Harley Softail
Harley Softail
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 2008 Harley Davidson Softail Models Service Manual  US $12.00
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 BACKREST SISSY BAR FOR HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFTAIL NEW US $79.00
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 1986 1999 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFTAIL SKULL FUEL GAS CAPS US $53.89
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 Braided 8mm spark plug wires for Harley Davidson Softail 2000 Later US $34.95
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 Harley Davidson Sportster Dyna Softail V Rod CHROME SWITCH HOUSINGS US $29.95
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 Harley Davidson Sportster Dyna Softail BILLET BAR END MIRRORS US $19.95
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 Harley Davidson Sportster Dyna Softail CHROME SIGNALS US $17.95
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 Harley Davidson Softail Detach Sissy Bar Pad Luggage US $185.00
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 Sissy Backrest Luggage Rack Harley Davidson Softail US $193.00
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 Sissy Bar Backrest 84 Harley Davidson Softail US $158.00
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 59422 98 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFTAIL STREET STALKER SIDE MOUNT LICENSE PLATE KIT US $40.00
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 Harley Davidson Softail Dyna Electra Glide FORK RIDERS US $8.95
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 LANDMARK BELT GUARD HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFTAIL US $24.00
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 POLISHED 5 or 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION CASE fits 1989 1999 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFTAIL US $330.99
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 Harley Davidson Softail Low Profile Fender Pad 52592 95A US $110.00
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 Brand New Harley Davidson Piston Rear Axle Cover and Adjuster 4818 98A Softail US $44.99
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 Oil Dipstick Temp Gauge Harley Davidson Softail 84 99 XL 82 03 US $30.00
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 Harley Davidson Timer Cover of 07 Heritage Softail Classic US $2.00
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 Sissy Bar Studded Backrest Harley Davidson Softail US $163.00
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 AXLE SPIKES FIT FXR DYNA FLH SOFTAIL HARLEY DAVIDSON US $35.00
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 HARLEY DAVIDSON REVOLVER 10 SPOKE BILLET SOFTAIL REAR SPROCKET 40134 05 US $299.99
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 Harley Davidson Sportster Dyna Softail CHROME SPIKE GRIPS US $29.95
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 Harley Davidson turn tail lens Fits Roadking Softail models US $8.50
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 DuraShield Motorcycle Cover for Harley Davidson Softail Free Shipping A2 US $44.99
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 Hog Trough Down Tube Drink Holder for Harley Davidson Softail Models ST125 US $45.00
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 HARLEY DAVIDSON 2006 SOFTAIL ELECTRICAL FACTORY DIAGNOSTIC MANUAL SHOP USED US $35.99
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 Harley Davidson Chrome Swingarm Pivot Bolt Cvrs Softail US $26.00
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 HARLEY DAVIDSON CHROME REAR WHEEL HUB CAP SOFTAIL US $38.00
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 Harley Davidson Softail Vintage Windshield bag US $20.00
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 11 Square Sissy Bar For Harley Davidson Softail Models US $68.89
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 CHROME SHIFT LINKAGE for Harley Davidson Softail Dyna Glide FX FL Rod Dresser US $24.95
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 Harley Davidson Tool Wheel Bearing Adaptor 07 Softail US $37.50
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 Harley Davidson Softail RallyRunner Leather Seat 54027 04 US $285.00
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 KIT Harley Harley Davidson Softail Deuce FXSTD FXSTDI Deluxe FXSTN FXSTNI FLSTS US $.99
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 HARLEY DAVIDSON 1998 SOFTAIL FACTORY PARTS CATALOG SHOP USED US $28.99
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 HARLEY DAVIDSON 2000 SOFTAIL FACTORY PARTS CATALOG SHOP USED US $29.99
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 HARLEY DAVIDSON 2001 SOFTAIL FACTORY PARTS CATALOG SHOP USED US $29.99
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 NIB Harley Davidson Softail Black Rear Saddlebag Guards Part 49269 02 US $145.00
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 HARLEY DAVIDSONOESOFTAILFLSTFLSTCFLSTF BFAT BOY67891 99 US $30.00
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 Harley Davidson Softail Saddlebag Support Brackets US $28.00
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 Custom Solo Seat for Harley Davidson Softail US $300.00
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 07 Harley Davidson Softail Chrome Lower Belt Guard NEW 60655 07 20mm Deflector US $60.00
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 Harley Davidson Softail Chrome Hubcap Kit US $45.00
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 Harley Davidson FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic Photo US $2.99
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 Harley Davidson Softail Fluted Pivot Bolt Cover US $21.50
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 Harley Davidson Debris Defector 60362 00 Softail US $15.00
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 Harley Davidson Softail Motorcycle Cover by DuraShield Free Shipping A2 US $38.99
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 Harley Davidson Softail and FXDWG Flame Dash Insert NEW 71067 04 Black Silver US $49.95
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 Motorcycle Cover for Harley Softail EZ Pack Large 2Z US $26.99
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 Harley Davidson Softail Badlander Leather Seat 52361 00 US $175.00
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 Harley Davidson Softail Electra Glide CHROME SHIFTERS US $39.95
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 Harley Softail Seat Custom Chopper US $56.99
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 1984 1999 Harley Davidson FL FX Softail CLYMER MANUAL US $22.95
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 NOS OBS HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFTAIL LOW PROFILE FENDER PAD 52592 95A US $90.00
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 1999 2010 Harley Softail Dyna Electra Road King MANUAL US $24.95
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 CHROME HORN COVER for 92 12 Harley Davidson Softail Dyna Glide Big Twin Electra US $24.95
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 1980 1999 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFTAIL CHROME LUGGAGE RACK US $39.82
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 Harley Davidson Softail Slip on Catalyst Mufflers 80420 06 US $301.00
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 NEW NWT Harley Davidson Black 28 Leather Mens Belt w Buckle Softail FXDXT flstc US $14.95
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 HARLEY DAVIDSON BLADE 10 SPOKE BILLET SOFTAIL REAR SPROCKET 40264 06 US $299.99
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 USED HARLEY DAVIDSON BACKREST UPRIGHT AND PAD FOR FX SOFTAIL CHASSIS 2001 2005 US $69.99
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 1993 Harley Davidson Softail Chrome 61t Rear Sprocket Cover NEW 40284 90A US $29.95
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 New In Box Harley Davidson Softail Inner Primary 60620 94B US $200.00
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 Harley Davidson Chrome License Plate Frame Softail Dyna XL Touring FLHRC flstc US $7.95
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 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFTAIL FAT BOY FLSTFI Motorcycle Cover US $64.46
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 Harley Softail Heritage Fatboy Sissy Bar Backrest Back Rest Rack DETACHABLE US $177.50
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 New SuperTrapp 21 System for Harley Davidson Softail Models P N 828 71572 US $429.99
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 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFTAIL FL FX 65 TOOTH SLOTTED CHROME REAR SPROCKET 40056 98 US $165.00
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 Chrome Starter Solenoid Cover Harley Davidson Big Twin 65 86 Softail 84 88 US $21.00
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 SKULL LICENSE PLATE FRAME MOTORCYCLE SPORTSTER DYNA SOFTAIL CUSTOM HARLEY US $21.48
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 NOS OBS HARLEY DAVIDSON DYNA SOFTAIL CHROME CONTROLS US $465.00
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 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFTAIL AIR CLEANER US $35.00
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 HARLEY SOFTAIL FRONT SPOILER 58607 00 2000 LATER KIT 58608 00A US $122.50
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 Harley Davidson Sportster Dyna Softail V Rod Touring Models SWITCH HOUSINGS D7 US $28.99
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 Harley Davidson FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic 99 Card US $2.99
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 BLACK LED KIT FITS HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFTAIL SPORTSTER HD US $99.95
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 BACKREST SISSY BAR RACK FOR HARLEY SOFTAIL FATBOYHERITAGEDELUXE CUSTOM US $79.00
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 3 SKULL CHROME SHIFT LINKAGE for Harley Davidson Softail Dyna Glide FXDWG FLHR US $25.95
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 Harley Davidson Softail OEM Speedometer US $130.00
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 HARLEY LEATHER WINDSHIELD BRA FLSTS HERITAGE SPRINGER SOFTAIL 57816 98 BLACK US $36.99
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Harley-Davidson Transmissions and Alternatives
In 1936, Mother Harley introduced one of the benchmark motorcycles of all time —the OHV 61-cubic-inch EL. This beautifully styled bike is affectionately known as the Knucklehead. What's truly amazing about this bike is the design of the transmission, which remained in service until 1986 — an incredible half-century run with the same basic configuration.
There were, of course, different variationsavailable in the early years, like the standard 4-speed, a 3-speed with reverse for sidecar use, and hand shift or foot shift. The original design was extremely bulletproof. Knuckles and Pans shared the same outer case. The only exception was the introduction of the electric start with the 1965 Pan. The transmission case grew a couple of ears to support the new aluminum inner primary to which the electric start was bolted, and the main shaft in the transmission got a quarter-inch inch longer to accommodate these new goodies.
Things pretty much remained the same until the introduction of the alternator. Adding an alternator affected the transmission. The primary had to be moved out to accommodate the alternator. As a result, the main shaft grew again. These minor changes went on until the demise of the 4-speed in 1986. The biggest complaint about the 4-speed was universal throughout the years — most everybody thought the bike needed another gear.
In 1980, Harley introduced the FLT series motorcycle, a fairly revolutionary bike in Harley history. A rubber-mounted engine with a 5-speed gearbox was the major design change. For many years, riders thought an additional gear in the transmission would be ideal. Harley listened, but what many riders didn't understand is that the final drive ratio of the 4-speed and the 5-speed was the same 1 to 1. Many erroneously believed that the 5th gear was an overdrive. The lower gear ratios in 1st, 2nd, & 3rd allowed the engineers to raise the overall gear ratio to achieve the same off-the-line performance with a higher top speed.
Today's higher road speeds have prompted requests for yet another gear. Harley introduced its 6-speed cruise drive transmission in 2006. The changes in the overall gear ratio are what made this unit a positive upgrade to the Harley gearbox. However, it's not as refined as some of the aftermarket transmissions that are available today. Baker, Jim's Machine, RevTech and Milwaukee Twins all produce overdrive gearboxes. These new transmissions feature a high gear that is .86 to 1 or .80 to 1 — less than the stock 1 to 1, resulting in a reduction in engine rpm at a given speed, or a faster speed at the same rpm.
For example, a mid-'90s Harley Softail would have an overall ratio of 3.36 to 1. This is determined by the number of teeth on each of the gears or pulleys in the primary drive and the secondary drive.
The problem with any overdrive type system is that if you slow down too much in that overdrive gear, the engine can lug when you attempt to accelerate. This can be detrimental to the engine. The solution would be to downshift to accelerate.
An alternative to adding an overdrive is to change the overall ratio of the bike to reduce engine rpm at a given speed. When motorcycles had a chain drive secondary, this was very easy to do. Chains are easy to obtain in various lengths to accommodate the differences a larger or smaller sprocket would require. With the advent of the belt secondary, things got more complicated. Due to the fact that belts are fixed in application we have some serious limitations in what we can do, not to mention removal and reinstallation of all the components.
Baker Drivetrain, one of the leading manufacturers of upgrade solutions to your stock Harley transmission, has an excellent calculator on its website for determining final drive ratios
In summary, using a 6-speed overdrive transmission, or modifying your stock drive ratios are fine ways to lower overall engine rpm. Hopefully we've given you a little history lesson and enough information to understand both Harley and aftermarket transmissions. As always, if you have questions or need assistance, don't hesitate to chat with a J&P technician via Live Chat. Or call our technical support staff at (800) 397-4844.
About the Author
You can find more information and all the motorcycle parts and accessories you need at J&P Cycles. J&P Cycles carries Harley parts, Vintage Harley parts, metric cruiser parts and Gold Wing parts.