About this product
A shift drum and pillow block that brings the geometry from Baker's six speed overdrive to a stock Cruise Drive transmission.
Cruise Drive gearboxes shift adequately and no better. The effort is in the detent and the fork pin grooves, and Baker went at both. New groove geometry moves the forks with less resistance, a linear detent bearing on the right side mounting plate replaces the stock arrangement, and a fixed spindle drum lowers the friction of the drum turning at all. The result is less effort at the lever and a cleaner engagement, from a part that drops into the transmission you already have.
The pillow block is the other half of it, machined from Baker's own 6061-T6 extrusion stock and substantially stronger than the stock piece it replaces.
Features of the Smooth Shift Kit
- Shift drum and pillow block designed together for smooth, precise shifting
- Advanced fork pin groove geometry with a linear detent bearing on the right side mounting plate
- Pillow block machined from Baker 6061-T6 extrusion stock, a substantial strength increase over stock
- Fixed spindle drum design lowers friction as the drum rotates, reducing shift effort
- Direct bolt in with no adjustments needed after installation
- No need to disassemble the stock gearset from the bearing door
- Reuses the stock shifter pawl, pawl centering pin, shift forks and fork rods
- Includes a precision machined spindle and drum, plus all gaskets and fasteners
- Made in the U.S.A.
Standard or N1 Shift Pattern
Both patterns are offered. Standard is the factory arrangement, with neutral between first and second. N1 is a zero down, all up sequence that puts neutral below first gear, which removes any chance of catching a false neutral on an aggressive one to two shift. N1 is the race derived choice; standard is the one that will not surprise you at a stop light.
Smooth Shift Kit Fitment
- '17-'23 Touring (except '23 FLHXSE and FLTRXSE) and '18-'23 M8 Softail
- '07-'16 Touring, '07-'17 Softail and '06-'17 Dyna
Pick the shift pattern and the model group together, since each combination is a separate part.
Common Questions About the Smooth Shift Kit
Do I have to tear the transmission down?
No. The stock gearset stays assembled in the bearing door. You remove the gearset, swap the drum, and put it back.
Is there anything to adjust afterwards?
No. It is a direct bolt in replacement.
Should I choose N1?
If you ride hard and have ever found a false neutral going from first to second, yes. If the bike spends its life in traffic, standard is the easier pattern to live with.
Description supplied by MetalCore Harley Supply through its current Shopify listing. Product, performance, and health claims are the seller’s and have not been independently verified by StorkScout.