Stock Softail RPM Question
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Edmonton, Alberta
Stock Softail RPM Question
For those with tachs on stock '95-ish Softails, what RPM are you running at 70 mph in 5th gear?
My "ear tach" says around 3,200 rpm, is it close?
My "ear tach" says around 3,200 rpm, is it close?
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: NC USA
Yes, that's what the math says but with factory tires it doesn't work out to that in the real world unless the rear tire is brand new/just installed.
And the needle on the tach is wide as a 50 rpm graduation, near impossible to see to going down the road.
And the needle on the tach is wide as a 50 rpm graduation, near impossible to see to going down the road.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2017
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From: Phoenix
Can I install a 36 tooth clutch sprocket on my clutch basket?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Poolville
What rear pulley are you running?
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I don't know the factory ratio for the primary.
I changed the final drive pulley's on my '92 FLHS to 34/65. Now at 3K rpm in 5th I'm doing 72/73ish
I changed the final drive pulley's on my '92 FLHS to 34/65. Now at 3K rpm in 5th I'm doing 72/73ish
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 2,060
From: Phoenix
Yes, you can install the 94 to '97 basket w/36 tooth. Just upgrade the clutch pack and get rid of the spring plate.. You might have to flip the chain adjuster around be able to get the proper adjustment on the primary chain but that's not an issue either, it's similar to what I did with my 98. But I went from a 25 to a 24 on the primary which is very similar as going from a 37 to a 36 on the clutch basket. And reducing the primary drive from a 1.54 to a 1.50:1. It's about a 3% reduction in ratio..
What rear pulley are you running?
What rear pulley are you running?
From my research my stock sprockets are 24/37 primary, 32/70 final drive for 3.37 gearing.
I'd like to update my 1990 to the gearing my 1997 FLHT had. It was 25/36 primary, 32/70 final drive for 3.15 gearing. They both use the same primary chain.
I figure it'd lower my engine speed by about 250 rpm's at 75 mph with the newer primary sprockets.
Thanks for letting me know what year clutch basket I need to find 👍.
Last edited by s-glide76; May 4, 2025 at 03:10 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,114
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From: Poolville
Not sure on the cost differences but for simplicity, going to a 65 tooth rear pulley would accomplish the same thing but you would have to go from a 132 to a 130 belt.. If you're doing all the work yourself labor doesn't count so take a look at which is cheapest..
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