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.
agree the big motors are pushing the envelope.

to say that you are not going to get the *reliability* of a stocker is something I cannot agree with.

Do i want an assembly line HD motor??

or, do I want a motor that is built with lovin care??

my poked and stroked 88-121 has definitely cut the mustard.

it is just as well mannered in 3rd gear rollin at 30 mph
as it is rollin in 3rd gear at 114 mph at the top end of the 1/4 mile.

my big motor?? reliability?? I have no doubt.

pizzaboymike -

you may want to consider trashing the S&S
contacting a known and reputable builder
and starting over on the right foot.

good luck with this, and keep us updated................
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Wow guys! I really appreciate your feedback. Mud I agree, you should be able to have reliability. My sporty is a stock 883 bottom end, with a buell lightning top end, with ported heads. Its been the most reliable ride I've ever had, and puts down 83 horse to the rear tire,and I pull 50 -55 Mpg!! I've put 25000 hard miles on her!! Love that bike! But love the smooth dyna, and in Comparison, it really is not as HOT as the sporty, per CC. Well my first reaction was to sell it, after I fix it. But I have a strong conscience and dont really want to stick somebody with problems. So I'll torque the heads(done) rider for a few hundred miles take the top ends apart again and check the torque again. I fear though that this problem will re-occur, to change studs, is kinda big job, but somthing I think I could handle. Maybe I'll check into S&S studs. Maybe I should call Axtell and ask what they recommend? I dont mind wreching, but what makes me po'd is I bought this bike to tour on take on long rides, and well...its not cutting the mustard... I guess I'll just have to buy a COP bike seat for the sportster and make it my little tour bike! sigh.... hahaha. Thanks again, and I'll keep you updated, also. I've thought of starting over. I have a friend who works in R&D and HD and he said, build a 95'' motor from scratch and try to sell the one I have now. Maybe that is good advice. I've ridden his wifes dyna with a hot little 95. does it have snot like mine....NO! but is it reliable? YES and pretty quick, WAY better than a stocker. And BTW. The guy who built my motor is Chad at Speedwerks in westbend WI. He's a busy guy and I cant see why! I shouldn't compare pizza to mechincals but at my family's Restaurant, if we mess up, we make right. Not every pizza at Joes..(Joesfoxhut.com) is perfect, just most!LOL! Thanks again guys!

Pizzaboy Mike

 

Customer service is customer service no matter what business you're in.

The guy didn't torque down the head bolts correctly and he's not wanting to make that right. You can certainly let the world know (like you're doing now) that this guy doesn't stand behind his quality or lack thereof.

You could also file a complaint with the BBB. I guarantee he'll listen then. I did that once and within an hour the president of the company I complained about called me to make things right.

 

I say put him in a head lock.....squeeze like hell and say "this is the proper head torque asssssssshoooooooole"!!!

 

I like that idea.

 

Ummm... Did you ask about warranty BEFORE you had him work on it? That would have been my first question.

 

That's a good one!!!!!!!!!! ROFLOL!!!

 

So I have this bike all together now. On start up it runs good, even drivable. Then when its warm blip the throttle and she dies. I never did anything with the carb. Whats with this? So basically all I did was change the head gaskets and now I have carb issues. I've tried running it with the gas tank cover off. Cause an old hot rodder friend of mine(car guy) said it sounds like a vaccum problem. But I'm pretty sure its not. Checked my fuel, plenty coming from tank to petcock. Removed the carb, took off the bowl and it was pretty clean, cleaned it some more, blew compressed air through it. changed gas lines to 5'16' line(was easier to work with). I'm lost. Should I be looking for a Harley Carb? But am worried about proper jetting. Is it possible I screwed somthing Mechincal up? I dont thinks so, like I said runs great, then when its warm, not good, it will seem to run forever on pilot jets. If you leave it alone, it'll run. Maybe I should be taking it in? I do appreciate you help on here.

Thanks,

Mike

 

Sounds like you have eliminated fuel as the culprit so I'd look at ignition electrics.

Years ago I had a similar problem and it ended up being resistance in the plug wires or plugs. Would run at low rpm's but not under a load or at higher rpm's. Check your ignition module, coil, plug wires, connections, etc.

 

So I broke down and had the local Harley dealer(open Road) pick the bike up. I wasn't convinced it was electrical or carb? So the guys were super cool. They picked it up at my house diagnosed the problem(head Gasket) and asked what I wanted to do. So I said would it be a problem if I fix it myself? So they help me load it up and didn't charge me a dime. I was on my way to work at the restaurant for my regular bartending shift, and thought, I should send those guys some pizza's.(we're a pizza joint). I believe strongly in Karma and not expecting anything for free. As it turns out, The parts lady who has been selling me lots of gaskets lately and boyfriend who's the head engine builder stop down to the bar and have a beer. Hey made new friends! and he assured me, that he thought I could make that motor reliable, just dont ask him to work on it on the side, cause his boss would'nt think its too cool. I under stood. Plus I like to do my own work anyhow. He browsed my parts list and said all the parts should work well together. Any how, I call up axtell to order new gaskets because I needed a new set. pull the rear cylinder head off and notice that the Intake and Exhaust studs are sticking up higher than the spark plug side studs. Peculier, so I pull the jug off, sure enough, the studs were pulled form the case. So I thought since its this far apart, I'd better check the front cylinder, the front cylinder same story. All four studs were over torqued and pulled from the case. I talk to my HD buddy in RD and he hooks me up with a Heli-coil kit and new studs, and stud nuts. So I drill and tap and heli-coil and put the engine and bike back together, and low and behold it works. I'm still not too trusting, but maybe I'll gain it back in time. Fingers crossed. Oh yeah, also my buddy said the guys at HD in the R&D department, said to try only torq the head nuts to 35, Axtell recommend 42, so I did 38 or 39 . Split the difference. Its been a real learning experience. Hope you like the Story, Funny how that Karma **** works.