I just bought a 2001 Screaming Eagle Road Glide. I bought it in St. Joe Missouri and rode 4 hrs home. The bike ran great and is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden.

The bike at 70 mph runs about 3200 rpms. I could be completely off base but the bike sounds like its running really hard. I was considering a 6 speed trans and a friend of mine mentions changing the ratio of my belt drive.

Am I just paranoid? Do I need to change anything at all? Pro's and Con's Please.

 

Welcome to the Forum from Colorado!

Sounds about right to me.

 

I run my 01 Ultra 75 to 80 on freeway most of the time. Never had a problem in 56000 of the 61000 miles on it.

 

Back in 1999, 2000, and 2001 HD introduced the Twin Cam engine on touring bikes with either a carb set up or an EFI option. HD introduced those EFI bikes with the MM EFI throttle body. The carb Touring Bikes were given 3.15 gearing and the MM EFI Touring Bikes were given 3.37 gearing. IIRC, the 2001 CVO Road Glide was an EFI bike.

IIRC, your bike is EFI which means you have 24/37 primary gearing and 32/70 secondary gearing for a final drive ratio of 3.37 which is why you feel like you need to drop cruise rpms. The motor spinning about 3200 rpms at 70mph, you might not like but that does no damage to the motor; as a matter of fact, the motor likes it.

You can replace the motor sprocket with a 25T and the clutch basket/ring gear with the 36T piece and at 3000 rpms, the bike will be running at 70-72mph, depending on the diameter of the rear tire. The compensating sprocket with 25 Teeth (HD# 40308-94) and clutch shell basket/36T ring gear (HD# 37707-98A) will change your current 3.37 final drive to 3.15 gearing; the parts will cost about $450 new. There are many that prefer the lower gearing and, if you look, you might find someone willing to swap.

 

You can do a 65 rear pulley but you will have to go down 2 teeth on the belt also and that would get you to about 3.13 that will knock you down to about 2900 @ 70. Probably the cheapest way out if you do the labor. Primary still has to come off though... with that gearing though I personally would go to the six speed myself. Like Djl said that is a very desirable ratio you currently have. I am running a 3.27 overall with a six speed and I love cruising @70 / 2650 rpm. it's truly all personal preference...