i have a question. Riding back from Daytona yesterday I got to looking at the RPM's at different speeds. At 70 MPH - the RPM's were 2500 - at 80 The RPM's were 2700 85 the RPM's got to 3000. Now the question - if the 6 speed was supposed to reduce RPM's - has it?
I had a 1997 RoadKing - I did not have a tach - so The question is for all you folks who know about this stuff
I am about to take it to the dealer for the 5,000 mile deal and do some complaining 1. about the heat 2. The IDS system 3. RPM's and 4. The fuel mileage........
__________________ FREEDOM is NEVER FREE - GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.
2007 Ultra Classic
Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
Simple question and answer..
If your 6th gear is an Over-drive which is usually .86 to 1 it is lowering your cruise RPM's..
If your 6th gear is a standard 1 to 1 like all 5 spd and 4 spd's then it is not lowering the over-all RPM's..
A bud told me just recently that HD has a 6 spd that is just 1 to 1,,, instead of an OD.. Up to that moment I always thought that all 6 spd's are an OD but apparently not..
Some time ago I mentioned here that one way to get some of the benefits of lower RPM's while cruising is to use a very low 1st gear to have take-off power and then lower the final drive gear ratio with sprocket/pulley changes.. That's why I have no lugging or detonation in the shovel at initial take-off.. I keep my RPM's up thru the gears, then settle down to cruise in easy RPM's in 4th gear because I run a 3.12 final drive ratio.. It's kind of a poor mans OD..
__________________ "Fill your hands you son of a bitch"
Rooster Cogburn
Well - I guess I am a dummy then because I thought the whole purpose of a 6th speed was the overdrive function to lower RPM - so - now I get the picture - the MOCO comes up with a half-a$$ed 6 speed - that creates - clatter and other things - doesn't lower the RPM's which logically would make the engine last longer????? Man I must have this whole thing just plain wrong........gee I am no engineer but .....
__________________ FREEDOM is NEVER FREE - GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.
2007 Ultra Classic
Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
Texan, am I missing something here?
My five speed turns 3000rpm at 70mph. Your six speed turns 2500rpm at 70mph. That's a reduction in rpm....isn't it?
__________________ "Is there finally and really anything to life other than food, $hit and sex?" Bubba HoTep
well yes it is.... sorry I wasn't clearer - bigger is better in this case - right? I would think that it would have been less than that - say 2200 or 2000.... that was all I was saying. I am getting terrible gas mileage and with gas going to $4.00 + I think I am going to go to the Baker's website and see what their RPM's are - I might be all wet here - heck I don't know - I live in Florida.
__________________ FREEDOM is NEVER FREE - GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.
2007 Ultra Classic
Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
Talked to Baker - said it was about right for what I had....said if I really wanted really accurate numbers - I would have to do all this engineering stuff... ride and have fun -I think that is what it's all about - right..
__________________ FREEDOM is NEVER FREE - GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.
2007 Ultra Classic
Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
Perhaps your OD is .83 to 1.. Not much engineering there..
Frisco-rigid
You're right on the math here. But, getting back to the issue of a 1:1 ratio on a 6 speed trans not (?) providing an Over-Drive...there seems to be a little (?) more of that "engineering-stuff" involved...kind of the the way you came up with your " poor-man's-overdrive" except for HD making-up the difference with crank/clutch sprockets,in those models, and/or Baker via the trans sprocket provided with one of their 6 speed trans...or, at least that's my understanding of it, anyhow.
__________________ "If at first you don't succeed, try again...then swear"
Mark Twain
This is what i like about these forums - you learn a lot of things. I think at some point the MOCO will get it right. That being said - thanks for the help - I am not going to worry about it but now as I walked out the door this morning - I have an oil leak.......so tonight starts the search.
__________________ FREEDOM is NEVER FREE - GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.
2007 Ultra Classic
Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
RPM's 
Linear Mode
