I was in the confidence during Daytona Bike week. One of the bikes riding around the city and on the I95 was test-equipped with a prototype 7-speed transmission. The Baker DD7 is being developed as a direct replacement of the Cruise Drive Harley-Davidson factory 6-speed to improve it in many ways. 1- Factory 1st gear ratio is too tall (numerically too small). The DD7 has a shorter (numerically larger) 1st gear for easier launches. 2- Shift clunk. In transmission design, be it automotive or motorcycle, low mainshaft weight is always desirable for smooth and quiet shifts. Audible shift clunk in the factory 6-speed is caused by the heavy weight and resultant high inertia of the 1-piece forged mainshaft. That mainshaft is a one-piece design that includes1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gears. The DD7 mainshaft is light weight and only includes the small 1st gear as an integral part. 3- Shift smoothness. Shift smoothness in the factory 6-speed is a definite improvement over the 5-speed. The DD7 is a big improvement over the factory 6-speed because it incorporates a new linear roller ball detent as part of the supplied Billet Top Cover. This linear roller ball detent is similar to the type first used in Baker TorqueBox transmissions. 4- Gear noise. The factory 6-speed has straight cut 1st and 5th gears. This yields gear noise in 1st and 5th.The Baker DD7 has a full set of helical gears for quiet operation in every gear.
The Harley-Davidson factory 6-speed ratios are: 1st (3.34), 2nd (2.30), 3rd (1.71), 4th (1.41), 5th (1.18), 6th (1.00). The Baker DD7 transmission will have the following ratios : 1st (3.76), 2nd (2.75), 3rd (2.06), 4th (1.55), 5th (1.27), 6th (1.10), 7th (1.00).
In this new Baker DD7, Shift Drum is designed to help the rider find Neutral every time, like with all other Baker Transmissions. Testers tell me that the bike felt like motor work has been done to it and that it shifts like a dream. Baker Drivetrain.
Baker is one of the very few still innovating with everybody following 1 or 2 years later. We need more people like Bert Baker.
Very interesting news. 7 speeds may sound overdone and like a marketing gimmick, but after reading I understand the improvements. Cyril, are going to test this DD7? Tell us more
7TH IS STILL 1.00 TO 1 SO ITS NOT AN OVERDRIVE FOR CRUSING..UNLESS BERT CHANGED THE PRIMARY RATIO WHICH ISNT MENTIONED IN YOUR ARTICLE…AND I WOULD ASSUME HE DID. HES A VERY SMART MAN. AND HIS CREW ROCKS. IF HE CHANGED THE PRIMARY RATIO THEN 7TH IS OVERDRIVE INSTEAD OF SHIFTING 7 TIMES TO END UP WITH THE SAME RATIO? JUST A QUESTION.
Right, we want to know more.I am building a bike and would like to know when it will be available. Price?
Bad luck for me, i just ordered and installed a 6 speed!
I’m waiting for the 12 speed
Baker will stop at 13!
I struggle with more than 4! peace
search information offset sprocket for 1200 XLH 1988 (4speed) thank !
Christophe, Drag Specialties has 21 or 22 tooth chain drive with .200″ offset listed for 84-90 yr models.price is $34.95. how much offset do you need? peace
Bert Baker is certainly to be commended for his cutting edge technology, the quality of his products, and the ease with which they can be retrofit. My only question is how much is enough? At the rate things are going, I think I’ll wait for the 23 speed automatic.
Helles belles, what’s with all these extra meshers? I’d like to see LESS gears! How about tossing a fluid coupler on yer skoot and be done with it? I’m a lazy phuck, I gots better things to do with my time than shifting. Besides, every time I bang a gear I run the risk of spilling some of that tangy corn mash my liver is so fond of.
hey for us gear heads its just the thing to go with my screaming eagle big bore kit what is the cost of the tranny
Along with all else that has been said above, Baker also tells me the DD7 is much STRONGER than the OEM 6-speed. It uses 28% larger bearings in the door, plus a steel plate secured by six heavy screws to keep the bearings in place rather than the OEM snap rings. For modified engies, the helical gears in the OEM 6-speed generate enough axial force to flex and/or break the snap rings that hold the bearings in place, allowing the gears to “walk” back and forth causing all sorts of reasons to gnash your teeth (no pun intended). Combine that with the fact that all shafts and gears are Baker quality, and you have a much stronger tranny than the OEM.
HANDSDOWN NOONE WILL EVER BE ABLE TO COMPETE WITH BAKER NEVER!
If you can retrofit a baker 6 speed gear set into a harley 5 speed transmission. and you can retrofit a baker 7 speed into a harley 6 speed transmission, they why can’t you retrofit a baker7 speed into a harley 5 speed transmission?????