6 speed upgrade vs new bike

I have a 2001 Softail Standard that I've done a lot of customizing on. I've also ridden it a lot - 56,000 miles on it now. I really want a 6 speed transmission and I can't decide if I should upgrade my current tranny or buy a new Harley that comes with a 6 speed.

Does anyone have any experience with putting the 6 speed guts in a stock transmission? What are your thoughts on doing this with the mileage I have on my bike?

It runs great (other than I need another gear), but I'm afraid that as soon as I do something expensive to the drive train like this it's going to die on me. I also know that the used bike market sucks and I'll never get out of it what it's worth to me. And I have a carburetor which I love. I don't think they even make them with carbs anymore. I think I've just talked myself out of a new bike, but I'd still like to know about experiences with putting the extra gear in my transmission.

talking with others I would (assuming that you haven't touched your eng. yet)go with an after market upgrade to the 6 speed and throw an over haul at it in the process ifen ya like the bike ya got. then you can bore it to a 95. or go great guns and build your own monster.

I was thinking of something similar - more radical changes/improvements on the bike. Now to find someone I trust - and to wait until the end of the season. Can't start it now and lose valuable riding time.

not sure any more

i'm allways wishing i had another gear, but i've heard you can't really use the sixth gear until around 75 and faster. is this true. if so would it really be worth the expense?

i already made my mind up, i am putting a revtec 6 speed gearset in my stock 5 speed case. my buddy did it on his 96 eglide, talk about sweeet!!!!
i am just waiting for the funds to come in. just got to many coals in the fire right now. pick and choose pick and choose.......

TRG

If your doing alot of long distance riding above 75mph, it's worth the money. If not, I'd put the money in the engine. Rev Tech is made in China. I here the workers making Nike shoes assmeble the Rev Techs on their breaks. If your set on a 6 speed, go with a Baker. Made in USA and is know as the leader in 6 speeds.

Hotroadking - I've done the downloads with the Power Commander on my ex's Road King. It is a walk in the park. I just love the sound of my slow idle. Stupid probably, but it just makes me feel good (how many women do you know who would say that )

I don't understand why you couldn't use it until you got to 75. I keep trying to hit another gear at around 55 or 60. If the new gearing made it to where I didn't feel the need until 75, then that's fine. I could live with that and wouldn't feel like it's a waste.

Do they make different sized sprockets (or whatever they're called on a belt drive) for belt drives? I'll have to look that up.

Thank guys.

I know on a heavier bike like an Electra Glide, the motor wasn't really fond of grabbing a handful of throttle @ under 2300 RPM...about 55 ? [my speedo is metric]. I don't know what the B motors are like but any Harley I ever had EVO or TC really liked to be spinning at 3200 RPM. I wouldn't bother with a 6 speed unless I spent most of my time riding faster than 75.

i traided in my 05 classic which was great.i have a 07 and would never go back to the 5 speeds again.the 96 motor is also a plus.my 05 ran 72mph at 3000rpm/the 07 runs 3000rpm at 83mph,i usually cruise around 3k rpm
keep the old bike and just get a new one
when i traded in the 05 i liked the trade-in value i got
whatever u decide you cant go wrong
i can hit 6th gear around 65 and maintain that speed uphills etc.no lulling,harley wouldnt endore useing it at speeds above speed limits so i wouldnt put to much thought into guys saying you need excess of 70 to use.
also the oil pressure it the 07 are just a blessed increase in what my 05 had.always above 20psi at idle in temps above 80,it hasnt gotten hot hear yet

Keep in mind the 07's and the 06 Dyna's are set up different than the TC88's. The 07's were bumped up to 96 cubes by increasing the lenght of the stroke, resulting in more torque and horsepower. When they went to the 6 speed trans, they also changed the size on the primary drive sprockets. The combination of these two changes results in lower rpms at higher speeds. The increased torque and HP allows the 6th gear to be used at a slightly lower speed on the 07's.

The performance characteristics of a TC88 will not be the same as the new bikes by just changing from a 5 to 6 speed tranny. Even on the HD web site, they promote the performace of the 6th gear at 75mph. I have rode bikes with both the TC88A and B engines. One thing I did notice is that the TC88B is a lot smoother at high rpms and I didn't have the feeling of needing another gear to smooth it out. So it really comes down to personal preference and the type of riding you do.

With idle speed, the TC88 needs at a minimum 750 rpms at idle to properly lube the engine. I have had mine set at 850 since I bought the bike in 02 and have not had any problems. Oil pressure at idle is 20 psi and 32-34 at cruising speeds.

I put the Harley gearset in my 97 FLHTCUI last year and consider it the best mod I've ever done on a bike. The sixth gear makes for comfortable cruising at 70-75 where the 5 speed compared at 65-70 at appoximately 3000 rpm. 6 is a true overdrive so downshifts are necessary on hills etc.

At about $2300 it wasn't cheap. The install was straight forward with the kit having all the necessary parts. You do have to grind the right side of the transmission case to make room for the shifter shaft. A template is provided and I did that work with a die grinder. It's a complete teardown of the primary case but after that the geaset just slides out and the new one slides in.

The kit includes the updated shift drum that provides for much more postiive shifts, including into nuetral, a benefit in itself.

Colin, Nice to hear from someone who has basically the same bike as mine. My tranny has been a dream for going on 9 years and 60K miles. It just works perfectly. The engine on the other hand..... well.. all I can say is that it has never left me stranded.

But, I was wondering.. and I'm asking everyone here... instead of adding 6th gear and going through all that expense and aggravation, has anyone tried just changing the primary ratio? I was thinking that would shift the RPM vs speed down and only affect first gear take off. Considering that new trannys with 6th gear have a taller first gear anyway this could work

Has anyone ever tried this??

You can change the primary ratio, just not sure how much it will lower the rpm with a 5 speed. When HD went to the 6 speed tranny, they also changed the primary ratio to get to the lower rpm number they wanted.

noises

I guess I am just not as hip to things as I should be. Either that or my 6 speed is exceptional. I don't hear much in the way of noise. Or maybe all those years of riding pans and shovels just make this seem quiet. Same with the clutch. I hear a lot of people talk about how "stiff" the clutches are.....hey after moustraps and mouse trap eliminaters...it feels like butter.....lol
and I usually dont hit 6 until I am running in the "Oh s&*T I hope he didn't clock me range"

Ride Free........