4 Speed info

[tara]

thanks dave, another great thread. i m checking my tranny and your thread is very helpfull.

[Bicycle Doctor]

Hi Guys and dolls.
Anyone out there know if a shifter cam assembly from an early 84 -1200(listed as 72-early 84 fitment) will fit an 89 -1200

Cheers from sunny Scotland

[dave76]

Just and update, but I have since found out that the V-Twin shift forks and all the thrust washers and spacers are made in the USA. So the quality should be better then anything made in the orient.

[Bicycle Doctor]

Hi Bud. Yes i buy every thing i can from USA manufacturers! Had a Street Bob recently wi a lot of Taiwanese ill fitting garbage on it and had a go at the stealers about sellin us Brits made in Taiwan Harley branded rubbish they would,nt dare try to sell in USA!
Anyways i got a steel cam follower from Drag Spec and an original complete shifter cam assembly on good ole ebay. Should cure shiftin probs for good!
Many thanks for your time and sound advice. Will.

[benton]

So, Dave76, how's the new 4th gear working for you this past year? Are you happy with it? Would the W first gear be a better option?

I'm ordering new parts because my mainshaft splines and clutch gear splines have worn. (I'm guessing the clutch gear splines are worn, I'm sure the clutch hub splines have and it's on order from HD). I got the impression that many ironhead owners went to the close gearing because 4th was too high.

Has anyone here gone with the Andrew's Wide first gear? I see several posts about people who are going to or are doing gearing changes to either 1rst or 4th, but nobody writes back to give their impressions.

[dave76]

Originally Posted by benton

So, Dave76, how's the new 4th gear working for you this past year? Are you happy with it? Would the W first gear be a better option?

I'm ordering new parts because my mainshaft splines and clutch gear splines have worn. (I'm guessing the clutch gear splines are worn, I'm sure the clutch hub splines have and it's on order from HD). I got the impression that many ironhead owners went to the close gearing because 4th was too high.

Has anyone here gone with the Andrew's Wide first gear? I see several posts about people who are going to or are doing gearing changes to either 1rst or 4th, but nobody writes back to give their impressions.

For highway riding it's awsome, 3400 RPM at 70 mph, however I can never seem to fine a happy medium with street riding, the gears are too widely spaced. A lot back and forth shifting between 3rd and 4th around 40-50 MPH. Anything under 50 and 4th is usless as the revs are only around 2500 rpm. I've contemplated going back, but the highway is what keeps them in there.

[Zbimmerboy]

This is a very informative thread. Thank You!
I have a 74 XLCH with stock 4 speed. Just installed a new clutch cable and changed fluid. Down shifting into 1st gear preparing to stop can be troublesome -1 time out of 4 the tranny will be in neutral not 1st - a little embarrassing at a 4 way stop. It is hard to feel the gears shifting and I don't always hear the change. Shifting up through the gears seems fine with good performance. Shifting down through the gears to neutral works smoothly also but from 2nd to 1st is a little iffy. There seems to be a lot of travel going from first through neutral to second also. This is my first Sportster 4 speed experience - still trying to learn the machine's personality. Any comments would be appreciated.

[SOTCRAZYDAVE]

I have a 90 1200 4 speed that wont come out of 3rd when riding what could be issue?

[jay1100]

Also the shift cam on these things tends to be a bit rough on the edges, a lot of books I've read recommend polishing the shift points and cam follower area for smoother shifting. It definitly works as i did it to my fathers bike.


Do you have any more info on polishing the cam follower and the shift points?
i am rebuilding my 86 4 speed and its a to shift.
details and a maybe pictures would be great

[dave76]

Well after all the reasearch rebuilding the trans and actually enjoying the highway cruising, I am going back the close ratio gears and stock 21/48,,, read more here.

http://xlforum.net/forums/s....php?t=1539783