Shovelhead A place to talk about Shovelheads.

Tranny Rebuild input requested

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 31, 2015 | 07:43 AM
  #1  
YeOldeStonecat's Avatar
YeOldeStonecat
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12,227
Likes: 7,803
From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
Default Tranny Rebuild input requested

So I'm wanted to get some peace of mind (and seal the leak) regarding my tranny. Got the standard 4 spd ...rotary top, cow pie, whatever...
She leaks bad through that seal 'tween her and the inner primary. The bike doesn't just mark it's spot...it takes a whole freaking **** overnight.

So there's that.
And I believe there is a tooth or a couple of teeth missing or chipped on the kicker....sometimes she skips bad.

What I would like to do is pull the tranny this winter....and give her a whole rebuild of the guts and any/all parts that wear.

Any input on what parts I should make sure to replace...
 
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2015 | 09:27 AM
  #2  
panz4ever's Avatar
panz4ever
Seasoned HDF Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,499
Likes: 3,717
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Default

Not cheap by any means but definitely quality stuff is Andrews gear sets. Used Andrews gears for my 49EL and never looked back.

And another idea (not cheap either) Baker Klassic Kicker gears

http://bakerdrivetrain.com/klassic-kicker-gears
 

Last edited by panz4ever; Aug 31, 2015 at 09:57 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2015 | 09:53 AM
  #3  
humbuster's Avatar
humbuster
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Wink

I thought this was a Catlin/Bruce thread.
 
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2015 | 10:08 AM
  #4  
johnjzjz's Avatar
johnjzjz
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 5,449
From: la la land jerzey
Default

a few special tools to be used and some hands on experience needed as to whats usable and whats not - new or used that said if you have never done it before its not impossible but it is daunting
 
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2015 | 10:58 AM
  #5  
TwiZted Biker's Avatar
TwiZted Biker
Club Member
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,125
Likes: 51,441
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Default

Definitely do the close ratio gear set if you choose to go that route , tightening the gap between 2nd & 3rd will make you a happy camper for around town riding. The kicker issue is going to be a bushing is shot and possibly the rachet teeth are a bit rounded, best to keep OEM parts if you can the aftermarket replacement stuff is crud anymore.

Safe bet the bushing in the main drive gear is gone so check the main shaft closely for wear in that that area. Bush is easy to replace but needs a 1" reamer or hone to size it correctly, local indy shop or some the old school guys you know will have this it's pretty standard tool box stuff for anyone into them.

Andrews would the first choice but I've had very good luck with the house brands from Mid Usa and Midwest cycles ( Jireh's stuff is Midwest's catalogue) and prices would be about half Andrews.
 
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2015 | 11:53 AM
  #6  
YeOldeStonecat's Avatar
YeOldeStonecat
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12,227
Likes: 7,803
From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
Default

Thanks all so far...

I'll keep this a long thread....figure towards the holidays I'll just get the bike up on the lift and pull the trans...and start posting pics here in this thread. Got all winter to rebuild it. Time to really get it cleaned up down there...sick of all that constant oil coating everything it's really soaking wet.
 
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2015 | 12:10 PM
  #7  
TwiZted Biker's Avatar
TwiZted Biker
Club Member
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,125
Likes: 51,441
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Default

You'll of course be looking at shifting forks & dogs and all the brass bushings those being the common wear items. Next will be all the lead in ramps on the gears themselves if you decide to keep the OEM gearset. Biggest issue with the cowpie trannies were the exterior shifting linkage was a goofy design and wore out quick, up side is there's all steel replacement arms available to cure those ill's.
 
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2015 | 01:54 PM
  #8  
YeOldeStonecat's Avatar
YeOldeStonecat
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12,227
Likes: 7,803
From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
Default

It's the long haul reliability I'm shootin' for. My back has been doing OK lately...so the past month or so been running her hard on longer runs. Put a couple of back to back 5 hours runs in this past weekend. I'm at that point....either get another bike like an Evo for some longer hauls with bigger pack of buds....or shove some money and elbow grease into this one. Kinda leaning towards working this one up after this past weekend...seen kajillions of twinkies and bunches of Evos out...but only saw 3 other Shovels out...and those lead to fun handshakes and talk and more beers.

Wantin to do a run to White Mountains New Hampshire this fall...won't have time to rebuild tranny by then....but still..just want feeling of good longer haul reliability. Time to really focus on the parts that have worn..and replace 'em before they fail.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 31, 2015 | 02:00 PM
  #9  
TwiZted Biker's Avatar
TwiZted Biker
Club Member
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,125
Likes: 51,441
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Default

The old 4's are pretty simple, easy to R&R and damn durable. I'm kinda in the same boat got the feelers out for a late FXR or FXRT that hasn't been SOA'ed to hell and gone yet. Love the shovel but the old bones are talking dirty to me nowadays.
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2015 | 12:51 PM
  #10  
pjb's Avatar
pjb
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,008
Likes: 464
Default

you can get a complete RevTech 4 speed with kicker from J&P for a grand.

Are they any good?
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:42 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE