01. Billet trap door and side covers are available in a show-polished finish or chrome pl
After having a couple of incidents where I had to get off my ’09 Harley FLHTC and push it backwards to get out of soft ground situations, I started thinking of a installing a reverse gear into my stock Harley Cruise Drive six-speed transmission case. Usually reverse is used on three-wheelers and sidecar rigs, but are becoming popular on two-wheelers as well, especially the heavier, Touring models.
Since I consider BAKER Drivetrain to be THE motorcycle transmission people, I called to see what they had for a late-model six-speed. It is designed to work with the stock foot shifter so no having to reach around the hot exhaust for a lever. Another feature I liked was it is impossible to get the bike locked in First gear and Reverse, something I’d heard about with other reverse systems. A spring-loaded toggle switch engages a solenoid as you push down on the shifter. After you back up, you simply stop the motorcycle, pull in the clutch, and shift into First gear.
02. I removed the main fuse (arrow) and then the battery ground cable as a safety measure
The kit comes with detailed instructions but an H-D Factory Service Manual is also needed as there is reference information in it that is needed. Even though I have worked on a lot of Harley transmissions, I made sure I read the BAKER instructions all the way through before I started the job.
Basic handtools, sockets, Allen wrenches, and snap ring pliers will be used as well as drivetrain tools such as 11⁄6, 13⁄16, and 13⁄8 six-point ½-inch drive sockets, primary inner race service kit, split bearing puller, and a torque wrench. You will also need access to a 20-ton hydraulic press, red and blue thread locker, anti-seize, and replacement fluids.
I went through the box that the kit came in just to be sure everything was included and was immediately impressed with the quality. I have dealt with BAKER enough to expect this but I have to mention it.
I will skip over procedures such as removing the saddlebags, side covers, seat, and stock exhaust.
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03. I drained the fluid and removed the outer primary cover.
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04. When removing the engine sprocket, chain, and clutch use a locking bar between the ge
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05. Empty inner primary.
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06. When removing the inner primary be sure to cover the splines on the transmission main
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07. Inner primary removed.
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08. Remove the bearing race from the mainshaft with the proper tool as you cannnot remove
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09. I drained the transmission while I removed the dipstick…
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10. …and top cover. Pull the shifter pawl off the drum and place it on the top-cover moun
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11. Remove the transmission side cover and detach the clutch cable.
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12. With the motorcycle in gear and the rear brake applied, loosen both nuts from the cou
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13. …and pull the gearset. I used a rubber mallet to lightly tap on the mainshaft from th
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14. With the gearset sitting on the workbench, follow the instructions in the Factory Ser