Get To Know A Baker Drivetrain Through Process Assembly Video

Baker transmission coming together through assembly

Great step by step process video showcasing how a manual motorcycle transmission is assembled for a v-twin motor. Gotta love American made engineering and high quality products from Baker Drivetrain.

Seeking Out A Small Block Chevy 350 Motor Reveals More In Eastern Carolina

Some days when you are on a mission to find a certain part of piece that you need for a build, too much hops in your path and you just have to scratch your head and consistently think on, why those items didn't cross your path before. Par exampla, rolled over to the coast today to link up with Mopar Rob to go and check out a lead on a 350 Small Block Chevy Motor and while waiting for our contact to show up at his shop we found all kinds of randomness. A 1950 Chevy 3100 truck that was being sold for 20k. Could easily see close to 10k but the rust spots and melted parts of dash were not a good sign. Then we happen to roll by a late 50's Chevy 4 x 4 longbed truck which was perfect for a shop truck, gotta check back in on that one. Also cruised by a shop called Combat Cycles which had quite a few builds out front but some just seemed to be a parts depot, compared to really though out for a killer ride.

1950 Chevy 3100 Truck

1950 Chevy 3100 Truck

Ironhead Sportster in a custom frame with springer front end and dual carbs

Patina'd out custom bobber with way too much motor and transmission for the frame

Patina'd out custom bobber with 6 speed Baker Trans and S&S 110" motor

Looks to be a custom bolt on hardtail section for a Triumph wtih a girder front end, fugly for sure.

How Does A Differential Gear Work, You Ask?

Mechanical aptitude comes in many forms, for me personally its in fabrication and general building principles. Engines, gears, parts, etc. all look like puzzle pieces in my head and I can see how they fit together based on shape and perceived function. Sometimes it might be a bit of trial and error akin to tuning a carburetor, but figuring out the precision aspects is half the fun. For other folks such as Chief its all about electrical engineering and "potential" energy. His mind wraps around it like a tortilla engulfing some tasty carne asada, rice and beans. Or we have someone such as Josh over at Wrench Works that dials into in the workings of all individual parts and fully understands the machinery as a whole and can refine the mechanical processes throughout. Lesson here is to make good friends who know what you don't know, sound familiar?

So ya wanna know about differential gears though, you say? Well, if your not Bert Baker and those gear ratios are giving you a hard time, sometimes its great to start from the beginning as we can't know everything, but can sure as hell learn more.

While our brains are crunching on gear ratios for our street fighter and new axle and transmission setup for the '51 Chevy shop truck we had to research a few places to dig into the basics and get our working plans in order.

Only thing missing from this video is if it was being narrated by Patches O'Houlihan.

More info from Wikipedia on Differential Gears
 

Baker Function Formed Primary

Found this image on Facebook and was stoked to see what Baker Drivetrain continues have up their sleeve. If we had the cash or were in need of an improved primary, installing a Baker Function Formed would be one of the first things we do. Its American made and the lines on it are as clean as a whistle, exuding strength and confidence with solid reliability along with ease of access due to their intuitive engineering setup. 

Here was the original text with the image: 

"Shown here is a BAKER FFP Formed Function Primary for Softail models. I am running it complete with our King Kong Klutch and outer bearing support on my 145" hot street/drag bike. Lots of our customers add their own finishes and personal touches. I have blasted away the pristine polished finish and powdercoated in a more subdued satin black. Also added is a quick access engine nut cover for periodic leakdown tests and mid shift control made from billet aluminum and some swap meet Dyna Glide parts. We give you the canvas, but you can personalize it any way you want! Send us some pics if your BAKER equipped ride. We'd love to see em, out of the box, or off the hook!" 

If you want to read more on this great product check out the Baker Function Formed Primary page 

Baker Function Formed Primary which can also use a stock Harley Clutch

Baker Unique 1-piece jackshaft is stronger