We received a notice before Sturgis that the Baker crew scheduled to set up a 6-Speed Overdrive install tent. They did and installed 17 6-speed gear sets during the week. Talk about a rush. A brother rides his 5-speed to the Badlands and glides home on a 6-speed.

Nothing makes more difference to the load on a Evo or Twin Cam engine than shifting into 6th speed at 75 mph on an interstate. Suddenly you're slipping along as if your rear belt disappeared. So, I went after Baker for an install report. Just recently their crew, Jason Hallman and Evan Edwards from JR Cycle Works in Plymouth, Michigan, flew out to man their H-D 105th Anniversary Baker Tent, and they installed another five 6- speed sets.

"They are a Baker dealer and have the knowledge and skillset to handle it," Trish Horstman, Baker Marketing manager told me. "We have a close working relationship with them and they're perfect for the job."

That brings up another important point. You don't need to ride a 1000 miles to an event to set your 5-speed free. Find a reputable Baker dealer near you and they'll handle it, or hell, do it yourself with your bros. We'll cover all the basics here, plus the Baker product comes with an extensive installation manual.

If you like this notion and plan to ride to Myrtle Beach (god forbid) or Biketoberfest (that's cool), Baker, Jason and Evan will be there. Here's the drill. It takes about a ½ day for the install. Plan to deliver you bike early in the morning, then go party for the day. When you return in the afternoon the bike will be completed and you can ride away, no break-in period.

It will be oiled with Spectro Oils, adjusted and ready for the road. The team plans for two installs a day, so sign up early. Here's how Baker describes their DD6:

The BAKER DD6 is the ultimate transmission for serious touring, bagger, Softail, or Dyna riders. The ones who really put the miles on appreciate the silent smoothness with our helical highway gears and direct drive engineering (99 percent efficient over 92 percent stock). All steps have been taken to dampen vibration so you, your motor, and the rest of the bike can go the long haul for years to come.

Owning an American made BAKER DD6 will give you peace of mind in your travels. You’ll know that you have the premium drivetrain transmission that is built to endure. You’ll have comfort in knowing that your investment is also supported passionately by BAKER Drivetrain with our hefty 5-year/50,000 warranty. No worries. Ride on. Now get the hell out there, ride hard and far, and know that you’re in good company with the award-winning DD6 from the drivetrain authority.

Our DD6 is finessed for touring model bikes, especially for the later Twin Cam powertrains, as the DD6 mitigates noise amplified in the hollow space between the motor and the tranny. It is the perfect blend of gear ratio, gear type, noise reduction advancements, shift system technology, bearing upgrades and ease of installation. Since the release of the BAKER DD6 in 2003, there have been thousands of satisfied customers world-wide with American touring Big Twins who will attest that it is the premium transmission of choice.

Components

The BAKER DD6 transmission Builders Kit comes with the necessary components to change your stock 5-Speed into a 6-Speed, providing smoother shifting, positive neutral-finding, and reduced cruising RPM on the highway as compared to the stock 5-speed. With proven technology and helical 4th, 5th, and 6th gears, your highway cruising is noise-free.

A Builder’s Kit is, as the name implies, for building a BAKER DD6 transmission using an existing case housing and its peripheral hardware. The following 5-speed components are required to complete this installation:

□ Transmission case
□ Pawl and sprocket spacer seals
□ Top cover and fasteners
□ Clutch release cover & fasteners
□ Clutch release mechanism and push rod hardware

The following parts come with the kit:

1. Assembled DD6 gear set on BAKER bearing door.
2. Shift drum with redundant neutral pillow blocks.
3. Shifter pawl, model specific.
4. New P/N: 6209 main bearing and beveled snap ring.
5. Three shift forks, labeled #2, #3, and #4.
6. Bearing grade fork rod.
7. 28t Compensating sprocket and chain, model specific.
8. Primary Shaft Race
9. Neutral switch (some models).
10. Replacement chain tensioner pad and hardware (some models).
11. Eccentric adjuster screw
12. Seal 12067B

Regardless of the skill level or experience of the installer of the Builder’s Kit, it is highly recommended that a genuine H-D Motor Company parts catalog and Factory Service Manual be available for reference on the installation. The installation instructions for the BAKER DD6 will make reference to the Factory Service Manual. Any Factory manual from 1990 to present will be sufficient.

Special tool required The only special tools required are the same tools that would be required for any 5-speed installation. For a list of other required tools, please consult your Factory Service Manual.

For removing and installing of the main drive gear and main drive bearing, BAKER DRIVETRAIN part number ToolA-56 is required; an equivalent tool is also available from your local Harley dealer, part number 35316A.

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