5 speed mainshaft length

[want2much]

i have a 5 speed i picked up from a swap years ago. no markings but it appears to be an Ultima. The problem I'm having is when i tried to install a new BDL 2" open primary, the clutch basket doesn't seat all the way back on the mainshaft. There's about a 1/2" gap between the basket and the motor plate. It appears that the mainshaft is too long. Did the 5 speed have different length mainshafts? Its a splined mainshaft

[STEINBVG]

Originally Posted by want2much

i have a 5 speed i picked up from a swap years ago. no markings but it appears to be an Ultima. The problem I'm having is when i tried to install a new BDL 2" open primary, the clutch basket doesn't seat all the way back on the mainshaft. There's about a 1/2" gap between the basket and the motor plate. It appears that the mainshaft is too long. Did the 5 speed have different length mainshafts? Its a splined mainshaft

I think the main shaft comes only one length? Are the splines on the old tranny straight, clean? No dents? Are there any dents , burs on the bdl inner hub[manufacturing oversight?]

can you show clear pictures of the main shaft without the basket and with it, preferably from that one can see how far the basked slides?

[want2much]

Spline and hub is clean and straight. Its almost like the splines dont go far enough. i put an old primo basket on it i have laying around and it fit fine. The BDL dosent push all the way back on the mainshaft far enough. Theres only a couple threads showing and the starter ring gear sticks out to far

[STEINBVG]

Originally Posted by want2much

Spline and hub is clean and straight. Its almost like the splines dont go far enough. i put an old primo basket on it i have laying around and it fit fine. The BDL dosent push all the way back on the mainshaft far enough. Theres only a couple threads showing and the starter ring gear sticks out to far

evidently the primo hub has shorter splines and fits the main shaft.

I wonder if the bdl model is for the regular 5 speed softail style trany. or it's for other harley types that differ in the primary design.
contact BDL, check with them.

one more question, when you slide bdl hub on the shaft, even though it's 1.2 " out, does it sit solid splines to splines or loose?



post pictures

[want2much]

BDL is for 90-06 softail. I thought the trans i have is in that time frame. When the hub is on, other than it not seating, it fits fine. No slop or movement. I emailed BDL too[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]

[STEINBVG]

So it sticks out? - the starter gear ring should be in the recess? flash, not be seen correct?

Does the hub turn freely on the main shaft with the motor plate.?
does it go as deep without the motor plate?

By the way, this hub looks wider than 2", more like 3 "
Do you have instructions from the kit?

I never had bdl-s. But i don't see any reason for them, if matched to the time periods of harley- to fit.
I have seen sometimes mild offset issues between front and rear drive pulley, but it was easily remedied by shimming or trimming the front pulley.

[want2much]

Its not problem of how to install it, I've done several. More interested in if anyone knows if the splined mainshafts were different lengths for certain models. I've never had this problem before and it seems to be the length of the mainshaft on the Ultima trans that is the issue.

[want2much]

I figured it out. The Ultima's mainshaft has a steeper spline ramp then a HD mainshaft. I purchased a HD mainshaft and everything lines up and fits now

[STEINBVG]

Originally Posted by want2much

I figured it out. The Ultima's mainshaft has a steeper spline ramp then a HD mainshaft. I purchased a HD mainshaft and everything lines up and fits now

Good to know. Glad.