Fitted a stage 1, now want a 6th gear!!!

[Adam 105th sportster]

I have had a stage 1 setup fitted for about 2 months now and to say it transforms the bike is an understatement. Simple overtaking is no longer full of thoughts of "Will I make it", I know it will and it sounds awesome on the overun / decelleration as it does through the gears. Thing is round london and surbubia it's perfect but as soon as I get it into 5th on the 4 junction motorway ride home I'm wanting another gear to play with the extra power. Anyone else noticed this or should I just relax & enjoy the scenery!

[grbrown]

Adam,

You're likely to get two different responses to that question. At present you have significantly improved top-gear acceleration. If you increase overall gearing, or introduce an extra gear, you will effectively detune your bike!

To illustrate the point I have reduced gearing on my Dyna, by replacing the 25T crank sprocket with a 21T. That increases rear wheel torque by 19%, for minimal outlay. Top gear acceleration is great!

On the other hand, I now have an S&S 107 in my Glide, with the same gearing as the original Evo. You won't be surprised to learn that as for the Dyna, top gear (and all other gears) performance is transformed!

Which is a long-winded way of saying don't kill it, but enjoy your improved performance. Before long it will be 'normal', rest assured!

[Troy]

6...

and I moan about 4 gears...

[Adam 105th sportster]

Graham, good points there mate. I know it's not allowed but hitting a ton on the way home when the M25 is clear enough I just wish I had that extra gear to take it another 15 mph (as long as I could hold on with the wind!!) but I'd hate to loose the in/out traffic response it has at the moment with an overall ratio change.

I think your right to say enjoy what it gives as it is for fear of loosing the gain used the majority of the time.

[grbrown]

Originally Posted by Adam 105th sportster

Graham, good points there mate. I know it's not allowed but hitting a ton on the way home when the M25 is clear enough I just wish I had that extra gear to take it another 15 mph (as long as I could hold on with the wind!!) but I'd hate to loose the in/out traffic response it has at the moment with an overall ratio change.

I think your right to say enjoy what it gives as it is for fear of loosing the gain used the majority of the time.

Adam,

One reason for changing the gearing on the Dyna is that original gearing in top gave a theoretical 140mph at peak rpm. Plainly impossible, as the bike doesn't produce enough power (it has only basic Stage 1 mods). It is now geared for around 118mph, which is much more sensible.

All Harleys are way over-geared, primarily to reduce noise levels to meet emissions laws and the latest factory 6-speed boxes are part of that. So it is easy to be lured into such things, or achieving that very slow engine speed when cruisin', but it kills performance!

Once upon a time bikes were geared to just about reach peak engine speed as they ran out of puff. Unfortunately noise regulations have got us out of the habit of revving engines 'properly'!

Far be it for me to suggest you see how close to peak rpm your bike will go in top gear. If it achieves it with ease there is a case to revise your gearing.....

[grbrown]

Originally Posted by Troy

6...

and I moan about 4 gears...

Modern life is all about excess! I remember when 3 was adequate....

[Adam 105th sportster]

An interesting experiment for a sunny day! I'll get a spare rev counter hooked up and check it out as although it 'sounds' like the engine is revving I may well be 1000 rpm shy of peak power. But with a light bike like a sportster would 1st gear not almost become redundant with a final ratio change? I guess it's a suck it n see thing eh.

[Hawkeye]

Another point to remeber about gearing up is that you will lose the tractability around town as all the gears will go up a notch. I did it on my Sportster but then i rarley went into london, the time i went to Brighton in September the ride through the outskirts with all the cars creeping along was heavy on the clutch hand.

Remember the Goldies, 70mph in first with a RRT2 box, a right bastid in traffic.