after a little work
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
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From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Electric only. '79 was a transition year from 74 to 80ci and I've read that the kicker was dropped as an option after '78 on the FXEF (not sure about that). I was debating a bolt on kit but clearance issue with the rear pipe nixed that for now. Maybe in the future ??
It would be nice to have another gear in the tranny for highway cruising. Looked at getting a 5 speed in a 4 speed box but they're not given them away either.
It would be nice to have another gear in the tranny for highway cruising. Looked at getting a 5 speed in a 4 speed box but they're not given them away either.
For the money put in a close ratio gear set for the shovel you can get them under $400 , a 2:44 1st and it closed up the gap between 2nd & 3rd for better stop light riding .
Yeah V-twins I play with the gearing & sprockets on these old beasts all the time , you can do a lot without big bucks output .
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Sep 25, 2013 at 11:21 PM.
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Novice
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 18
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From: Tennessee U.S.A.
Appreciate the info. I wasn't aware the final drive was still a 1:1 ratio on the 5 speed (yeah, I know, ASSUME). I know you can play around with the sprockets a bit to get a little more out of the top end and drop the rev's.
Must be an early '79, she's a 74ci also but with electronic ignition (flyweight style).
One question for you guys....At some point a previous owner put a belt on the primary, the case is stock (non-vented) I heard this could cause grief with overheating (the belt that is), doesn't seem to be a problem so far...any input?
Must be an early '79, she's a 74ci also but with electronic ignition (flyweight style).
One question for you guys....At some point a previous owner put a belt on the primary, the case is stock (non-vented) I heard this could cause grief with overheating (the belt that is), doesn't seem to be a problem so far...any input?
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,396
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Appreciate the info. I wasn't aware the final drive was still a 1:1 ratio on the 5 speed (yeah, I know, ASSUME). I know you can play around with the sprockets a bit to get a little more out of the top end and drop the rev's.
Must be an early '79, she's a 74ci also but with electronic ignition (flyweight style).
One question for you guys....At some point a previous owner put a belt on the primary, the case is stock (non-vented) I heard this could cause grief with overheating (the belt that is), doesn't seem to be a problem so far...any input?
Must be an early '79, she's a 74ci also but with electronic ignition (flyweight style).
One question for you guys....At some point a previous owner put a belt on the primary, the case is stock (non-vented) I heard this could cause grief with overheating (the belt that is), doesn't seem to be a problem so far...any input?
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,396
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Appreciate the info. I wasn't aware the final drive was still a 1:1 ratio on the 5 speed (yeah, I know, ASSUME). I know you can play around with the sprockets a bit to get a little more out of the top end and drop the rev's.
Must be an early '79, she's a 74ci also but with electronic ignition (flyweight style).
One question for you guys....At some point a previous owner put a belt on the primary, the case is stock (non-vented) I heard this could cause grief with overheating (the belt that is), doesn't seem to be a problem so far...any input?
Must be an early '79, she's a 74ci also but with electronic ignition (flyweight style).
One question for you guys....At some point a previous owner put a belt on the primary, the case is stock (non-vented) I heard this could cause grief with overheating (the belt that is), doesn't seem to be a problem so far...any input?
What I do with them if you don't have the louvered derby & inspection cover is pull those 2 and space them out about 1/4" or so away from the primary , gives you a fair gap for air circulation . The 8mm thin belts are more prone to heat shredding , the bigger 11 & 14mm hold up better .
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
5 in a 4 tranny in a shovel is a waste of money you don't gain anything final ratio is still 1-1 on both there isn't any overdrive like most believe , only thing the 5 does is close up 1st through 3rd so your shifting a lot more on low end you run out of gear quick
5 speed gives you a lot more to play with...3.21 first gear vs 2.44 or 2.60 lets you drop the rear gearing without losing low end grunt, plus closer ratio between shifts...and they just plain shift better...I would never run a 4 speed again. Get a 5 speed in a 4 speed case, and you can pick up 5 speed gearset on ebay cheap...and build one for a reasonable price.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/S-S-5-INTO-4...ba24ef&vxp=mtr
Last edited by Tom84FXST; Sep 29, 2013 at 01:33 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,396
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
5 speed gives you a lot more to play with...3.21 first gear vs 2.44 or 2.60 lets you drop the rear gearing without losing low end grunt, plus closer ratio between shifts...and they just plain shift better...I would never run a 4 speed again. Get a 5 speed in a 4 speed case, and you can pick up 5 speed gearset on ebay cheap...and build one for a reasonable price.
The big reason Harley went to the 5 with the lower closed ratios is they dropped the flywheel weight by almost 1/2 so the lower end torque was not there they used gearing to make it up . Shifting issues on a shovel is usually in the linkage which is loose as a border ***** on a good day , weak springs in the ratchet drum and the clutch dragging from being dirty and not set up & adjusted right , combined that does make shifting a bitch and you ain't finding neutral . Why the 5 seems better is all that has been taken care of with a better designed clutch system and a real short throw on the linkage .
I ran a couple shovels FXR's with the 5's , maybe it's personal choice but I like my 4's better for what I do with them but them again I have about twice the motor most have so constant shifting to find the power band isn't needed .
I've dealt with those cheap 5 gear sets most are Rev Tech junk , noisy and just as harsh if not more so than the 4's and a damn site more flimsy they will not put up the beating the old ones have .
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Sep 29, 2013 at 01:49 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-Harley-...519694&vxp=mtr
Last edited by Tom84FXST; Sep 29, 2013 at 02:17 PM.
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,396
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Exactly what I am talking about...more gears come in handy when you have less motor..which most shovel owners do. And I was talking about picking up a used harley gear-set, that some one pulled out to install a 6 speed...dime a dozen on ebay...rev tech is evil...lol. And if you get a pre 88 set-up you can still use the 4 speed clutch
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-Harley-...519694&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-Harley-...519694&vxp=mtr
Been entertaining tweaking & tuning it out the front end will stay on the ground now and I never get out of second around town it's got LONG legs and power band in that range and well you just can't help but grin at the sound doing that .
Novice
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 24
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From: Michagon
Yeap 5 speed is 1:1 in 5th just like a 4 speed is 1:1 in 4th but as much as I like 4 speeds a 5 speed will work great for the right bike!
If you have a underpowered shovelhead! (there are lots of them out there!) or a FLH , ride 2 up alot A 5 speed will take off better and get you to speed better!
If you have a striped down bike and ride solo 4 speeds work great!
On the belt drive......... if your set up runs the bearing between the clutch and motor pulley that set up will ware the belt out much faster than the other type! most 11mm set-up's are that way! vent the belt good and it will work great for a long time!
The best reason to run a belt is no oil to leak out!!!!! also if you run a HD 4 speed you know it is very loud and sounds like it is about to brake! the belt will not shock the trans as hard and it will quiet down and shift smoother! it is a big difference IMO
If you have a underpowered shovelhead! (there are lots of them out there!) or a FLH , ride 2 up alot A 5 speed will take off better and get you to speed better!
If you have a striped down bike and ride solo 4 speeds work great!
On the belt drive......... if your set up runs the bearing between the clutch and motor pulley that set up will ware the belt out much faster than the other type! most 11mm set-up's are that way! vent the belt good and it will work great for a long time!
The best reason to run a belt is no oil to leak out!!!!! also if you run a HD 4 speed you know it is very loud and sounds like it is about to brake! the belt will not shock the trans as hard and it will quiet down and shift smoother! it is a big difference IMO