trans internal differences
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 501
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From: Jersey
trans internal differences
besides the tapered shaft for clutch hub mounting, what other differences are there between transmission internals between a 1988 flh trans and a later 2000 + flh trans?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
Why do you ask? What do you have in mind? It helps us to answer your query if we know what your plan is! The internal layout of the gear ratios was rearranged in the mid-nineties IIRC. As an example, the gear lever return spring is masked by a gear in my 1990, so the entire gearset has to be removed to replace it. I understand in later trans the spring can be got at more easily through the top cover.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 501
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From: Jersey
Thanks guys. I'm debating on whether to go with a Baker 6 speed for my year, which is as you all well know is quite pricey, or just get a later model clutch assembly or hub so I can go with an Ultima 6 speed gearset which is quite a bit less expensive. I've read about every thread regarding both, and of course the Baker is the hot set up, but I'm not hard on my old FLHS and I'm thinking with a detailed setup and some minor mods to the case I can use the Ultima, they just don't make one for my year with the tapered shaft for the clutch hub. The tranny is getting real loud in 3rd and 4th and rather than spend a ridiculous amount to rebuild with HD parts I'd like to go for the 6th overdrive. Thoughts?
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 501
Likes: 150
From: Jersey
Yeah, I know they're a great product but even a builders kit is $2625 minus my military discount of 10% it's still $2450 shipped. I'm not rollin in dough so the Ultima is def more in my price range. I could build a new engine for the kinda money they want for a Baker, not that it isn't worth it but you'd think by now they would have paid for all the tooling and made enough profit to start lowering the price some after all the units they've sold.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: la la land jerzey
Thanks guys. I'm debating on whether to go with a Baker 6 speed for my year, which is as you all well know is quite pricey, or just get a later model clutch assembly or hub so I can go with an Ultima 6 speed gearset which is quite a bit less expensive. I've read about every thread regarding both, and of course the Baker is the hot set up, but I'm not hard on my old FLHS and I'm thinking with a detailed setup and some minor mods to the case I can use the Ultima, they just don't make one for my year with the tapered shaft for the clutch hub. The tranny is getting real loud in 3rd and 4th and rather than spend a ridiculous amount to rebuild with HD parts I'd like to go for the 6th overdrive. Thoughts?
I went and installed a 6 speed ultima in my 100 HP to the rear wheel heritage 5 maybe 6 years ago - and i have a shop and disposable bikes you might say, I wanted to see how long it would last as the bike is a beater, No one rides it like a human being - having said that its still in the bike and that reminds me to change the oil its been in it 3 years engine trans and primary - I know but I am busy and like I said its a beater
when it was first installed I did not like the shifting at all but after the first year its fixed its self or maybe it was the bel ray we went to 1/2 way into that year
at a traffic light any other bike is a target for out running so if you want to install one in no way would you abuse it the way mine is
its the second bike in the picture the black one
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 501
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From: Jersey
Good to know, thanks Johnjzjz. I'm comparing prices on the gear sets and a replacement clutch and I can get a complete low mileage take off primary and the gear set from Ultima for under $700. If I can find a good clutch hub and basket it'll be cheaper. That plus the gasket set and lube and I'll still be under 8. That'll make a nice winter project along with rebuilding the 42 Mikuni. Anybody else with experience with the Ultima gear sets? How noisy ( if at all ) are they? Right now 4th gear in mine is louder than the engine, and third is getting as bad.
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Yeah, I know they're a great product but even a builders kit is $2625 minus my military discount of 10% it's still $2450 shipped. I'm not rollin in dough so the Ultima is def more in my price range. I could build a new engine for the kinda money they want for a Baker, not that it isn't worth it but you'd think by now they would have paid for all the tooling and made enough profit to start lowering the price some after all the units they've sold.
You are right, they are expensive, but piece of mind is nice.
Oh and the fact that you can find me here and ask me any questions you may have should be worth a couple bucks.
Forgot to answer your original question. 87-89 tapered shaft.90 and up splined mainshaft.
In 1994 they went to what is known as "high contact gears" which are quieter. The scissor style spring was added to the shift pawl in 2000, much more durable spring.
As mentioned earlier the larger door bearings were also done in 2000.
Shift drums changed in 98 to allow for a normally closed neutral switch.
In 2000 the shift drum changed again to allow for the normally open neutral switch.
Nothing else really changed until Harley went to their 6 speed in the 2006 dyna's.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
In 1994 they went to what is known as "high contact gears" which are quieter. The scissor style spring was added to the shift pawl in 2000, much more durable spring.
As mentioned earlier the larger door bearings were also done in 2000.
Shift drums changed in 98 to allow for a normally closed neutral switch.
In 2000 the shift drum changed again to allow for the normally open neutral switch.
Nothing else really changed until Harley went to their 6 speed in the 2006 dyna's.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
