What ratio was used in the FX 4 speed low ratio i ran this on my 71 flh stroker with 3rd 1.35 but cant rember low was-it 2.44 or 2.60 for the FX 1st gear 
Fx shovel 4speed low gear
Fx 4 speed low gear ratio?
-
Hogey
- Member
- Posts: 205
- Joined: Thu May 26, 2022 5:10 am
- Bikes: 2001 fxst 68 shovel
- Location: Victoria
- Has thanked: 304 times
- Been thanked: 83 times
Fx shovel 4speed low gear
What ratio was used in the FX 4 speed low ratio i ran this on my 71 flh stroker with 3rd 1.35 but cant rember low was-it 2.44 or 2.60 for the FX 1st gear -
RooDog
- Senior Member
- Posts: 5327
- Joined: Tue Oct 31, 2017 1:00 pm
- Bikes: 1950 Panhead, Resto-Mod
1968 90", 5 Speed Shovelhead,
1984 Home Built Custom Evo 100" Bagger - Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
- Has thanked: 2801 times
- Been thanked: 2159 times
Re: Fx shovel 4speed low gear
Hogey....
The 2.60 1st gear was an Andrews item. It gave a little better low gear ratio for a heavier, or over cammed bike. It was what I used after I wasn't happy with the FX ratio in my '68 with an Andy B grind cam.
And Fellas....
And just for comparison: The stock 4 speed FL low is 3.00:1, and the fiver has a 3.24:1. The advantage there is that the final drive sprocket ratios can be kicked up for highway cruising without losing the bottom end torque to pull away from a stop. The net result equals a direct drive over drive (DDOD)without the hassle of adding even more gears. WTF is up with 6 or 7 speeds anyway?
....RooDoog....
-
Hogey
- Member
- Posts: 205
- Joined: Thu May 26, 2022 5:10 am
- Bikes: 2001 fxst 68 shovel
- Location: Victoria
- Has thanked: 304 times
- Been thanked: 83 times
Re: Fx shovel 4speed low gear
Roo Dog i ran the 2.44 on my shovel stroker but i use A cam
The new build has 514 lift and A specs. 4 3/4 with 3 1/2 bore. My last build had no issues 2 up and loaded. I get the bit about cams but thi one is a torque motor
The new build has 514 lift and A specs. 4 3/4 with 3 1/2 bore. My last build had no issues 2 up and loaded. I get the bit about cams but thi one is a torque motor
-
Andygears
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1407
- Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2013 12:25 am
- Bikes: 1950 panhead, 1999 FLHTCI, 1987 FLHTC custom
- Location: Daytona Beach
- Has thanked: 447 times
- Been thanked: 651 times
Re: Fx shovel 4speed low gear
I purposely went with a 2.60 first gear on a foot clutch/hand shift on my Pan. With an Andrew’s. B cam and kickstart only, I didn’t want to stall in traffic from a rough idle and not enough throttle to launch.
Roo, As I’ve been told, the 6 & 7 speeds make up for a very narrow powerband (camshaft) and keep emissions, smog and noise, at bay for the EPA. I personally don’t like the idea of an overdrive high gear pushing all the load through the transmission bearings and gears while pounding down the hiway for hours. In a 4 or 5 speed, the main shaft is locked at 1 to 1 and the trans internals are just coasting along in high gear.
Andygears
Roo, As I’ve been told, the 6 & 7 speeds make up for a very narrow powerband (camshaft) and keep emissions, smog and noise, at bay for the EPA. I personally don’t like the idea of an overdrive high gear pushing all the load through the transmission bearings and gears while pounding down the hiway for hours. In a 4 or 5 speed, the main shaft is locked at 1 to 1 and the trans internals are just coasting along in high gear.
Andygears
-
RooDog
- Senior Member
- Posts: 5327
- Joined: Tue Oct 31, 2017 1:00 pm
- Bikes: 1950 Panhead, Resto-Mod
1968 90", 5 Speed Shovelhead,
1984 Home Built Custom Evo 100" Bagger - Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
- Has thanked: 2801 times
- Been thanked: 2159 times
Re: Fx shovel 4speed low gear
You are absolutely correct about the OD gears being loaded, I don't like that either. That is why both Baker, and H-D went to such a large motoe sprocket and DD OD ( direct drive over drive) And now they gave compensator and transmission MDG bearing problems....
Bert Baker did a good thing when he invented the 6-speed for people who didn't understand gear ratios. And as a marketing ploy it certainly worked out well for both him and the MoCo, but was it ever really necessary? I have several friends with mildly built engines who simply replace the rear pulley on their newer bikes from a 70 to a 65 tooth count and were happy with the results. Those of us with 4-speeds did a similar thing by installing 24, 25, and some even went with 26T transmission sprockets. Remember, the MoCo builds for the "average rider", if there is such a thing.
....RD....
Bert Baker did a good thing when he invented the 6-speed for people who didn't understand gear ratios. And as a marketing ploy it certainly worked out well for both him and the MoCo, but was it ever really necessary? I have several friends with mildly built engines who simply replace the rear pulley on their newer bikes from a 70 to a 65 tooth count and were happy with the results. Those of us with 4-speeds did a similar thing by installing 24, 25, and some even went with 26T transmission sprockets. Remember, the MoCo builds for the "average rider", if there is such a thing.
....RD....