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[Gamecock]

Anybody know anything odd about 4th gear on 6 speed making "whirr" noise? I did not notice it until I put the windshield on the bike, now I can hear it and it's only that gear that does it.

[djkak]

Loose nut behind the handlebar???  .....sorry.

[ragrep]

I think only the final drive gear is helical cut- so the others will make some noise- anyone else want to confirm it?

[grc]

I think only the final drive gear is helical cut- so the others will make some noise- anyone else want to confirm it?

Actually, the Cruise Drive six speed uses helical gear sets for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th gears.  Only 1st and 5th are spur (straight cut) gears.

Jerry

[moscooter]

 
That is true,  all the gears are not of the same type.  Whine/noise when they first came out with this combo....is why they introduced the "cush" drive in the rear axle.  It "dampens" some of the gear whine noise........but oh by the way,  my Harley Service mgr tells me it also costs..........a loss of some rear wheel horse power too!!!!!!!!!!

[arcticdude]

Many of the early 6 spds had a whine/whir in 5th.  Can't say I remember anybody talking about noise in 4th.  What are you running for tranny oil?  Several have lost most/all of their noise by switching to something different than Syn3.

[harpmr]

My FLHTCUSE4 was manufactured in 2/2009 and has a very clear "whine" in 5th gear - still running Syn 3 since have less than 1,000 miles

[moscooter]

 
Me too,  but as soon as my dyno tune-up is done (later this week),  mine is getting Redline products in all three holes.

[Gamecock]

Guys, it is 5th, not 4th, that is whining. I guess it's not a big deal since no one here or on other posts have any bad reports and there are no recalls for it.    HAPPY DAY!

[Shovelhead]

Mine whines, and regardless of what lubricant is run in it, it is a piece of junk, imho.

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=38206.0

[charlie]

My 08 do'es it in 5th.

[1abastarsmda]

Guys, it is 5th, not 4th, that is whining. I guess it's not a big deal since no one here or on other posts have any bad reports and there are no recalls for it.    HAPPY DAY!

I was just about to ask if you were sure it was 4th and not 5th.  Since it's 5th gear, not a problem.  Baker makes a fix for it, but I personally don't feel it's worth the $'s to get rid of that noise.  I took care of my 5th gear noise by putting on D&D 2 into 1's and the HogTunes 8 speaker system.  I don't hear anything else with those 2 noise makers.  That and my 5th gear is much better than it was on my 07.  I barely notice it on my 09, but on the 07 it was pretty distinct.

[LarryB]

it's a good way to know what gear you are in. if it whines, Im in 5th. changing lubes helped. i run Bel-ray gear saver

[grc]

Mine whines, and regardless of what lubricant is run in it, it is a piece of junk, imho.

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=38206.0

Harley transmissions, in my experience, have been a piece of junk long before the Cruise Drive 6 speed came along.  However, that opinion is based on things like shift quality (or lack thereof) and not on noise levels.  Mechanical devices, unless surrounded by heavy layers of sound insulation, tend to make noise when in operation.  If folks want total quiet, I might suggest a highly sound insulated electric automobile with a killer stereo.  Or a really good pair of ear plugs.

As far as I can tell, the reason folks have bitched about the 1st and 5th gear noise isn't because that noise is so much worse than previous bikes, it's because the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th gears are so much quieter than before.  It is a shame the MoCo didn't use helical gears throughout, like the Baker solution, but then again if you want stuff done right the first time you really shouldn't buy a Harley.

The response I like best is from LarryB.  The sound level difference between 5th and 6th makes a perfect "no extra cost" gear indicator.  No sensor needed, no light bulb, no LED saying "6", none of that modern tech.  Just use your ears and you'll always know if you're in 5th or 6th.

Jerry

[GtreetSlide]

My 09 whines worst in first gear, then also whines in 5th gear. Personally, I have grown fond of it. I always know when it's in 5th and helps remind me to go to 6. And on downshifts from highway speeds to a sharp turnoff, I always know when I've gotten down to 1st gear. Better than a gear indictor in my opinion.

jimbob