Rigid_EVO ^ Baker Speed Kit For Sportsters? Other Solutions

[FiftySixer]

Greetings fellow forum members.

Just got a new toolbox, and bike lift so I'm excited about being able to start doing my own bike maintenance soon.

Question: back some time ago, Baker 6 Speed in a Sportster was the absolute shit. Are they still available? Who sells them and what do they cost?

So at a normal rpm what can you expect as far as a higher cruising speed?

I don't know what the cruising speed was on the sixth gear but I'm assuming that it was quite high and put no extra stress on the bike s engine.

Is there anything comparable or better than that available?

Once I'm done with the bike, I'd like to know I can go really fast on those long highway=ways without stressing the motor even a little bit.

[sportsterpaul]

Baker is the manufacturer of their 6-speed. The demand for it fell off and production ceased. If enough people showed interest it might make a comeback but I’m guessing it’s unlikely.

[t120r]

I bought a blown Baker 6 speed from Marketplace a few months ago. I just got it disassembled so I can see what it takes to reassemble it. When I contact them for parts, I can ask if they will sell the pieces individually to make your own if you want.

[sportsterpaul]

They’re a couple hours from me in mid-State Michigan. It’s worth a try as I don’t know what they might have on hand.

[FiftySixer]

Thanks SportsterPaul,

for the replies to this thread.

Yep, this lets me know that I'm getting old. Man back in the day to me it doesn't seem so long ago, but you could still get them 15 years ago.

I finally got an email back from one of their sales reps and they said they don't make them anymore, Too bad. The idea of the engine running at a low tick and your hauling ass putting no stress on the engine sounded like nirvana.

But even though I don't feel like I have one foot in the grave just yet, at 66 years old I guess "all my dreams are dying"!!!!! Lol more like cry out loud.

Do you know if there is anyone out there offering anything like that for a 2001 Sportster

Thanks again for the reply.

Best regards,

FiftySixer

[FiftySixer]

Found a beautiful kit by Jims but doesn't fit my bike. Even if it did fit my bike its almost $2000

[Tomcatt]

Originally Posted by FiftySixer

...I'd like to know I can go really fast on those long highway=ways without stressing the motor even a little bit...

If the goal is dropping your revs runnin' down the road you can just run a bigger front belt sprocket along with 1200 primary gearing.

[Toejam503]

You may have to settle for 1200 38 tooth engine sprocket and Primary chain. I've never had mine higher than 117mph but there still seemed to be more throttle.

[FiftySixer]

Thanks: ToeJam503 & Tomcatt,

The bike is a stock 2001 XL883 Custom.

Is a 38 tooth sprocket a stock sprocket for a 2001 1200?

I'll eventually get the 1250 big bore kit on it with all the other goodies I have just sitting in boxes. But the way things are going its probably going to live a year or so longer as an 883.

I had considered changing the front belt drive sprocket for the stock 1200 one.

I forgot the tooth count between a stock 883 & a 1200?

If I go for a higher front gear than the stock 1200 how much will it affect its pickup?

Thanks for all the support guys I appreciate it.

[aswracing]

Originally Posted by FiftySixer

Thanks: ToeJam503 & Tomcatt,

The bike is a stock 2001 XL883 Custom.

Is a 38 tooth sprocket a stock sprocket for a 2001 1200?

I'll eventually get the 1250 big bore kit on it with all the other goodies I have just sitting in boxes. But the way things are going its probably going to live a year or so longer as an 883.

I had considered changing the front belt drive sprocket for the stock 1200 one.

I forgot the tooth count between a stock 883 & a 1200?

If I go for a higher front gear than the stock 1200 how much will it affect its pickup?

Thanks for all the support guys I appreciate it.

On a 2001 model, the stock primary is 35T front, 56T clutch basket, on both the 883 and 1200.

It wasn't until 2004 that 883's and 1200's started getting different primary gearing. From 2004 on, XL1200's got a 38/57 primary, and 883's got a 34/57 primary. Also, XR1200's got the 34/57 primary, and a fancier chain.

The 38/57 primary uses a 96 link primary chain (part number 40147-04), where your stock primary and the 34/57 primary both use a 94 link chain (part number 40005-57B).

If you mix the 38T front primary sprocket with the 56T clutch basket, you will need the 96 link chain to go with it. Your chain adjuster will be near the limit of it's travel, but it works.

In either case, if having the adjuster wound up all the way bugs you, you can always get a 57T clutch basket. It fits your bike fine.

Same situation when you mix the 34T front with with the 56T clutch basket, you'll use the 94 link chain and the adjuster will be near the limit of it's adjustment, but it works.

As far as the final drive goes, 883's of your generation used a 27T front pulley, where 1200's used a 29T front pulley. Aftermarket pulleys are also available in sizes ranging from 26T to 31T.

Both the 883 and 1200 used a 61T rear pulley, in your generation of bike.

More info here: http://www.hammerperf.com/883conversions.shtml#faq9