Expat, your bike may way have different gearing than US models.

we are at 32F/68 R for current models 2.87 final drive ratio

Mike

 

Hi Mike,
Local reviews and my spare-parts catalogue refer to the same final ratio (32F/68R). I remember cruising near 3,000 rpm while at 85 Mph, getting a mileage of 41-42 mpg, the temperature was 60°F, no wind and the 500 miles ride felt like being on a cloud of morphine

 

Would still like to hear from someone that has done this on a 2009 or newer touring bike to see how they like it.

 

When listening to people's opinions, take note of what year their bike is.

The pre 2009's had an even lower final drive ratio, so a 30T on a 2008 is the same final drive ratio as a 31T on a 2009+ (2.97 final with a 31T).

A 30T on a 2009+ brings you to 3.06.

Here is a link to the best summary of info on this, from Andrews website-

http://www.andrewsproducts.com/PDF_f...lleys-pg29.pdf

Also, there is a long, very informative thread over on the CVO Harley forum (entitled 30T and happy). It made me decide on the 31T over the 30T for my 2009 SERG, as I didn't want the revs too high on the highway. I seem to be in the minority on this though, as many of the guys went for the 30T- depends on how much high speed highway driving you do I guess.

Another reason I went for the 31T over the 30T is that I thought I could keep my stock belt, but that wasn't so in my case- I bought the Andrews 31T, and my mechanic said the stock belt wouldn't work, so I would need the 139T belt. I've yet to order it, so I had to hold off and can't give you my opinion on this until springtime.

Speaking of belts, apparently some guys had issues with their aftermarket belts breaking, but they appeared to be the Drag Specialities or Falcon ones.

Best bet is to stick with the Gates Polydrive PC 139-1 from beltdrives.com. Gates makes the OEM belts for HD. And no, HD does not have a compatible 1" 139 tooth belt- you have to go aftermarket.

And also, if you decide to go with the more expensive Baker pulley, make sure you don't get the aluminum one- with my previous metric bike, a lot of guys did a simlar pulley swap and had issues with wear on the softer aluminum pulleys- not worth saving a bit of weight, IMO.

 

I have one for sale, 80.00 shipped.....

 

Following this one....

 

You may have just answered my next question, what brand belt to buy. Are the OEM belts Polydrive? If not why the Polydrive? Is it the best belt they make? I want the best now not after it brakes, Thanks for your help.

I wonder if some of the people that had belts break misaligned them when tightening them.

 

Thats one sharp Road King

Subscribed

 

Change the primary sprocket,gets rid of compensator and is very easy to do.

 

Thanks, can't wait to do this mod after I get all the tools and parts. Will suck not being able to try it out till spring though.