

Bipenut · #1 04-07-2009, 10:28 PM

Howdy all!!
Thanks for reading this, yesterday I put approx 100 miles on the bike, today while i was riding i can hear gear noise on acceleration.... no noise on deceration... any thoughts.... should i be worried.... maybe i need to brush up on transmissions...... dont really like that thought
Thanks again
Dennis

frisco-rigid · #2 04-08-2009, 02:04 AM

Hi Bi
How long have you owned the sickle, have you put on ALL it's miles.?

I'm guessing that you didn't hear any such noise the day before,, right.?

And you hear it only while accelerating in Third gear, yes..?

What is it about the noise that makes you think it's specifically in the gear box.. In-other-words--- just cuz you're in third gear why do you think it's the THIRD gear.?
I ask cuz while accelerating it's kinda diff to pin-point a noise sometimes..

Are there any extra vibes accompaning the noise.?

What does the noise sound like.? Grinding, banging, drum-roll.............?

Give us More info,, somebody will have something for ya..

Bipenut · #3 04-08-2009, 02:28 AM

I've had the bike for about a year, it had 13000 on it when I got it, now it has 22000. I am an auto technician, it sounds like the counter shaft bearing in a manual 5 speed transmission. Counter shaft in foreign cars works in all gears except the direct gear, either 3rd or 4th gears when it makes no noise. The noise I hear is only in 3rd gear on moderate to heavy acceleration and no noise in any other gear. And it is quiet on decel. I can tell this noise is defiantly coming from the gear box, no mistake. The noise is a medium pitched whine that gets louder the harder you accelerate. No additional vibrations or banging. I did skip that gear a few times while I was riding and then went back and used it and it sounded quieter.......
Thanks
Dennis

aceharleywrench · #4 04-08-2009, 08:03 AM

Ah,the infamous third gear whine,annoying Harley owners for the last 20 years.From my years at a dealership I can give you the official answer from the MoCo: "In third gear you're driving every gear on both shafts,so there's bound to be more mechanical noise than when you're in high gear & only driving the main drive gear" Try telling that to a guy who just spent 30k on a new bike,I think you can guess the response. To address your problem,have you recently changed the type of trans lube you've been running (hopefully you're not goofy enough to run 20w50 in the trans) lubrication seems to make all the difference in the amount of noise these trannys produce.I have used & recommended Spectro products for years,(Baker transmissions also) but other people on here have their favorites too.Try changing your fluid first,check the condition of the lube you drain out,I have seen several bikes with water contamination in the tranny.

unclepsycho · #5 04-08-2009, 11:11 PM

I have the same bike, Cobalt Bue, and I heard about that nise and I hear it too and have just gnored it....but I thought it was in 4th gear.... Now I gotta go listen again. I got 30k miles on mine and change the oil in the tranny every 5k. I use HD trans oil. I will look for the Spectro product.... cuz I know that if it is making noise... then it might be wearing off metal.... I usually just ease thru that noisy gear and keep on keepin on .......

Bipenut · #6 04-09-2009, 08:53 AM

Thank you all for your comments, I did drain the fluid, no metal, pretty clean, I was able to find some Baker trans fluid, put it in...... Very noticeable difference! Much quieter and eases my mind thank you again and safe riding to you!

Dennis

Gas Man · #7 06-13-2009, 11:24 PM

Has anybody used Redline heavy Duty shockproof in the HD trannies? I used it in my baker trans and it great quiets down the trans. Plus if you ever get leaks, the fluid being red makes it real easy to know it is or isn't tranny fluid.