Which cam for sound?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 2,205
Number of cams or where they are has zero to do with how an engine sounds. Sound is all about idle RPM and cam characteristics (overlap, lobe separation angle).
2 into 1s sound like crap in my opinion. They smooth out the uneven sound that makes v twins instantly recognizable.
2 into 1s sound like crap in my opinion. They smooth out the uneven sound that makes v twins instantly recognizable.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 320
Likes: 179
From: Socal
Number of cams or where they are has zero to do with how an engine sounds. Sound is all about idle RPM and cam characteristics (overlap, lobe separation angle).
2 into 1s sound like crap in my opinion. They smooth out the uneven sound that makes v twins instantly recognizable.
2 into 1s sound like crap in my opinion. They smooth out the uneven sound that makes v twins instantly recognizable.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 862
Likes: 417
From: In the mountains
"Number of cams or where they are has zero to do with how an engine sounds"
Sportsters have always had a good sound, why the OP heard it from a onlooker, I suspect with 4 cams the timing events of them help the sound.
Sportsters have always had a good sound, why the OP heard it from a onlooker, I suspect with 4 cams the timing events of them help the sound.
Last edited by natural gasser; Jan 17, 2024 at 01:51 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 1,322
Likes: 731
From: Pennsylvania
Again, the thing that keeps me scratching my head is the engine "whistle" that my 19 has. My wife purchased her 21 new. Both 114s but hers sounds awesome, especially with the V&H 300s
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 2,205
Sportsters sound wicked because they have the choppiest factory idle and more hp per cubic inch than any other air cooled Harley-Davidson (at least before the modern era they did). That is a function of cam profile, not the number of or location of the camshafts. The valves don't care what is opening them, but keeping them open longer so that there is more overlap is going to give any engine a choppier idle.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,321
Likes: 1,884
Sportsters sound wicked because they have the choppiest factory idle and more hp per cubic inch than any other air cooled Harley-Davidson (at least before the modern era they did). That is a function of cam profile, not the number of or location of the camshafts. The valves don't care what is opening them, but keeping them open longer so that there is more overlap is going to give any engine a choppier idle.
Last edited by Durham man; Jan 18, 2024 at 12:47 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 380
From: Philly Burbs
There are a lot of great sounding/performing cams where you can't go wrong. The best bang for the buck (performance/price) is likely the S&S 475 cam, which is what I went with on my RGST for stage 2. Here's an idling video I just uploaded to YT:
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 456
Likes: 307
From: New Zealand
There are a lot of great sounding/performing cams where you can't go wrong. The best bang for the buck (performance/price) is likely the S&S 475 cam, which is what I went with on my RGST for stage 2. Here's an idling video I just uploaded to YT:
https://youtube.com/shorts/p1QSZ0LSO...1M47TNddm8N0dD
https://youtube.com/shorts/p1QSZ0LSO...1M47TNddm8N0dD
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 380
From: Philly Burbs
