Gears too tall
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 31
Likes: 1
From: Guelph, On
Gears too tall
I am hoping someone on the forums has a good cost effective solution to the problem i am having when riding. In Canada most roads in town have a 50 or 60 KPH speed limit. Even at 65KPH if i shift into 3rd gear the motor is lugging. In 2nd gear i think (no tach) i am probably around 4k rpm. The same problem exists for me on the highway, at 90KPH (80 is the limit) i cant shift into 4th gear without feeling like the motor is lugging. This is my first HD, and maybe i am just not used to all of the power being so low in the rpm range, but it just feels "wrong" when i gear up in either case. Has anyone else run into this, and if so, what did you do to fix it?
Thanks in advance,
Jay
Thanks in advance,
Jay
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 211
From: Manila, Philippines
Just dont shift until your in the right rpms? Dont need to use the higher gears. Having said that, what year bike? Change the pulleys. I changed my 2008 fxdc front and back and can use the 6th gear. You will lose top end speed and speedo will need to be recalibrated.
I got a 70T rear pulley off of a Street Bob. I forget what year they made that in. Simple swap and can use the belt. The front 30T pulley is a pain to change so I would hold off until you try the rear to see if that gets you there.
Google HD Forum HD Pilot pulley change. He has the best write-up. He did a 68T for the rear. https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...lley-swap.html
I got a 70T rear pulley off of a Street Bob. I forget what year they made that in. Simple swap and can use the belt. The front 30T pulley is a pain to change so I would hold off until you try the rear to see if that gets you there.
Google HD Forum HD Pilot pulley change. He has the best write-up. He did a 68T for the rear. https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...lley-swap.html
Last edited by DonN; Apr 18, 2018 at 06:28 PM.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 31
Likes: 1
From: Guelph, On
Thanks for the reply. Not looking for top end speed at all. I am old, just looking to feel the wind. The bike is an 2011 wide glide, but it has a crate 110 motor in it. I am thinking that the problem is based on the fact that a stock transmission is mated to an engine it was not designed for and as a result i am handcuffed when riding. I have talked to my local dealer about changing pulleys, but the cost is prohibitive to say the least. Just want to ride at posted speeds or close to it without using only half of my gear box.
Jay
Jay
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
OP
Before you do anything, get yourself a small tach that goes up on the handlebar clamp or a combo speedo/tach. I think you'll be surprised at the rpm your engine is really turning. Most people without a tach (on a Harley) think their engine is screaming and it''s only turning 2800 rpm.
Before you do anything, get yourself a small tach that goes up on the handlebar clamp or a combo speedo/tach. I think you'll be surprised at the rpm your engine is really turning. Most people without a tach (on a Harley) think their engine is screaming and it''s only turning 2800 rpm.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 211
From: Manila, Philippines
A pulley change is probably the cheapest route. How much is the dealer quoting? Just buy the parts online and find someone else to install. Rear wheel is easy, can buy used pulleys on ebay, which is what I did.
Can also buy a mini tach to see your rpms. Its not cheap but a good thing to have.
Can also buy a mini tach to see your rpms. Its not cheap but a good thing to have.
Last edited by DonN; Apr 18, 2018 at 08:32 PM.
The 30t/68t is one of the best bang for the buck mods you can do. Kind of a pain in the *** to change the front pulley though.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 130
From: Vancouver
3000+ rpm, i never leave 2nd gear in the city besides if i rip it ..then 3rd at most. Live in canada also. Under 30/40km i have to run 1st gear.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 391
Likes: 176
From: Leicestershire, United Kingdom
On my Low Rider, I've found that it's quite normal to stay in 2nd until 65kph, and in 3rd until 95kph; up to those speeds I'd stay in those gears unless I was pottering along on a straight, flat road; otherwise I prefer to have the control that being in those gears provides.
well hes doing 30kPh not MPH. So yes, that is lugging it in 3rd.
And I still wouldnt run 30mph in 3rd gear, while not lugging it thats still dangerously low RPM in a factory geared bike IMO. Since the twin cam doesnt really make much power down low below 2300 its hard to pick up speed with just the twist of the throttle to get out of the way if need be.
And I still wouldnt run 30mph in 3rd gear, while not lugging it thats still dangerously low RPM in a factory geared bike IMO. Since the twin cam doesnt really make much power down low below 2300 its hard to pick up speed with just the twist of the throttle to get out of the way if need be.