Release #75 - May 2026

Function-Formed 5-Speed Hydraulic Side Covers

You asked, we listened. We’ve officially resurrected the original Function-Formed (FF) Hydraulic Side Cover for stock 5-Speeds and BAKER 5/6-speed gearsets. When we first launched the FF line, the goal was simple: strip away the “fat” of standard aftermarket covers and leave nothing but raw, mechanical art. In this video, we walk you through the install and show you why this is the tidiest, most precise hydraulic actuator on the market. 

Why the FF Side Cover? 

• Ultra-Slim Profile: Machined from 6061-T6 billet aluminum to tuck in closer than stock cable covers for a sleek, aggressive profile.
• Easier Clutch Pull: Features a 1.5” steel piston riding on Buna-N O-rings that, when combined with a recommended 11/16” bore handlebar master cylinder, ensures an optimized leverage ratio for smooth, clean clutch action.
• Maintenance-Free Control: Unlike cable setups, a hydraulic system requires no tedious on-the-road adjustments. With proper initial setup, the system is completely maintenance-free and automatically compensates for minor clutch stack wear—meaning no more broken clutch cables and more time spent riding.
• Heavy-Duty Throwout Bearing: The internal piston is precision-machined to accommodate our included heavy-duty throwout bearing kit. Engineered with a massive load capacity, it is built to handle stock or aggressive high-performance clutches, ending your throwout bearing woes.
• What’s Included: This complete kit comes fully loaded with the fatigue-proof Function-Formed Dipstick, our Heavy-Duty Throwout Bearing Kit, all necessary gaskets, and the exact hardware required for a seamless installation.

Party at the Pen East

This year marks the second annual Party At The Pen East, returning June 6-7, 2026, to the imposing Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, the legendary site of The Shawshank Redemption. It’s a place where vintage iron and artistic expression meet under some serious prison steel, and BAKER Drivetrain is proud to be a sponsor.

At BAKER, we respect the history of the machine, but we respect the sacrifice of our veterans even more. This show is a powerhouse supporter of Wounded Warriors Family Support (WWFS), an organization that has provided over $10.3 million in vehicle grants for combat-wounded veterans. Last year alone, the show raised over $25,000 for the cause.

We’ll be on-site with the BAKER booth in Mansfield to talk shop, check out the world-class craftsmanship, and support the men and women who served. If you’re into vintage steel and supporting a heavy-hitting veteran charity, come find us at the Reformatory.

Smooth Out the Noise: Meet the BAKER Comptimizer

If you've ever felt that annoying primary shudder during take-off or cringed at the violent kickback during a rough start, your stock compensator spring is likely hitting its limit. Drivetrain components are wear parts, and over time, the factory springs lose their edge—especially when you start adding real-world torque and horsepower to the mix. To fix that, we just dropped a new video breaking down the BAKER Comptimizer Heavy-Duty Compensator Spring. Precision-engineered and American-made, this direct upgrade for 2007-later Softail/Touring models (and 2006-2017 Dynas) increases torsional absorption to deliver a quieter, more refined ride and cleaner, more confident starts.

In this video, we dive into exactly how this heavy-duty outer spring manages the dampening threshold to protect your healthy OEM components from premature wear. The trick to getting the most mileage out of your primary is preventative maintenance—installing the Comptimizer before excessive wear destroys your factory sprocket or outer ramp ensures maximum longevity for your entire assembly. Check out the full video below to see how a simple, cost-effective spring swap can transform your bike's power delivery.

Two Epic Events, One Unmissable Weekend

Late June is officially locking in as the ultimate weekend for chopper purists, and we are incredibly proud to sponsor both The Biltwell People’s Champ and Born-Free 17. If you live for one-off builds, raw horsepower, and genuine garage grease, this is the one weekend you absolutely cannot miss.

The madness kicks off on Friday night at Cook’s Corner with the Biltwell People’s Champ. This isn't just a bike show; it’s a grueling, crowd-voted gauntlet. Starting with over 100 initial entrants, the field has been whittled down to the final six elite builders. But here’s the kicker—these bikes can't just look pretty. To even qualify for the final vote, all six builders must survive a mandatory 50-mile maiden voyage starting at the east end of Ortega Highway and riding all the way into Cook's Corner. If it doesn't run, it doesn't count! The final votes will be tallied and announced live on stage that night, and the winner earns a coveted spot in the Invited Builder area at Born-Free.

The momentum rolls right into the main event on June 27th and 28th as Born-Free 17 takes over Oak Canyon Park in Silverado, California. Thousands of incredible custom motorcycles will flood the grounds for two days of pure V-Twin heaven, showcasing the absolute best of chopper culture, music, and community.

While BAKER Drivetrain won't have a formal vendor booth set up this year, we are still heavily baked into the weekend. We're throwing a heavy-hitting BAKER gift card into the official Born-Free raffle—so even if you don't take home one of the grand prize giveaway bikes, you still have a prime chance to win some serious hardware for your own drivetrain. Plus, our tech expert, Matt, will be on the ground all weekend roaming the crowd. Look for the BAKER Drivetrain shirt if you want to pick his brain with your technical transmission questions, or just flag him down to buy him a cold beer!