Tranny sprocket change

PosseRider

3750+ Posts
Gold Member
Jan 29, 2016
4,153
3,928
Dayton, OH
Name
Bill
Anyone changed the transmission sprocket on a 16 yet? Talked with my service manager about it & he agrees these are geared to low now. Just not sure about going one or two teeth different.
 
Anyone changed the transmission sprocket on a 16 yet? Talked with my service manager about it & he agrees these are geared to low now. Just not sure about going one or two teeth different.

From 2010 on Harley went the opposite way to give the Tri-Glide.. Much needed off the line grunt...

Just why do you want to go back... And is [Like they sometimes do] your service manager agreeing with you just to agree with you...:Shrug:
 
I dont like my engine screaming at 65 mph. When HD changed they went 2 teeth diff. I want to go back 1. I have a great SM that knows what he is doing. If he thinks something is not needed, he will tell the customer they are wasting $$.
 
Everything is a compromise,Bill. Your engine now should be around 2,500 rpm at 65mph,in 6th gear. That's almost optimum for a big Twin Cam. Our trike with a 32T front is seeing roughly 2,100 rpm at 65 mph. That's on the low side of safety, for a 103" or bigger, as these engines don't take well to being lugged. They actually like being kept around 3,000 rpm. The 32T front works ok at our 75-80 mph speeds we typically see on the freeways around here but I would prefer a 30T front the rest of the time.

Who offers a 31T front pulley? I don't think H-D does and anything from the aftermarket won't be cheap. Strangely enough, a 30T front like you have now, is only about $80 from your Harley dealer, yet that same 32T front is well over $200 from the same place.
 
Everything is a compromise,Bill. Your engine now should be around 2,500 rpm at 65mph,in 6th gear. That's almost optimum for a big Twin Cam. Our trike with a 32T front is seeing roughly 2,100 rpm at 65 mph. That's on the low side of safety, for a 103" or bigger, as these engines don't take well to being lugged. They actually like being kept around 3,000 rpm. The 32T front works ok at our 75-80 mph speeds we typically see on the freeways around here but I would prefer a 30T front the rest of the time.

Who offers a 31T front pulley? I don't think H-D does and anything from the aftermarket won't be cheap. Strangely enough, a 30T front like you have now, is only about $80 from your Harley dealer, yet that same 32T front is well over $200 from the same place.

My 16 is about 2600 at 60. Not sure about the pulley but I think he knows where to get them as he has already done this change for another trike rider.
 
i was thinking the same thing when i first bought my trike. but load that thing down with two people on it and it does need that lower gearing. i wish the thing had another gear that was an overdrive. that way you would have the best of both worlds.
 
i was thinking the same thing when i first bought my trike. but load that thing down with two people on it and it does need that lower gearing. i wish the thing had another gear that was an overdrive. that way you would have the best of both worlds.

Baker Drivetrain offers a 7 speed gearset that features a much lower 1st gear, to help heavy bikes or trikes. Those things would be the ultimate way to go,IMO. One of our members here had a Baker 7spd in his Road Glide. I'll drop him a pm and see if he will comment.

Here's a link to the Baker 7spd gearset. http://bakerdrivetrain.com/products/...nt=16099842755
 
Baker DD7

It's worth every penny spent. What a difference it makes. 1 and 2 gear are closer geared and 6 and 7th is as well. It hard to explain but once you ride with a DD7 you'll never look back.
If I recall correctly on the Interstate going 65-75, when you put it in 7th. I swear I heard my bike say "Thank you". RPM's dropped to somewhere around 2800-3000 and the motor just seemed to relax. You cant ride in 7th gear under 60 mph though, she'll start lugging. Hope this helps.
 
Hell, I have a hard time remembering to shift into 6th at 70mph. When I had my Ducati and Dyna I raced around like a crazy man. The Duc could pull wheelies in 2nd gear. Trikes are cruisers, about the only thing you could race is another gimp on a trike. (I'm smiling when I say gimp 'cause I be one)

Unless you are very handy, that 1 tooth gear change will cost you about $800, do you really think it is worth it. When the 'fad was going strong, I never considered changing the sprocket on my '09 trike. Slip the clutch a tad when starting and all was just fine.

But, if it really bugs you, have at it, it's only money
 
Hell, I have a hard time remembering to shift into 6th at 70mph. When I had my Ducati and Dyna I raced around like a crazy man. The Duc could pull wheelies in 2nd gear. Trikes are cruisers, about the only thing you could race is another gimp on a trike. (I'm smiling when I say gimp 'cause I be one)

Unless you are very handy, that 1 tooth gear change will cost you about $800, do you really think it is worth it. When the 'fad was going strong, I never considered changing the sprocket on my '09 trike. Slip the clutch a tad when starting and all was just fine.

But, if it really bugs you, have at it, it's only money

Man, I always love how you put stuff.

You need to post more often. ThumbUp:D
 
If it were only that simple,HH. Do some more research and you will see why it is a great gearset.
no doubt this is a great gearset and would give you the correct gear most of the time, but as far as top gear it would be the same rpm's as the stock six speed. 1 to 1, so no lower rpm's at highway speeds. i still want one though. much improved over the stock harley trans. now if they would start making a better MDGB, that would really be great.
 
no doubt this is a great gearset and would give you the correct gear most of the time, but as far as top gear it would be the same rpm's as the stock six speed. 1 to 1, so no lower rpm's at highway speeds. i still want one though. much improved over the stock harley trans. now if they would start making a better MDGB, that would really be great.

MDGB?
 
Hell, I have a hard time remembering to shift into 6th at 70mph. When I had my Ducati and Dyna I raced around like a crazy man. The Duc could pull wheelies in 2nd gear. Trikes are cruisers, about the only thing you could race is another gimp on a trike. (I'm smiling when I say gimp 'cause I be one)

Unless you are very handy, that 1 tooth gear change will cost you about $800, do you really think it is worth it. When the 'fad was going strong, I never considered changing the sprocket on my '09 trike. Slip the clutch a tad when starting and all was just fine.

But, if it really bugs you, have at it, it's only money

No need to slip the clutch on a 16, already geared low.Too low. At 70 these 16's are screaming. Hell at 60 they are 2700 or so
 
My 12 pulls 3grand @ 70mph. Remember the power band I believe, is 2-3k. However 1st would be nice to be a lower rasheo
 
Hell at 60 they are 2700 or so

I think you need to understand that the Twin Cam was meant to turn more RPMs. I run mine 2up with a trailer in tow a lot and even if I'm just cruising around by myself I keep the RPMs at 2800 or above. We do a lot of traveling out West and it's not uncommon to run 70MPH into the wind all day in 5th gear. The engine will take it and the trike will take it so just ride it like you stole it.
 
sorry, main drive gear bearing

- - - Updated - - -

one thing i've been watching and reading is Kevin and Marys trips. he seems to run his tri at all speeds with no problems. 80 mph all day ! so 'im just going to ride mine. as i said before you load these these down with gear and a another person i think you might need that lower gearing.
 
Just remember, NO LUGING. #1 reason to kill a motor.

#2 rule=never run below 2k
Lots of shifting with 2up or with trailer. 🔃🔃🔃
 
Been trying to remember what the SM told me & all I could remember was Baker. Thanks Clint
 
Been trying to remember what the SM told me & all I could remember was Baker. Thanks Clint

Two things about the Baker pulley: (1) It just shows fitment for a Dyna (2) Price was around $200.

Andrews stuff is every bit as good and their price is around $125. Just something to think about.
 
SM, likes the Andrews, Drop it off the 11th. K&N filter, oil change , pulley change, put decatted head pipe on & tune. Then about a week or so after done heading out on a 3000 mile ride. Have 2000 on the Trike already . So between the Limited & the Tri I will get about 10 to 11,000 this season,maybe more if weather holds.
 
SM, likes the Andrews, Drop it off the 11th. K&N filter, oil change , pulley change, put decatted head pipe on & tune. Then about a week or so after done heading out on a 3000 mile ride. Have 2000 on the Trike already . So between the Limited & the Tri I will get about 10 to 11,000 this season,maybe more if weather holds.

Sounds good,Bill. Looking forward to hearing the ride report and how well the new gearing works.
 
Update.

Picked bike up yesterday afternoon. 1st impression----GREAT. One tooth down (31) & bike feels good. kitty is gone & much cooler, also K&N filter & PV. Sound is a bit stronger, so maybe no slip-on's needed. Will see how it performs on our next trip (hopefully leaving Tues) to Taos,NM. Engine is not screaming anymore at 65.
 
Don't forget

Please keep us posted on the 32 tooth pulley. I'm looking to change and would like to know more about the change to 31 tooth pulley. :clapping:ThumbUp ride safely fred

DSC00270.JPG
Picked bike up yesterday afternoon. 1st impression----GREAT. One tooth down (31) & bike feels good. kitty is gone & much cooler, also K&N filter & PV. Sound is a bit stronger, so maybe no slip-on's needed. Will see how it performs on our next trip (hopefully leaving Tues) to Taos,NM. Engine is not screaming anymore at 65.
 
1st day on trip to Taos. So happy with the 31 tooth change. Did about 410 miles today, all state & US routes. Have not checked the mileage, but what a difference. I am a happy camper. Can cruise now @ 65 & engine is not screaming. Cat removed was a biggggg improvement for heat removal. Rode over half the day with vents closed. Wife says her feet did not get hot at all. PV tune has it running strong & cool.. Not much difference in take off as far as clutch is concerned.
:pepper::pepper::pepper:
 
Please keep us posted on the 32 tooth pulley. I'm looking to change and would like to know more about the change to 31 tooth pulley. :clapping:ThumbUp ride safely fred

Fred,do you still have the 32T front on your 2009?
 
Well as far as I know `

6TH gear is just about useless in PA unless on Interstate highways. 5th gear is the cats but 6th not so much I gotta use a little chalk and count to make sure before I buy any parts. :Shrug::Shrug: fred
Fred,do you still have the 32T front on your 2009?
 
OK, so today was across Rt 60 in MO. Hills all the way across the state, strong headwind. Cruise set at 65, pulled very well in 6th gear .(no downshift even on the long ones) 32 mpg. 2 up & fully loaded. Mostly flat running tomorrow. Will check mpg again.
 
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