Ironhead Transmission

Text and Pictures by Mark Trotta

With over 50 individual pieces, overhauling an Ironhead transmission requires attention to detail and a lot of checking and rechecking. A well-intentioned DIYer can easily cause damage by forgetting a retaining ring or installing a wrong-size thrust washer.

The four-speed Sportster unit transmission was produced for over three decades, starting with 1954-1956 Harley K-models, then 1957-1985 Ironheads, and 1986-1990 Early Evo Sportsters.

Although some feel a four-speed is antiquated, it does a fine job of spreading the abundant torque of the motor. You can easily hold a gear where other makes have to go back a gear or two.

Not a whole lot of downshifting is needed, just twist the throttle and go!

Although it's a bit complicated to assemble, there's no groundbreaking technology here. Similar to engine building, the skills needed to rebuild one are acquired as needed.

The first step is to learn how to remove it.

Read: Remove And Install Ironhead Transmission

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An Ironhead transmission is easier to understand when broken down into categories:

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Ironhead Mainshaft Assembly

The mainshaft sits above the countershaft and is longer. It rides between the clutch gear bearing in the trap door and 23 loose needle bearings in the right-side engine case.

From inside to outside, the four main gears are 1st, 3rd, 2nd, and 4th. This is done for fitment reasons.

Mainshaft Differences

Throughout it's production years, the Ironhead Sportster was fitted with three different mainshafts. There is an early dry-clutch mainshaft (1957-1970), the later dry-clutch mainshaft (1967-1970) for electric start bikes. Dry clutch mainshafts are hollow to allow push rods to activate the clutch.

Later Sportsters with wet-clutch setups (1971 up) have a solid mainshaft.

Pictured is an early dry clutch mainshaft with third gear attached.

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Ironhead Countershaft Assembly

The transmission countershaft rides between an open needle bearing in the trap door and a closed needle bearing in the right engine case.

There are two different countershafts for the four-speed Sportster transmission. The early style was used from 1958 up until early 1984. The later countershaft is used on both Ironheads (1984-1985) and early Evo Sportsters (1986-1990) until the last year of the four-speed.

Both transmission shafts should be checked for straightness. The picture below shows checking mainshaft straightness on a homemade flywheel truing stand. Anything past .003" is questionable.

Read: DIY Motorcycle Tools

Carefully check all gears before re-use. Once pitting occurs, gear wear is rapidly accelerated.

The picture above shows a badly pitted countershaft third gear.

Once assembled with other gears on a shaft, every gear should roll free without any noise or binding.

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Trap Door And Mainshaft Bearing

The transmission access cover on Sportsters is commonly called the trap door. It is mounted with four bolts that do not require washers.

The trap door assembly contains the mainshaft bearing, which is held in place by two retaining rings. After the rings are removed, it's a light press fit to remove the clutch gear and bearing.

Once separated from the trap door, the mainshaft bearing can be spun by hand to feel for any binding or excessive wear.

Oiler Plug

The oiler plug sits outside the open needle bearing and press-fits into the trap door. Before installing the oiler plug, check countershaft end play. Once installed, the oiler plug should stick out of the case about 7/16" with the hole facing up.

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Shifter Assembly

Shifter Forks and Spacing

The two slider gears need to be spaced apart as equally as possible. The most common way to adjust gear spacing is to replace the shift forks with different sizes until proper clearances are obtained.

Although only two are needed, a meticulous builder may remove and install half a dozen shifter forks before the correct gear clearance is obtained.

Mainshaft and countershaft end play need to be established and adjusted before final assembly.

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Related Articles:

Remove And Install Ironhead Transmission

Engine Case Prep Harley Sportster

DIY Flywheel Truing Stand

Best Engine Assembly Lube

Best Digital Caliper For Engine Building

Remove/Install Sportster Cam Bearings

Repair Stripped Threads In Aluminum

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