How To Remove Speed Limiter On Harley Davidson

The History of the Harley Five-Speed Transmission

by Evan Gillespie

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For more than 50 years, Harley-Davidson riders had to exist content with four gears. The visitor'south four-speed transmission pattern was solid plenty to remain virtually unchanged from its introduction in the 1930s until its retirement in the 1980s, but during that half century, many Harley riders wished for ane more than gear at the top. In 1980, the wish came true, and the five-speed gearbox would stay at the peak of Harley'south transmission line for over 25 years.

Four-Speed Transmissions

When the Harley-Davidson EL debuted in 1936, it was equipped with a i,000 cc overhead-valve engine whose uniquely shaped valve covers earned it the nickname "Knucklehead." The Knucklehead engine was replaced by the Panhead in 1948, but the four-speed manual used on the EL would remain Harley's main transmission blueprint until the 1980s. The 4-speed gearbox received updates to its case and main shaft to accommodate upgrades to other engine systems, but the transmission's bones blueprint remained the same until it was superseded by the five-speed transmission.

The Offset Five-Speed Transmissions

In 1980, Harley-Davidson debuted its FLT Tour Glide model, a 1,300 cc Big Twin touring cycle. The FLT introduced several innovations, including a new rubber engine mountain system that reduced vibration and a front fork that was mounted behind the steering caput. The FLT too featured Harley's first 5-speed transmission, which was hard bolted to the bike's engine. This new transmission added the extra gear that Harley riders had wanted for a long fourth dimension, and the fifth gear increased the bike's top speed while allowing for low ratios in the lower gears.

Wider Adoption

Harley-Davidson introduced the 1,340 cc Evolution engine in 1984, and when the Evolution was used in five of the company'south big bikes, the v-speed transmission was used along with it. The base of operations model FLH was the only FL bike to retain the four-speed transmission in 1984; and fifty-fifty that inverse the adjacent year, when the FLH was modified to utilise the condom-mounted Evolution and the five-speed gearbox. The Evolution engine debuted in the Sportster line in 1986, simply the five-speed manual wouldn't be used on a Sportster until 1991, when the 4-speed gearbox was replaced past the v-speed on all models.

Six-Speed Transmission

As part of a redesign of its Dyna Glide line for the 2006 model yr, Harley-Davidson offered a six-speed manual on the Dyna Glide models. Like the five-speed gearbox, this new manual lacks a truthful overdrive gear, but its top gear has a one-to-ane ratio, allowing lower rpm at top speed. The transmission also features relatively quiet helical-cut gears, and all external oil lines have been eliminated from the design.

References

Writer Bio

Evan Gillespie grew upwardly working in his family'due south hardware and home-comeback concern and is an experienced gardener. He has been writing on dwelling, garden and design topics since 1996. His work has appeared in the Southward Bend Tribune, the Fort Wayne Periodical-Gazette, Arts Everywhere magazine and many other publications.

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