Dazed & Confused
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
From: Central Arkansas
You've asked several specialists for their recommendations and now you're talking to us as well! I'm not sure that we can add much, except some of us will be able to offer yet more options, such as a 124". The more you read, the more difficult you may find it to decide on a suitable solution. What you can be sure of is that if you build your engine to a proven spec, you can expect to get the performance your chosen specialist has achieved for other customers.
So rather than agonising over which cam to go with and their supposed short-comings, chose a proven formula that gives the torque curve you prefer (it's torque that does the talking!). I have an S&S 585 cam in my 107" and I can assure you it runs like a steam engine, from around 1500rpm in fifth, with a pretty flat torque curve. I have a low CR of mid 9s, that cam only comes on late when used with higher CRs IMHO.
So rather than agonising over which cam to go with and their supposed short-comings, chose a proven formula that gives the torque curve you prefer (it's torque that does the talking!). I have an S&S 585 cam in my 107" and I can assure you it runs like a steam engine, from around 1500rpm in fifth, with a pretty flat torque curve. I have a low CR of mid 9s, that cam only comes on late when used with higher CRs IMHO.
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
From: Central Arkansas
You're right Dave. I just got to second guessing looking at dynos.
Time for me to just let them do what they do.
Got a couple more rallies and rides planned. Then I guess I'll pull the trigger.
Time for me to just let them do what they do.
Got a couple more rallies and rides planned. Then I guess I'll pull the trigger.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,956
Likes: 439
From: florida
Ya dyno charts can make u nuts, they aren't always a reliable consistent source either. You described what your wish list is on the build, they will deliver. On a heavy wheeled softail 107 if it can come on early and hit the 120 tq range it will be all that. 
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,953
Likes: 28
From: Houston, TX
you decide what to do yet??
I know the want more, and more, and more, and more feeling.....
I went from a 80" Evo to a stock 103" and thought I was riding a rocket... even more of a rocket after stage I..... Then went to 255 cams, thought I had a drag bike..... then it wasn't enough... went to 777's, and thought it was perfect.... for a couple of months lol
Finally bit the bullet and started a build. Had Wolfgang near Houston do a set of heads and they sat in the closet for a year while I saved for other parts....
He doesn't like to do big power on stock crankshafts, so we bought an S&S crankshaft.... so, if you are tearing the case apart, might as well bore it, right? We went back and forth between 117 and 124.... ended up settling on 124...
Honestly, probably overkill and excessive - but hopefully this time I won't be wanting more after a couple months
I know the want more, and more, and more, and more feeling.....
I went from a 80" Evo to a stock 103" and thought I was riding a rocket... even more of a rocket after stage I..... Then went to 255 cams, thought I had a drag bike..... then it wasn't enough... went to 777's, and thought it was perfect.... for a couple of months lol
Finally bit the bullet and started a build. Had Wolfgang near Houston do a set of heads and they sat in the closet for a year while I saved for other parts....
He doesn't like to do big power on stock crankshafts, so we bought an S&S crankshaft.... so, if you are tearing the case apart, might as well bore it, right? We went back and forth between 117 and 124.... ended up settling on 124...
Honestly, probably overkill and excessive - but hopefully this time I won't be wanting more after a couple months
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
From: Central Arkansas
I haven't really thought about it lately. It drives me crazy when I do. The more I think about it the more confused I get as to what I want or need.
I've got a few more rides planned. Definitely not doing like last year and missing out riding in this beautiful weather.
That gives me more time to try and decide the route.
I think if I got numbers somewhere between 120 and 130 I would be happy but I'm not really looking for numbers if that makes sense. I just want a little more power and a lot more aggressive build.
If I go 107" I'll probably kick myself in the butt for not going larger but I don't know that I need to go as large as 124". Thought of maybe going somewhere in between.
I'm pretty sure if I keep my Radial Sweepers I won't gain much power with a 107". I will however have a nice overcammed engine that puts down some nice power.
Not sure if you're familiar with the Breakout, but it comes with a stock 240 rear tire. Not many exhausts are made for it or recommended. I've never been much on 2-1 exhaust, but if I used one I would go with the D&D Bobcat. It is one of the few options available for my bike.
Not sure my thoughts translate to a street mannered bike, a reliable bike, or even a nice build but I will speak to my builder and let him do what he does. Ultimately he knows what's best and his thoughts do translate to a great build.
I've got a few more rides planned. Definitely not doing like last year and missing out riding in this beautiful weather.
That gives me more time to try and decide the route.
I think if I got numbers somewhere between 120 and 130 I would be happy but I'm not really looking for numbers if that makes sense. I just want a little more power and a lot more aggressive build.
If I go 107" I'll probably kick myself in the butt for not going larger but I don't know that I need to go as large as 124". Thought of maybe going somewhere in between.
I'm pretty sure if I keep my Radial Sweepers I won't gain much power with a 107". I will however have a nice overcammed engine that puts down some nice power.
Not sure if you're familiar with the Breakout, but it comes with a stock 240 rear tire. Not many exhausts are made for it or recommended. I've never been much on 2-1 exhaust, but if I used one I would go with the D&D Bobcat. It is one of the few options available for my bike.
Not sure my thoughts translate to a street mannered bike, a reliable bike, or even a nice build but I will speak to my builder and let him do what he does. Ultimately he knows what's best and his thoughts do translate to a great build.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,953
Likes: 28
From: Houston, TX
Thanks.....
Yeah, I'm familiar with the Breakout - AWESOME bike.... looks crazy aggressive and fast when it's just on the kick stand :-)
I know exactly what you are saying... I honestly think I could have been happy with a well built 107 - but my builder scared me about lots of power on a stock crankshaft... he just HIGHLY advised putting in a S&S crankshaft.... and I could not let him split the case without boring it out.... just seemed to make sense...
I know what you mean about missing the riding season... I put mine in the shop a few weeks ago because Houston has been too dang hot to ride - but now it is cooling off some and I'm ready to get out on the road!!
Good luck with the build...
Yeah, I'm familiar with the Breakout - AWESOME bike.... looks crazy aggressive and fast when it's just on the kick stand :-)
I know exactly what you are saying... I honestly think I could have been happy with a well built 107 - but my builder scared me about lots of power on a stock crankshaft... he just HIGHLY advised putting in a S&S crankshaft.... and I could not let him split the case without boring it out.... just seemed to make sense...
I know what you mean about missing the riding season... I put mine in the shop a few weeks ago because Houston has been too dang hot to ride - but now it is cooling off some and I'm ready to get out on the road!!
Good luck with the build...
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
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 164
From: Home
This is the process I went through before settling on a 107" build.
What is your riding style?
Where is the engine rpm sitting at most?
How many miles do you want to get out of your existing engine / bike?
What is your riding style?
Where is the engine rpm sitting at most?
How many miles do you want to get out of your existing engine / bike?