Transmission noise has me concerned.

[standcool]

Getting to know my new Valk alittle better each day. I JUST changed the oil (Used Honda GN-4) hoping it would quiet down the NOISY transmission. The tranny  "whine" is VERY pronounced when getting on the gas w authority in 3rd, and especially 4th gear. Is this normal?

[Black Dog]

Square cut gears make some noise...  Synthetic oil has been known to help a bit. 

Check out Chet's site for lotsa great info on our beasts    This link has a brief answer to your question - http://www.rattlebars.com/valkfaq/index.html#NOISE

Grab a beverage of your choice, get comfortable, and enlighten yourself 

Black Dog

[BIG--T]

First let me say Welcome to the board!!  There are some real good folks on here and a wealth of knowledge that really helped me a lot.

Yes the sounds are normal. If you want to really quite it down, next time you change oil, I use the Mobil 4T 10w40 racing oil. It will not only quite it but also your tranny and smoother shifting. Also you can go 8-10k miles before changing. I like to change @ 8k and the filter @ 4k. It and Amsoil is the best you can buy but JMO.  

[JC]

It is normal. The girl is gonna growl some because of the square cut gears, and that's because of the power they have to transfer. I had a noticeable decrease in transmission noise when I switched to Mobil 1 from dino oil. I'm running Rotella now with only slightly more whine. Worst of it seem to be between 45-50mph for me. 

[Farther]

I'm running Rotella now with only slightly more whine. Worst of it seem to be between 45-50mph for me. 

+1

[Hoser]

15/50 Mobil one is the best for quiet gears.  Also the best at everything else, used it for 96000 miles now. Comes on sale occasionally at O'riley's for 6 bux a quart. 27 bux at Walmart, in a 5 quart container.  hoser

[Michvalk]

And to help with the concern, they make noise at idle in neutral, with the clutch out. Mine also whines like it has a blower. It has done it since I bought it with 8000 miles on it. Valks make lots of strange noises that you will not hear from a 1500 goldwing motor. I don't think anyone has an answer as to why, they just do. After 40,000 miles, I'm used to it

[sugerbear]

15/50 Mobil one is the best for quiet gears.  Also the best at everything else, used it for 96000 miles now. Comes on sale occasionally at O'riley's for 6 bux a quart. 27 bux at Walmart, in a 5 quart container.  hoser

+1

[Grumpy]

Just one question, do you have the chrome transmission covers ?  They amplify the noise. If you have them, take them off and put some sound deadening material such as dyna mat on the inside of them.
It  will reduce the noise a lot. I went through that with mine several years ago, added the covers and the transmission made twice as much noise. I lined mine with sheet cork, glued to the inside of the covers.

[Tailgate Tommy]

And to help with the concern, they make noise at idle in neutral, with the clutch out. Mine also whines like it has a blower. It has done it since I bought it with 8000 miles on it. Valks make lots of strange noises that you will not hear from a 1500 goldwing motor. I don't think anyone has an answer as to why, they just do. After 40,000 miles, I'm used to it

+1 Just bought an Interstate with Kuryakyn transmission covers and it whines like it has a turbo! But I kinda like it 

[BF]

You have a car enging strapped between your legs.  You're gonna hear every sound it makes.  I hear my gears mostly around 40-45 in fourth.  It's normal.  

[standcool]

Thanks for the re-assurance guys! This forum is AWSOME!! I noted 2 suggestions for either Mobil 1 15/50; or Mobil 4T 10w40 racing oil. The bike has 24K miles. I was warned not to get you guys debating which oil is best, as it could go on for months. Don't let ME be the source of that opened can of worms. Just answer me this: Mobil 4T or Mobil1 are full or semi-synthetics,  used in CARS right? **I was told to ONLY use an oil designed for MOTORCYCLES due to the oil being used by both the engine, AND transmission.
Enlighten me Oh gurus of the Nordic Goddess!!

[BF]

It ain't cheap, but I use the Mobil 20/50 v-twin motorcycle oil. 

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Mobil-1-qt-SAE-20W-50-V-Twin-full-synthetic-motorcycle-oil/_/N-255s?itemIdentifier=153232

[wiseguy]

I switched to Royal Purple 20/50 It took about 1000 miles and the whine is gone and so is the clunk when I would shift. Oh and by the way I picked up 6 miles to the gallon. I now get 33 mpg. I also put Royal Purple 75W90 in the differential.

[John U.]

The issue with oil being used by the engine and transmission is real. The potential problem has to do with friction modifiers, specifically molybdenum disulfide causing the wet clutch to slip.
Most oils have some moly, including many motorcycle specific oils. I think you'll find some reading material on this on the bobistheiolguy website.

Mobil One car oil has some moly but not a huge amount. Most of us Valkers using it have never had a slippage problem with it.
Personally, I have had a bit of slippage that I feared would get worse. My solution was to mix 1/1 Mobil One 15w50 with "dino" diesel motor oil (which has no moly) to reduce the moly content by half. So I'm using a synthetic blend of my own creation.
It has worked well for several years and doesn't increase the whine. It also reduces the overall price, and since I change oil at 5,000 miles I think a cheaper blend is serving me well without a corresponding sacrifice.
As with many of these discussions, there are many good options, not just one right way. It's your bike and your choice.

[cookiedough]

mobil1 or amsoil full synthetic agree are 2 of the best with amsoil for sure more money.  I use 10w-40 amsoil once per year of riding and never really notice whining from the engine.  If there is any, I think the noise sounds cool but I usually have my tunes on my mp3 player cranked to not hear much of anything else. 

[sugerbear]

look on the back of the oil can/jug. the "donut" should have nothing or api something in the bottom. just make sure it doesn't say energy conserving.
mobil 1 15-50 has nothing in the bottom of the donut. thousands of miles with NO problems.

[scarylarry]

use 10/40t here in wisconsin...climate may be a factor...can't go wrong w/ mobil 1...oil filter choice probably makes a bigger difference...my oil looked awful this spring..been using fram...think I want go w/ something better next time around

[scarylarry]

sry skipped your question..mobil 1 10/40t and v twin 15/50 are motorcycle specific oils

[YoungPUP]

Im up in NW indiana. Run Regular old white bottle Rotella (15w40) can't remember right now. Works Great, just remember to change to a thinner oil if your're a cooler weather rider. Makes it Very cold blooded on cooler days, and really increases the whine til it warms up.

[BF]

The Mobil 1 V-Twin is 20/50 and works great in our bikes with the wet clutches. 



"Features & Benefits

Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W-50 is recommended for four-cycle motorcycles that specify the use of a 20W-50 motor oil. It provides excellent performance in motorcycle engines that are designed with a common engine/transmission lubrication system or where the engine lubrication system is separate from the transmission system. In the case of the latter, follow the manufacturer s recommendation for the type of fluid to be used in the transmission. Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W-50 fully synthetic motor oil is also designed to provide the proper frictional characteristics necessary for wet-clutch engine/transmission systems. Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W-50 exceeds the requirements of API Service Categories SH, SG/CF, CD and has been fully tested, both on laboratory dynamometers and in the field, to provide optimum horsepower and acceleration
Excellent low temperature flow characteristics to help minimize engine wear during start-up
Optimized for hot-running, air-cooled engines
Enhanced lubrication for peak horsepower
Protects engines against harmful dirt deposits"

[Sodbuster]

Mobil 1 - 15W-50 Silver Cap - Non-Energy Conserving   

I went back and forth between Rotella T-6 and Mobil 1 and there is a noticeable difference in gear whine with Mobil 1 being a LOT quieter.

And can get it on sale quite often at O'Reileys for $4.99/qt