Triumphrat

05-24-2006

Can anyone out there with a Speedmaster tell me if your transmission CLUNKS when you shift?

I have two Triumphs. A 2000 TT600 (which makes NO NOISE) when shifting and a 2005 Speedmaster which sounds AWFUL when I shift gears.

When I bought the Speedmaster I complained about the transmission noise problem and was told it would go away and the transmission would shift "as smooth as butter" after the 500 mile break-in period was over and the synthetic oil was put in.

Well, the oil got switched at 500 miles and it made NO difference in the shifting noise. I have 2000 miles on the bike and I HATE TO RIDE IT. The noise is REAL BAD for 1st and 2nd, or if you shift down to neutral with the clutch pulled in coasting to a red light.

NONE of my other motorcycles have ever owned have been this noisy and it's REALLY ANNOYING. Does anyone else have this issue?

P.S. I wasted an entire Saturday taking the bike to the shop in Raleigh only to have the mechanic test ride the bike and then say "that's normal" transmission noise and recommending I speed shift. Speed shifting does nothing for 1st or 2nd. I tried it, it still clunks.

I was wondering if I should dump the bike and get a Harley or BMW. It's sad my Speedmaster is such a dog. I was hoping for more from my first Triumph (I bought the TT600 on Ebay after buying the Speedmaster).

Regards, Joe Hart
Cary, NC

Normandy · 05-24-2006

Dump the speedie and get a harley.

scooterscum · 05-24-2006

I would say it will be better after 5000, but I am relying on other posts.
Stay with it, you have a great bike...

Spanky · 05-24-2006

Mine clunks a little bit from 1st to 2nd then its fine.

the dealer says its normal.

[ This message was edited by: Spanky on 2006-05-24 17:27 ]

Silverado57 · 05-24-2006

Joe, I don't consider it a clunk as much as a "positive response". :-D

Mine gets better after the first shift of the day. Give it a bit longer.

What kind of oil are you using?

Binnsy · 05-24-2006

Mine clunks more when I try to be gentle with it. Now I give it a firm kick into gear and I hardly notice any clunk. I rode my buddy's Heritage softtail and it is exactly the same clunkyness..if that's a word?

dazco · 05-24-2006

Mine has 6k and it still does it. Maybe moreso than new. At least i don't remember it doing that as much then, but i could be mistaken. Unfortunatly the twins tend to have noisy engines all around. Whine, valve noise, and the tranny. it's something i'm not perticualrly fond of but it doesn't really bother me to any degree worth noting. try a harly if you wanna know what shifting noise is all about ! they invented the malady. :-D

However, heres a tip that could possibly help. Valvoline bike oil. Available at autozone. I don't think it's synyh however, but it really does reduce engine noise. A lot when cold and a little after maybe 20 miles when it's fully warmed up. I would think it would also apply to the gears, tho when i tried it i wasn't listening for that because i never really think about the shifting noise. so i can't guarantee it.

I dumped it after a few days and went back to Mobil Vtwin because the bike wasn't as quick with the valvoline. Most don't believe me when i say that so if you wish to discount my notion that it slowed the bike too, try it and maybe you'll lessen the noise and won't notice the slowing effect that i did. or even if you do it might be a worthy trade-off if it bothers you that much.