68t or 70t Rear pulley swap on an 08 night train.

[838]

Looking at this as another option to change the gearing on an 08 softail (66/32 final drive currently). Looks like one could go 68/32, 68/30, or 70/32 retaining the stock length belt. The 68t being from a sportster and the 70t being from an older softail.

Are these direct swaps or are other components necessary?

My other option in a chain drive, but I don't know if it's necessary with my riding style? This bike will have 130/130 minimum by the time it's finished. I don't burnout or wheelie so I don't know if it's needed... I do ride aggressive, and the tires break lose occasionally, but it's not something I do regularly.

Thanks for any help.

[838]

I'm leaning to the 70/32 ratio. Gives me a final drive just under 3.0... should be good "all around" gearing...

[pauly]

Hi 838,

I'm told a 66/30 is the way to go.
See this https://harleytechtalk.com/htt/index.php/topic,113997.0.html
aaaaand.... https://harleytechtalk.com/htt/index.php/topic,113745.0/all.html
(particularly reply #24 from DrSpencer)

Thanks
Pauly

I'm leaning to the 70/32 ratio. Gives me a final drive just under 3.0... should be good "all around" gearing...

[Weyrider]

wrong post sorry

[kd]

You will.  That's a great middle of the road ratio.

[838]

Hi 838,

I'm told a 66/30 is the way to go.
See this https://harleytechtalk.com/htt/index.php/topic,113997.0.html
aaaaand.... https://harleytechtalk.com/htt/index.php/topic,113745.0/all.html
(particularly reply #24 from DrSpencer)

Thanks
Pauly

I'm leaning to the 70/32 ratio. Gives me a final drive just under 3.0... should be good "all around" gearing...

Only concern with the 66/30 is the new belt? Is the 40074-07 20mm belt as durable as the stock belt?

[838]

You will.  That's a great middle of the road ratio.

66/30 is about the same too 👍.

[kd]

You will.  That's a great middle of the road ratio.

66/30 is about the same too 👍.

That's what I was referring to.   

[838]

You will.  That's a great middle of the road ratio.

66/30 is about the same too 👍.

That's what I was referring to.   

👍. Do you know about the belt that goes with this change? Is it strong?  40074-07

[kd]

When I changed my ratio I used an EVO Ind. 49 tooth (instead of 46) clutch basket and a 31 trans sprocket.  The original belt worked with only 1 tooth lower on the trans. My understanding from those that have been doing most of these changes is the Harley belts are the way to go.  It has been discussed here on many occasions and some that tried to save by going to a jobber belt ended up doing the job twice. 

[838]

When I changed my ratio I used an EVO Ind. 49 tooth (instead of 46) clutch basket and a 31 trans sprocket.  The original belt worked with only 1 tooth lower on the trans. My understanding from those that have been doing most of these changes is the Harley belts are the way to go.  It has been discussed here on many occasions and some that tried to save by going to a jobber belt ended up doing the job twice. 

I believe this is a Harley belt, but it says "japan models..." and when I looked it up the picture showed a drag specialties box   

[Tail Ridr]

When I changed my ratio I used an EVO Ind. 49 tooth (instead of 46) clutch basket and a 31 trans sprocket.  The original belt worked with only 1 tooth lower on the trans. My understanding from those that have been doing most of these changes is the Harley belts are the way to go.  It has been discussed here on many occasions and some that tried to save by going to a jobber belt ended up doing the job twice. 

Have thought about going this route, myself... 3.16 final?

[kd]

IMO If you are in the +140 square zone you have to ask yourself why'd you do that build.  I had to be honest and admit that I was going to ride the bag off it every day. I am known to do burnouts through several gears, bang hard shifts, you name it.  I love hard pulls and highway passing speeds.  I knew the OEM basket was weak and actually dangerous if overstressed. (There are pics and stories of blown baskets here) so I killed several birds with one stone.  Got a tough basket I could beat the hell out of, got to lower my ratio to 3:16 which btw is killer compared to stock, and did it with a 31 trans pulley that meant no expense or dealing with odd ball belt sizes.

The important caveat here is that I didn't deal with the axle shift issue big power used to excess  causes with the OEM adjusters.   That has to be addressed. When I did that I went to 530 chain also.  Now I Have 24 / 51, 53, 55, 57 sprockets and can switch rear sprockets with ease to anything I want.  For what it's worth, the 24 / 53 gives me 3.18 OEM 6 sod (3.15 GrudgeBox O/D). I use it the most (like almost always) 

[jmorton10]

This is the best tool for figuring out gear ratios.

www.nightrider.com/biketech/calc_gearratios.htm

~John

[tommy g]

I installed the Evo Ind 49 tooth years ago on my 09 Softail. Not one regret.