I think it'll be interesting. I plan on pillaging the front end and rear suspension from my FXDX, using touring brembos and floating rotors, and possibly the 13 spoke mags.
I plan on following your lead for weight loss and using some aftermarket, plastic and aluminum parts (fenders, tank?, gauge, bars) wherever feasible.
I want to rewire minimally and effectively, using leds and an m-unit if I can afford it.

 

You want a 5 spd, splined shaft. Stay away from the tapered shaft where they use a key to keep the clutch hub positioned
Edit: you can get a better clutch hub if you end up with a good deal on a tapered shaft tho'.

 

Okay cool.
so do you know what years will bolt right up if any?
Do I have to put a 5spd in a 4spd box?
Will any 5spd gearset fit?
Thanks .

 

Did you do a search here? This has been discussed before. You'll get a lot of info.

 

I did, but I hadn't found any specific fitment answers.
i'll keep searching.

 

Let me educate you before you spend money becuase you and big number of people do not understand a basic fact about the 4&5 sp trans, there is NO DIFFERENCE between the 4 sp and the 5 sp at final drive, the ratio is 1-1 on both of them you don't get higher gearing or overdrive going to the 5. What a 5sp does is close up the 1st through 3rd ratios the 4 sp had a big gap in, that's it.

You want to change the way the bike feels on the highway you need to play with primary ratios and final drive sprocket gearing to drop the motor RPM, only way to it without spending big change on an actual aftermarket 6 speed overdrive trans like Bakers.

Is not going to be as simple as you are hoping it will be sorry.

 

Very little that I do is.
I'm not programmed to do things the easy way.

Having said that, thanks for the info.
My goal wasn't searching for overdrive, if anything, it'd be the opposite: more takeoff at a light.
But I'll use sprocket/pulley gearing, weight loss and engine mods for that.
Maybe I should've re-worded my question to: With $500, which transmission would you buy?
My apologies for not clarifying.

I don't mind going with the stock trans, but I was trying to get a 5 speed:
- to avoid design flaws (i.e. woodruff key),
- I'm used to a 5 speed and fear the "big gaps" of the 4 speed
- I thought they might be most plentiful and therefore least expensive.
- since I don't have the stock one anyways, why not see what FXR riders recommend
(Thanks FXDLX)
I didn't want a 6 speed because highway revs with a 5 didn't bother me with my Dyna and I already spend enough time wondering which friggin gear I'm in.

Maybe putting a splined shaft 5 speed trans in a 1985 FXRS,
or putting a splined shaft 5 speed gearset in a 1985 trans box is not worth the trouble.
But that's why I'm here.

 

Speaking from experience, I did a 5 into 4 on an 1985 wg. By the time I was done, it cost the same as a Baker would have cost. Throw a 4 speed in, ride the daylights out of it and save up for the Baker.

 

If you won't and can't afford a baker gearset that doesn't mean that you can't afford all of their products to compliment the oem gearset. I am speaking about their shifter pawl, shift drum, and throw out bearing. These are all excellent quality pieces to make a really nice tranny.

 

Yup it's starting to look that way. (I did subsequently find some threads on "tapered to splined upgrade" )
I'm starting to revisit my previously abandoned idea of using my entire 2001 FXDX drivetrain.