Has anyone replaced the 5 speed with a 6 speed transmission on their Ultra Classic with stock 88? Was it worth the cost and what are the gear ratio of the 6 speed?

 

I put a SE six speed in my Road King. Works fine, 1st thru 5th are the same as stock transmission. 6th gear is a .87 to 1 drive. I enjoy it but it will never pay for its self. For me it is more of a enjoyment factor than anything. I like the lower rpms at 75-80. Gas mileage difference is minor.

 

I have a stock 88 in my 99 Ultra and would love to get my RPM's down, but the piggy bank just can't handle the investment.

 

replacing the tranny gearset can be under $1000, depends on what you can do.
there are various 6 speed gearsets- some are "close ratio" with a 1:1 final. others are a .89 or .87 overdrive



or...look at your rear axle adjusters.
if you are right now at correct tension and you have about an inch of adjustment available to the rear of the axle...

you can get a 65T rear pulley and NEW pulley bolts, this will drop your revs slightly( 8%). cost about $60 ( used pulley from a softail model) and take an hour.

on my 95 FLHTC I would do this swap before a big trip...where i am in 5th gear for 95% of the day

and then on rtn I would swap back so that I had gearing for stop and go city traffic

my lightweight FXRP has a 61T rear pulley, but that requires pulling the swingarm and using a softail belt

but to use an overdrive, you need the power to use it.
at least a stage 1 to get your 55 or 58 hp bike up to 63 or so HP

mike

 

Question is why? Not worth the time, effort, and money.
You will run 300/500 less rpm, so what? If your a highway screamer still not worth it.

 

what about swapping the transmission pulley ??

 

I do not see a need to do so. Where Harley's make their power is from 3000 and above. Maybe as low as 2800. So the sixth gear would only be useful to me on interstates when maintaining 80. And since I live east of the Mississippi, I rarely can maintain 80 MPH for vary long. If I lived west of the Mississippi, I'd probably do it.

 

Really... I rode a friends 2014 and shifted into 6th at 75 or so .....it felt so smooth.....85 even better.
My 02 which I will keep till I die......at 70 its needing more!
If you never ride on the interstate then it would be a waste .....
just my 2 cents....
I plan on doing that mod on mine.....

 

I have a Baker DD6, with lowered overall gearing, so I have a slightly lower first etc, plus a 5 1/2 top gear. All the better for climbing steep Alpine hairpins and chasing Porsches down autobahns! But that's because I can, with an S&S 107" for added assistance. I wouldn't do that with a near stock 80".

When on the highway wear ear plugs - best tuning aid known to mankind. And yes, I use them most of the time, except for short local trips.

 

With my 96" stock, the 6th gear was barely never used except above 70 mph. With cams it was better but not that much. Now with the 103HO it way more usable. I would say if you ride interstate a lot and above 70 mph a lot then go for it but do something to your motor and you won't regret it.