My 1998 FLHTCUI is in need of a new transmission pulley. The old stock one is worn out. I am definatley going to go with aftermarket and it definatley be steel...not cast iron OEM quality.

My real question though....70mph @ approx. 3,000Rpm? Do I need to go up one more tooth or even possibly two teeth from the stock pulley? I would like to lower the RPM somewhat and not loose too much acceleration. I figured if I could lower the RPM, the fuel economy would rise as well. Not really interested in a six speed for this bike.....

So, please advise

 

I went with a 33T BDL pulley (nice piece), on my 93 FXR. It dropped the rpms about 150, still not enough as my primary gearing is lower than yours. My stock overall ratio with a 32T/70T rear was 3.37. It currently now is 3.27, still pretty low. I could not fit a 34T pulley without modifying my swingarm as the belt is fairly new and I was all the way forward with the adjustment. I'm looking into switching over to a 65T rear pulley now.

Your current overall final drive ratio (check your owners manual), should be 3.15. If that is the case with your primary gearing a 33T trans and a 70T rear will changethe overall drive ratio to 3.06. A 34T trans/70T rear will be 3.00.

 

Damm you wore out your front drive pulley?What did sand get dropped into it?Now as far as changeing the stock gear's,Why?Do you do long distance high speed riding?My advice leave it be.Harley spent countless dollars to figure out the the best gear ratio's

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I believe the fuel injected bikes in 98 still had the lower 3.37 gearing. What I heard was that the FI's had less torque, so they made it up by keeping the lower gearing. Something to keep in mind if you're thinking of raising the gearing.

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I think it is a mistake to raise gearing too much. Even a tuned engine will give maximum torque at around 4,000rpm or higher, which is around 95mph on my bike's gearing. I have never gone that fast, so never used peak torque in top. Raising the gearing moves that speed further round the speedo and increases stress on the engine at normal road speeds in top gear.

I am about to fit an S&S 107, with a fabulous torque curve, but overall gearing will stay unchanged - I want to get the benefit of all the increased performancefrom my new engine, not kill it by over-gearing it!

We have just changed the engine sprocket on my wife's Dyna from 25T to 21T, to make the thing get up and GO! (Cheaper than tuning it).

 

Go one tooth at a time,you are the one that will have to find the sweet spot.