| Author | Message | ||
     Kalsc |
Me again, I've read where people have made changes to their transmissions to have a 6th gear. Does anyone have any information on this and how it was done? | ||
| 34nineteen |
I think Baker discontinued all of their Sportster 6 speed transmission stuff awhile back. | ||
| Victory |
Luxury item. Waste of money. Etc. Its not needed. Baker Smooth Shift Drum....well Im sure it was worth the money. I dont have it and dont need one. If your motor is good you can freeway cruise at 80mph around 4 grand for 5 hours. I failed to see many riders doing that but totally doable on the X1. Nothing is going to prevent tightening up the top end later. | ||
| Kalsc |
Thanks again for the feedback, I'd forgotten it was Baker. While I appreciate the personal feedback and opinions, my motivations for such mods are different than most. Kind regards. | ||
| Kc_zombie |
The Baker kits show up on eBay from time to time... | ||
| Redridergr |
Sounds like you are looking for taller gears... or do ya just like shifting more? I swapped in a primary set up from an xb. If I remember correctly, only the crank sprocket is bigger, one tooth? So need a longer chain also. | ||
| Ratbuell |
...Or you could simply change your final drive pullies... | ||
| Redridergr |
Ratbuell, please post your source for the different final drive bullies.... Most of all, the different belt sizes! | ||
| Ratbuell |
I'd have to do some digging, but a stock setup from an S2 will net you much taller overall final drive compared to the stock setup in an S1W. I swapped an S1W rear pulley onto my S2 ages ago to see how I liked it...didn't fit the bike's personality so I went back (much like putting a 9 primary into my Ulysses - neat for a little bit, but ultimately I went back to the taller 12 primary because while the acceleration of the 9 setup was nice...I liked the longer highway legs of the 12 setup). | ||
| Upthemaiden |
From what I remember, the European model of S1 also came with slightly taller gearing. You could look online and see if you could find what size pulleys and belts they used. | ||
| Conv90 |
I liked the idea of a 6 speed ONLY because the 6th gear is an Overdrive. So you will end with a 5 speed geared bike (good with a FUN short 61 rear and a 27 front) but with the opportunity to lower rpm when cruising. Switching to a bigger front pulley and small rear pulley will make the gearing too tall on ALL gears. I liked the idea for my sportster 4 speed that has so much torque that I search always for an imaginary 5th and even 6th and if possible 7th!! LOL But obviously the Baker was only for 5 speed sportster/buell. (Message edited by Conv90 on March 06, 2023) | ||
| Upthemaiden |
Did the Baker 5 speed stretch the ratios out at all, or was it still comparable to the stock tuber gearing? I agree about the 6th gear being a plus. Adjusting the final drive ratio is cheaper and easier, but I know I don't want to sacrifice my 1st gear to make cruising more comfortable. I lost enough torque when I switched back to the stock exhaust. If you were going to go through the process of pulling apart your engine to swap in a 6 speed, you could also consider the option of buying a couple new gears and making the 5th gear a bit taller on your stock transmission and save a few dollars. | ||
| Victory |
lots of riders talked about switching to 29 61 pulleys. this come with a chance to machine the front pulley to lighten it up some and get lower rpm on the freeway. All without a 6 speed. could have done it easy but dont regret not doing it.  | ||
| Captainkirk |
IIRC the Baker 6 speed was stupid-expensive. I did the Baker Easy Shift drum a few years back. There's a thread on it in the Cyclone section. As far as the 6 speed...never saw the need for it. My M2 cruises right in the comfort zone at around 80mph. With the big Andrews N8 cams I prefer to keep R's above 3 grand anyway, but YMMV. (Message edited by captainkirk on April 14, 2023) | ||
| Jayvee |
I got a Baker 6 speed on ebay I think, and Vallejo HD put it in for me. It comes with the Easy Shift drum and a couple other improvements. I think they changed 2nd gear, it's not noticeable. I didn't need it, but came across a good price, it was just there. But commuting to work is really enjoyable, I'm always in 6th. Traffic sort of flows at 80, and thats like 3600 rpm. I love it. The engine's got enough torque to pull the high gear. I almost never go over 4500 rpm, that's just about 100 (impound threshold.) I flew right by a highway patrol sitting beside the road at about 80, he didn't even look up. Nothing to see here... Well, I have the stock muffler too. I highly recommend the Baker, need it or not. | ||
| Firemanjim |
There are a number of available front pulleys--stock S-2 was 29, stock S-1 was 27, aftermarket made a 30 and a 26, and maybe a 28?? I have seen. Euro rear was very different at 55 teeth compared to our 61 tooth,and on an early tuber it needed the euro adjusters as well--ran that on the turbo S-2 at Bonneville before switching to chain drive--and a Baker 6 speed---that was a great transmission! Should still be in the S-2 of mine that went to Don Casto-- |
