Dyna Glide Models Super Glide, Super Glide Sport, Super Glide Custom, Dyna Glide Convertible, Super Glide T-Sport, Dyna Glide Police, Dyna Switchback, Low Rider, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Wide Glide.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

How much is too much?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 1, 2014 | 09:54 PM
  #1  
rgr357's Avatar
rgr357
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 389
Likes: 9
From: MT
Default How much is too much?

Talking myself into doing some upgrades & not sure how far I can take it without having to get into bottom end work.

I've been bouncing back & forth on just putting a bolt on cam (SE204) or doing more with it. Was thinking I would just do it all at once and go with the SE Pro Stage IV (92500005) on my 2014 in sig. That way compression, heads, cam, valves all done & work as they should together. (dont want to increase displacement).

I've been advised that it wouldn't be wise to do this w/out also getting into the bottom end and welding the crank etc. which is just not possible.

I guess I'm wondering if this is sound advise?

If it is, I have a couple options. 1) drop a bolt in cam and call it good. (most likely the 204/54H 2) find some other combo??? 57H? or woods 5-6
 
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2014 | 11:32 PM
  #2  
latrobedyna's Avatar
latrobedyna
Tourer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 365
Likes: 1
From: under a rock in the swamp
Default

SE stage 4 is fine no need to pin and weld the crank. Although even stock it never a bad idea to do that.
 
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2014 | 12:10 AM
  #3  
mirrmu's Avatar
mirrmu
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,368
Likes: 27
From: Australia
Default

Hi,

Got mates here in Aus who have the stage4 in their fatbobs and they ride them hard and for many kms with ease,

Like you rgr357 i wondering whether just cams will satisfy me or wait a bit, save the $ and go the stage4 kit straight up

Thanks
Mirrmu
 
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2014 | 04:31 AM
  #4  
target64's Avatar
target64
Stellar HDF Member
10 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 50
From: Rouses Point, N.Y.
Default

find a builder have head work done, fitted to a cam that meets your needs
set up for correct compression . you will have a lot better setup and will cost you less money. and you will be very happy.
 
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2014 | 12:02 PM
  #5  
rgr357's Avatar
rgr357
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 389
Likes: 9
From: MT
Default

target64: I'd probably go that route but no local performance shops to speak of.

The SE Pro Stage IV takes the guess work out of it for matching heads, porting/valves, compression etc. for a otherwise stock 103. The real question I have is at what point do you need to pin & weld the crank? I get that it would be better in any case, but know there must be some general accepted understanding.

Yes I want more out of it, but want to stay withing the accepted norm for not sacrificing reliability with this type of top end work. Not trying to make a drag bike, just fun street bike.

Makes financial sense to do cam & other top end work all at once.
 
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2014 | 01:38 PM
  #6  
HD Pilot's Avatar
HD Pilot
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,791
Likes: 57
From: N Texas
Default

Buy the Feuling Crank run-out tool and measure your run-out, you will have to take the cam plate off but if you want to get into engine building then go for it. IMHO a crank run-out of about .006" or less for what you are talking about is fine, above .006" then go get your crank fixed. There are a ton of differing opinions on all this crank run-out stuff so read up, and good luck!
 
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2014 | 07:47 PM
  #7  
rgr357's Avatar
rgr357
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 389
Likes: 9
From: MT
Default

Well that's what I'm saying, I don't want to do it.

I do want to upgrade the top end, but want to stop before bottom end is more of a requirement. Does a 103 with a stage 4 push it to the point where you need to do the bottom end work.

I imagine it comes down to what kind of numbers the bottom will reasonably hold up to?
 
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2014 | 08:55 PM
  #8  
HD Pilot's Avatar
HD Pilot
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,791
Likes: 57
From: N Texas
Default

You want to know if your bottom end is good enough without checking the run-out? That is the best data you can have on what you can do. Even if all I was going to do was change cams, I would still want to check it. It will give you a major indication of the health of your bottom end and reference point if you have an issue or decide to upgrade the engine again.

Now a lot of people do big upgrades and never check, but you need to know that you are taking a risk - a risk that is relatively easy to avoid. The tool is about $100 and you could probably sell it for $80, so $20 plus some shipping $.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 2, 2014 | 09:04 PM
  #9  
dirtdobber's Avatar
dirtdobber
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 16
From: sand mountain Alabama
Default

I think you are not understanding what alansummrs means.
I always suggest to have the run out checked before doing anything. It doesn't cost that much but may save you a lot of $$ in the long run.

I would rather be safe than sorry later on.
 
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2014 | 01:35 PM
  #10  
rgr357's Avatar
rgr357
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 389
Likes: 9
From: MT
Default

Originally Posted by alansummrs
You want to know if your bottom end is good enough without checking the run-out? That is the best data you can have on what you can do. Even if all I was going to do was change cams, I would still want to check it. It will give you a major indication of the health of your bottom end and reference point if you have an issue or decide to upgrade the engine again.

Now a lot of people do big upgrades and never check, but you need to know that you are taking a risk - a risk that is relatively easy to avoid. The tool is about $100 and you could probably sell it for $80, so $20 plus some shipping $.
Understood, I have read about the tolerances required before going to a gear driven cam.

Haven't heard of it in terms of a general health check, but it stands to reason the further out the more susceptible you might be.

Not going to a gear driven cam, but Ill add it to my list of things to check, at least I will know for future work or reference. So are you saying, under a .006 would likely be ok? I thought the reason behind the bottom end work was to 1) fix the tolerances required for gear driven cams, 2) make it stronger so you dont twist or otherwise break things. which #2 is why I inquire.

Maybe I'm going about asking the question the wrong way. For those who have gone into the bottom end for the sake of pining and welding, what were the motivating factors?
 

Last edited by rgr357; Mar 3, 2014 at 01:42 PM.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:04 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE