Seeking opinions on transmission and drive conversions and motor mounts

ATM67 · #1 07-27-2007, 07:15 PM

OK, so I am still learning and seeking opinions here. I have a question that has been asked somewhere once before, I am sure. In fact, I have seen comments before in different posts. So, here is my situation and question. My bike is sometimes hard to get into and then keeps slipping out of 4th gear, especially when letting off the throttle. My local indy shop owner believes a rebuild is necessary. The father of one of my sonâ€™s friends is an Evo rider and formally a panhead owner. He said if I am going to have the tranny rebuilt, why not replace it with a 5 speed, especially since there are 5 speed in a 4 speed case out there to just slip in. While checking out the 5-in-a-4 transmissions, I discovered that there is now a 6-in-a-4 out there. He also suggested that I could switch from a chain to a belt drive, and that would help eliminate vibration. In my research I have seen kits that will convert both my 4 speed and my chain drive. Then he suggested that I look into ISO mounts for my motor. He said he loved his panhead, but the constant vibrations caused him to get rid of it. I am looking for opinions that are either for or against any of these suggestions.

jmetro · #2 07-29-2007, 11:08 AM

vibration is part of being a harley owner,

cost wise, the 5 speed is better than the six, as the five speed is a gear set, and the six is a whole tranny, case and all.

chain is easier to replace than a belt, and if you take care of it, will last quite a while.

70 bucks for a chain or 200-250 for a belt........not to mention the cost of changing the primary, respacing the rear wheel, etc........

go with the 5 into 4 and leave it chain............ JMO.

ATM67 · #3 07-30-2007, 06:57 AM

ok... so I've found a used "Harley Davidson big twin transmission, 5 speed in a 4" advertised for sale. Ad says it was removed from a '86 Softtail. Is it likely that this tranny willfit my '78 FXE?

jmetro · #4 07-30-2007, 10:24 AM

a 4 speed case is a 4 speed is a 4 speed is a 4 speed, nothing really changed by way of mounting them............... as long as you have the mounting plate that your original trans was on, it SHOULD work......... be cautious though, people will say anything to sell their own junk

cj_slowdown · #5 07-31-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: ATM67

OK, so I am still learning and seeking opinions here. I have a question that has been asked somewhere once before, I am sure. In fact, I have seen comments before in different posts. So, here is my situation and question. My bike is sometimes hard to get into and then keeps slipping out of 4th gear, especially when letting off the throttle. My local indy shop owner believes a rebuild is necessary. The father of one of my sonâ€™s friends is an Evo rider and formally a panhead owner. He said if I am going to have the tranny rebuilt, why not replace it with a 5 speed, especially since there are 5 speed in a 4 speed case out there to just slip in. While checking out the 5-in-a-4 transmissions, I discovered that there is now a 6-in-a-4 out there. He also suggested that I could switch from a chain to a belt drive, and that would help eliminate vibration. In my research I have seen kits that will convert both my 4 speed and my chain drive. Then he suggested that I look into ISO mounts for my motor. He said he loved his panhead, but the constant vibrations caused him to get rid of it. I am looking for opinions that are either for or against any of these suggestions.

First you have a 78 fxe, I really donâ€™t think a evo tranny will fit into it, I am not 100% sure of that but, I just put in a tranny in my fxs, the maker stated â€œthis tranny will fit only shovelhead stock frames to early â€™84â€ will not fit evoâ€™s, but will fit custom frames made to install stock shovelhead trannys.

So I would really make sure itâ€™s going to fit before putting out your money.

Stay with the chain, yeah more of a pia but stronger, cheaper than converting to a belt, remember you just donâ€™t put on a rear final sprocket and belt, last time I looked into it (in a weak moment ) you needed a swing-arm and (just donâ€™t bet on this one) inter-primary ? not counting the $250 trans belt sprocket ! you have a nice piece of change going into that ! I rather spend that money on a chain drive 6 OD if I need it (hi-way use) if not go with the 5 speed, I hear since Indian went out of bis, there are a lot of â€œnewâ€ 5 speeds around, also heard there were the same as rev-tech all made in korea, beware.

Good luck

cj

Edited on 8/1/2007

Just talked to a guy that owns a cycle shop, he told me yeah EVO, 5 speeds will fit shovels but you need an adapter plate the tranny mount, as for the switch to the belt, he said, Why ?

ATM67 · #6 08-02-2007, 07:14 AM

cj,

Thanks for the feedback and follow-up. I am thinking I will go with the Baker 6 in a 4 upgrade for the tranny. I want to make this my ride to work, and I have a 35+ mile commute one way, and Â¾ of it is highway. The overdrive sure would be nice on the fuel consumption, and maybe reduce some of the engine vibration. That way, I wouldn't feel like I had as much of a workout before I got to work. Now, if I could only findout if I can do a rebuild with the upgreded parts, or am I locked into buying the whole tranny? Baker's site doesn't say they they sell gear sets. Logic says, "They put gear sets in tranmission cases. So, why wouldn't they sell the gear sets?"

wbogley · #7 08-02-2007, 09:24 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: ATM67

cj,

Thanks for the feedback and follow-up. I am thinking I will go with the Baker 6 in a 4 upgrade for the tranny. I want to make this my ride to work, and I have a 35+ mile commute one way, and Â¾ of it is highway. The overdrive sure would be nice on the fuel consumption, and maybe reduce some of the engine vibration. That way, I wouldn't feel like I had as much of a workout before I got to work. Now, if I could only findout if I can do a rebuild with the upgreded parts, or am I locked into buying the whole tranny? Baker's site doesn't say they they sell gear sets. Logic says, "They put gear sets in tranmission cases. So, why wouldn't they sell the gear sets?"

I looked at these Baker Trans as well...I think they are really Sweet! However, the price!! WOW, they are not cheap. What price did you get quoted for these? Did you look at a rebuild with a Andrews gear set and perhaps going to a bigger rear sproket? Andrews stuff is VERY Good!

ATM67 · #8 08-02-2007, 03:12 PM

I haven't contacted Baker yet. I am hoping I won't have to go through a third party. The best third party price I have been given is $2500 (installation not included). Like I said earlier, I would be happy to gut my existing tranny and replace with the upgrade. That would have to be much more affordable. I will also look into Andrews. I am assuming from cj's post that I should stay away from Rev-Tech. Does anyone else think that is that a wise assumption?

wbogley · #9 08-02-2007, 03:19 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: ATM67

I haven't contacted Baker yet. I am hoping I won't have to go through a third party. The best third party price I have been given is $2500 (installation not included). Like I said earlier, I would be happy to gut my existing tranny and replace with the upgrade. That would have to be much more affordable. I will also look into Andrews. I am assuming from cj's post that I should stay away from Rev-Tech. Does anyone else think that is that a wise assumption?

Seems like no one likes Rev Techs stuff...motors, trannys, etc. Almost everyone I talk to says buys S&S or Andrews. I have see the 4 speed Andrews kits on ebay for $470.00

ATM67 · #10 08-02-2007, 04:27 PM

In doing my searches, I came across this from Tejas Thump Cycles, "All Baker Transmission gears are manufactured by Andrews Products Inc." Now... if I can only find that 6 in a 4 conversion from Andrews and not the swap out from Baker. (I feel like a dog chasing its tail.)