I have a 1988 softail. I would like to upgrade to a 6 speed, probably a Baker, at some time in the future. My bike falls in those funny years, 87-89 I think that have the crappy old tapered mainshaft and clutch that is held on with just that silly little keyway between the clutch hub and mainshaft,(I was able to have a friend/wrench upgrade to a splines clutch/mainshaft a few years back but still have the original HD 5 speed in there) and the solonoid still sticking out of the top of my primary case. When I browse catalogs looking for parts or kits it seems nobody has a 6 speed for those years, just 90 and above.
If I wanted to upgrade to a Baker 6 as well as the newer style primary/clutch/starter to go with it(whether I go belt or chain primary) would I have any fitment issues?
Would a newer style drivetrain bolt right up to my 88 frame ? Would all the mounting points on the frame work ?

Thanks

 

The gearsets will fit ok. The reason they say `90 and later is because the clutch is different, due to the splined shaft.

As long as you are going to change out the clutch to a `90 or later setup, you are fine.

`90-`93 clutch will be the easiest, because the starter ring gear and the primary chain sprockets are the same size as came on your `88.

You can keep the inner primary with the old starter setup, or go to a later primary and use the more modern starter setup.

 

Thanks for the reply Dan.
If I'm understanding you right, I could upgrade my whole drivetrain if thats the route I choose to go and should have no issues mounting to my 88 frame mounting points.
Did anything change on the compensator sprocket assembly in the 90+ setup? I know you said primary chain sprockets stayed the same but I'm not sure if you mean both ends, clutch and compensator.

Thanks

 

You don`t have to change anything that drastic, you can use you existing transmission case and just change the gearset.

The compensator sprocket stayed the same through `93 (24 teeth).

If you decide to upgrade to the modern starter setup, just make sure when you are hunting for parts you use the same year starter and inner primary cover.

 

Mark from Baker here, Dan is exactly right you can get a 6 speed with either a tapered or splined mainshaft I would recommend going with a splined shaft and a newer 90 and up primary so you can upgrade to a better starter.

 

+1 Just make sure you don't fubar your old IP case...just in case you change your mind. Plus you should be able to sell it on ebay to recover some of your parts cost.

 

Thanks all for the good info. I already had a friend convert me to a splined clutch a few years back . I kept shearing off that keyway on my stock setup. Sounds like going to a 6 speed won't be as involved as I thought.