Lookin for advice on putting a 6 speed into my 79 wideglide 'bitsa'. Its got an 80CI motor and 4 speed currently..

 

what is it you think you will get from a 6 speed that gearing the 4 cant be done

the .086 6th gear the 80 inch motor will not pull it till your going 80MPH or better - BTW

 

Yep close up 2nd and 3rd and you'll appreciate it

 

What these guys said , I'd toss in a close ratio gear set, drop the rear sprocket to a 47T and the front to a 23T and roll with it. True overdrive's with a shovel are seriously under powered in 6th, lugs the hell out of it.

 

I'm going to be the devil's advocate here...I think you will love it. While you can gear the 4 speed down to be nice on the highway...what ever you gain on the top end, you will lose on the bottom end...and the 4 speed will never shift as nice as the 6. With the six speed, you will have more bottom end due to the lower fist gear, and be able to see out of the mirrors at 80. The statement that the motor is too underpowered is not entirely true...it works fine on flat ground...you just have to stay in the correct gear when it comes to big hills/mountains....so if you live in the mountains, don't waste your time/money. The only downside is the cost...you defiantly cannot go cheap...the baker 6 speed in 4 speed case is the only way to go...but you will choke when you see the price...but I love mine...best mod I ever made to the bike.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. Might save me a few shekels and change the gear set.....Ill post some before and after pics when I strip the bike down.
Incidently Its a 79 FXEF 1200 frame with an 82 Low Glide 80Cube engine. This will get some work too and Im sure I will be on looking for more advice on this forum..

Cheers

 

Thanks again for info. What ratios for each gear should I be lookin at? Jims transmissions suitable?

 

We have a 6into4 hooked to our 70 inch and yes you have to be doing 70-75 to use it but that's what an overdrive is for highway cruising. The other nice thing is you have the option of either a 3.24 or 2.94 1st gear and then closer ratios in 2nd-5th. You can gear it up or down through the primary or secondary drives as Twisted suggested but it can be a trade off. The price is $3795 minus your 10% forums discount, and yes as Tom said it's a little steep but it's not cheap making things in this country anymore.

 

I have a 6 speed on my 80" FXRT (originally 5 speed) and yes, 6th is just an overdrive gear for highway cruising... not a lot of power there. 5th is 1:1, like the 4th on "regular" shovels