1966 Ratchet Top?
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1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
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1966 Ratchet Top?
I am building up a 1966 basket case FLH. The baskets include everything I need except a 4 speed transmission.
Getting to the point. What year transmissions will bolt into my frame and be compatible with a 1966 primary and final drive? What would it take to modify either my motorcycle or other 4 speed to fit?
Thanks in advance.
TK
Getting to the point. What year transmissions will bolt into my frame and be compatible with a 1966 primary and final drive? What would it take to modify either my motorcycle or other 4 speed to fit?
Thanks in advance.
TK
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,854
Likes: 20
From: Eagle River WI
RE: 1966 Ratchet Top?
Any of the 4 speed tranys will work Just make sure you replace the trans main shaft go to the mid shaft 12in long if you plan to run the stock primary If you go to belt style primary you with a little ingenuity can just about run any style 4 speed trany or even a 5 speed in a 4 speed case That is an open style belt drive primary
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 31
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RE: 1966 Ratchet Top?
FX and FL ratchet tops have different shift drums and shift oppositely, different linkage too. Transmission gear ratios also different. Know what you're buying.
Don't know if you got the clutch drum/ring gear assy and primary drive stuff in your baskets, they're special too for '65-'69.
Don't know if you got the clutch drum/ring gear assy and primary drive stuff in your baskets, they're special too for '65-'69.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,499
Likes: 3,717
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
RE: 1966 Ratchet Top?
For FL/FLH models (4 speed)
Shifter covers were the same from 52-E79, then switched to the cow pie top.
Transmission housing was the same from 65-E78, changed L78-E79, changed L79 and again in 80
Mainshaft changes went from 65-69, 70-E80, and L80-E84
Shifter cams were the same from 52-E79
A little more difficult are FX mnodels. There are 7 different tranny housing listed from 71-84 depending on year and models (but you can subtract two becuase those are painted instead of bare finish).
Shifter cover seems to conform to the same as FL models
Shifter cam went from 71-75, 75-79.
I do not know if you can take a FX tranny as a unit and put it in a FL set up. I have seen guys take a FL tranny as a unit (including cow pie tops) and dump them in a pan/early shovel.
Shifter covers were the same from 52-E79, then switched to the cow pie top.
Transmission housing was the same from 65-E78, changed L78-E79, changed L79 and again in 80
Mainshaft changes went from 65-69, 70-E80, and L80-E84
Shifter cams were the same from 52-E79
A little more difficult are FX mnodels. There are 7 different tranny housing listed from 71-84 depending on year and models (but you can subtract two becuase those are painted instead of bare finish).
Shifter cover seems to conform to the same as FL models
Shifter cam went from 71-75, 75-79.
I do not know if you can take a FX tranny as a unit and put it in a FL set up. I have seen guys take a FL tranny as a unit (including cow pie tops) and dump them in a pan/early shovel.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
RE: 1966 Ratchet Top?
The shifter drum inside the ratchet top is different for FX/FL. Hold them against one another and you'll see they're a mirror image of each other. Some of the later castones even have FX or FL cast right into them, but not all.The early shifter drumswere made of a piece of rolled steel and are all FL.
If yousimply try and to reverse the shift linkage to the six o'clock positionand put an FX trans in that FL it will shift backwards, ie; 1 up, 3 down.
FX gear ratios are closer and "quicker"than FL's, reflecting the lighter weight and way the FX style was expected to be ridden. Fourth gear is still 1:1 in either style.
If it's your only ride I suppose you'd get used to it.
If yousimply try and to reverse the shift linkage to the six o'clock positionand put an FX trans in that FL it will shift backwards, ie; 1 up, 3 down.
FX gear ratios are closer and "quicker"than FL's, reflecting the lighter weight and way the FX style was expected to be ridden. Fourth gear is still 1:1 in either style.
If it's your only ride I suppose you'd get used to it.
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