Shifting/Transmission

[2003buellxb9s]

So a few weeks ago I thought I started noticing a new smell coming from my bike while riding, it was a familiar kind of burning smell that was previously associated in my mind with the burning clutch of a car. The smell was so faint and inconsistent that I thought it might have just been exhaust or whatever from certain cars/trucks I was driving behind.

Now I've noticed that it's a little more difficult and loud to shift and am thinking the two are connected.

Check the tranny fluid? Drain and replace? I've put at least 2000 miles on it since I bought it 8 weeks ago and that includes 2 weeks in the shop.

Thanks,

 

[gbalias]

id say replace the fluid. when you drain it out, take a good smell to see if its burned up or looks strange. (ie particles, metal shavings, discoloration, etc) then replace with Amsoil 20w5 Vtwin. it helped smooth out my tranny a bunch.

hows the adjustment on the clutch?

 

[2003buellxb9s]

Well, I just opened it up to check it out and although the level looks good, I think the fluid itself is all jacked up. I've never looked in a transmission before, but the most "liquid" of the substance inside was a true gray color and then there was this greyish yellowish substance more the consitency of cream that was caked on to the inside of the clutch inspection cover.

it didnt smell burned but it sure as hell looked strange and even a little of the creamy part looked a little bubbly so i guess burned.. damn.

i havent checked the clutch adjustment cause it doesn't "slip" or "drag"..

please help, that just scared me...

 

[Thaloc]

Royal Purple 20w50 Max Cycle[up]

 

[2003buellxb9s]

gotcha Thaloc, but is there anything else i need to do since it was all creamy? like is that "normal"?

 

[gbalias]

depends. where are you located? how long before you opened it up did you ride it? ...theres a lot of factors. be sure to fill to level in service manual.

 

[blackedout]

The "creamy" part is most likely water or moisture. When moisture gets mixed with oil it turns milky and creamy. I would clean it out as much as possible, refill with AMSoil, and try riding it again. I am certain you will feel a huge difference in the shifting. Then to be extra careful, I would do another change in a month or so, to try to remove any of the old fluid left in there. Good luck.

 

[2003buellxb9s]

I'm in Washington DC, I bought it with 3500 miles on it and have put 2200 miles on it since then, first time looking at it.. if it had ever been changed i imagine it would have only been at the 1000 mile service..