Interesting power option......
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
RE: Interesting power option......
ORIGINAL: Harleypaw
I think it was in 2002 (someone correct me if wrong) that the FLH family went to 3.17 gears, you 04 and the 02 should have the same 3.17 gears, 3100rpm at 70mph seems a little high, I'll have to verify it but my 06 SG with the 3.37 gears at 70mph is only at about 3000rpm. The 01 softail I'm not sure about the gear ratio.
I think it was in 2002 (someone correct me if wrong) that the FLH family went to 3.17 gears, you 04 and the 02 should have the same 3.17 gears, 3100rpm at 70mph seems a little high, I'll have to verify it but my 06 SG with the 3.37 gears at 70mph is only at about 3000rpm. The 01 softail I'm not sure about the gear ratio.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
RE: Interesting power option......
ORIGINAL: xxxflhrci
ORIGINAL: Harleypaw
I think it was in 2002 (someone correct me if wrong) that the FLH family went to 3.17 gears, you 04 and the 02 should have the same 3.17 gears, 3100rpm at 70mph seems a little high, I'll have to verify it but my 06 SG with the 3.37 gears at 70mph is only at about 3000rpm. The 01 softail I'm not sure about the gear ratio.
I think it was in 2002 (someone correct me if wrong) that the FLH family went to 3.17 gears, you 04 and the 02 should have the same 3.17 gears, 3100rpm at 70mph seems a little high, I'll have to verify it but my 06 SG with the 3.37 gears at 70mph is only at about 3000rpm. The 01 softail I'm not sure about the gear ratio.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 0
From: NH
RE: Interesting power option......
ORIGINAL: fizzy55
ok let's throw something else out there. could you get close to the same results by just changing the drive pulley on the final drive instead of the primary. it will cost much less and the starter would'nt have to work so hard
ok let's throw something else out there. could you get close to the same results by just changing the drive pulley on the final drive instead of the primary. it will cost much less and the starter would'nt have to work so hard
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,307
Likes: 9,428
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
RE: Interesting power option......
ORIGINAL: denispetit
Yes. The only down size is a possible belt change (if you change dramatic) and speedo would not read correctly.
ORIGINAL: fizzy55
ok let's throw something else out there. could you get close to the same results by just changing the drive pulley on the final drive instead of the primary. it will cost much less and the starter would'nt have to work so hard
ok let's throw something else out there. could you get close to the same results by just changing the drive pulley on the final drive instead of the primary. it will cost much less and the starter would'nt have to work so hard
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Interesting power option......
Agree, the change will give you good acceleration, but you will definitly loose out at the big end. For the riding you say you do, i am sure it is a relitivly inexpensive performance upgrade that makes you happy, that what the bottom line is!
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 678
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Interesting power option......
Not sure if this is a factor or not, but they also changed the rear tire size on the '02 model. I know that the tire on the '02 was a little wider, but could it also be that the '02 and up rear tire is actually not quite as tall as the earlier tires, which is why HD went to the taller gearing? Like I said, I don't know, but it's another thing which needs to be considered when comparing '02 and up HD's to earlier models.
Doug
Doug
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
RE: Interesting power option......
I have installed 3.37 gearing in my last two bikes & it's awesome(both setups are high compression 95 inchers with head work).
I bought the parts from Jenni at Benjy's for around $330, the install is pretty simple & it is WELL worth the trouble. It raises the RPM about 300 at 70 MPH.
~John
I bought the parts from Jenni at Benjy's for around $330, the install is pretty simple & it is WELL worth the trouble. It raises the RPM about 300 at 70 MPH.
~John
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
RE: Interesting power option......
By the way, on the pre 02 bikes it was only the FI models that had 3.37 gearing stock.
~John
~John
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 3
From: TX
RE: Interesting power option......
I'm gonna throw another spin on this topic.
Over the years, I've been involved with and/or raced a bunch of different things (motorcycles, karts, RC Cars, Dirt Cars, Asphalt Cars)at different levels, from local to regional, tonational. I/we always faced a similar quandry. Do you build a motor with kahunas that will pull a numerically lower gear ratio, or do you build one to twist and let it spin up faster. Try as I might, I always got better and more reliable results building "grunt" to pull more gear. If your engine "will pull it", it's gonna be faster than the same engine with a numerically higher gear ratio. I say that with some trepidation, because you have to have a motor with serious torque for this to work. On a "typical" HD, I'm sure it will feel faster if you let it try to spin up faster using the 3.37 vs 3.15.
I do not know where the threshold is or if it's reasonably attainable, but for now I think mine is fine right where it's at.
I will follow this with curiosioty. I know this is a very common mod that is frequently discussed on other forums. Good luck to the "testers"! Do keep us advised!
Over the years, I've been involved with and/or raced a bunch of different things (motorcycles, karts, RC Cars, Dirt Cars, Asphalt Cars)at different levels, from local to regional, tonational. I/we always faced a similar quandry. Do you build a motor with kahunas that will pull a numerically lower gear ratio, or do you build one to twist and let it spin up faster. Try as I might, I always got better and more reliable results building "grunt" to pull more gear. If your engine "will pull it", it's gonna be faster than the same engine with a numerically higher gear ratio. I say that with some trepidation, because you have to have a motor with serious torque for this to work. On a "typical" HD, I'm sure it will feel faster if you let it try to spin up faster using the 3.37 vs 3.15.
I do not know where the threshold is or if it's reasonably attainable, but for now I think mine is fine right where it's at.
I will follow this with curiosioty. I know this is a very common mod that is frequently discussed on other forums. Good luck to the "testers"! Do keep us advised!
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Interesting power option......
One more twist. If the starter drivesoff the clutch end wouldn't the 7% gear reduction in final drive actually have a negitive affect on the starter? This wouldincrease the load on the starter by 7%. Anyone run into starter problems after this mod?