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Groaning clutch?

358 Views 11 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  GhostryderID
I posted this over in the troubleshooting forums but nobody is seeing it there to respond, so apologies, but here it is again in general discussion...

I have a 2019 RG FLTRX with 27k on it, and intermittently have had issues with getting an odd and fairly loud groaning sound, mostly but not limited to while clutching, that I can usually feel in the clutch lever and the bars. The issue started probably around 8k and it's been serviced 4 times since but the service center of course can't ever get it to do it while they have it. It seems to be getting more frequent, doing it at least a couple of times per ride and usually but not always happens shortly after starting it up.

I was at an LE memorial event last Friday and when the motorcade pulled out after their bikes had been parked for a couple of hours, I heard one of the police Harley's (Ultra's) make the same noise mine is making. Is this a clutch adjustment thing that can be resolved, something more serious I should be worried about, or just an HD quirk I have to live with?
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I saw/read your last post, but I don't have any info for you. Not sure why no one chimed in.
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Is the primary chain tension to tight? Might want to ck that.
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Got nothing.. it’s a Harley…
Does this occur when it's engaged or the clutch pulled in?
Primarily engaged but it's done it a couple times after just releasing the clutch too.
Can you elaborate on what "Groaning" is? Does it sound like it could be the clutch friction components making noise when starting to engage then it stops when the clutch finally grabs?

When you say 'serviced 4 times'...what did they do? Are you just talking primary fluid replacement?
Can you elaborate on what "Groaning" is? Does it sound like it could be the clutch friction components making noise when starting to engage then it stops when the clutch finally grabs?

When you say 'serviced 4 times'...what did they do? Are you just talking primary fluid replacement?
Full HD service with fluid replacement and full inspection, plus various things the mileage calls for such as replacing the triple tree bearing at the 25k service. Plus I did a stage 2 kit in there as well, and they do a test ride every time to make sure all is good. Of course the bike will never do it when they have it.

And it's not at a mid point during clutch engagement, it is either all the way engaged or not engaged and usually at slow or no speed. I'm not even positive it is the clutch. It is so intermittent and only does it for a second or two, that it is hard to nail down what it is, but I can feel it through the bars and clutch lever when it does it, hence my thinking maybe clutch. I was wondering if it could maybe be air bubbles in the clutch lines since it is a hydraulic clutch?
Definitely bleed the clutch first with fresh fluid , these are know to get aut in them , start there .
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I stopped by the dealership yesterday and described it to them. Dennis, my service writer said his 2020 RG does it too and they bled the clutch, changed the fluid etc, and it still does it. He said they chased it and chased it on his and never could get it to quit. Apparently it's a quirk only some bikes have. Yay. :cautious:
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If the friction point is in the right place, and neutral is easy to find, I can't fathom why - yet again - bleeding the clutch would be necessary.

For an actual test, try changing the primary fluid to anything other than the stuff from Harley ... Seriously anything... Because regardless of whether it gets better or worse, at least you'll know you're on the right track ...(if it does something different)... Or not.
For an actual test, try changing the primary fluid to anything other than the stuff from Harley ... Seriously anything... Because regardless of whether it gets better or worse, at least you'll know you're on the right track ...(if it does something different)... Or not.
I'm running the Amzoil synthetic in it rather than the default HD oil. I'll look at trying something different next go round 3k miles from now.
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