Engine Mechanical Topics Discussion for motor builds, cams, head work, stripped bolts and other engine related issues. The good and the bad. If it goes round and around or up and down, post it here.

1.7 ratio rocker arms? Whats the deal?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 23, 2015 | 07:28 AM
  #1  
nottaway's Avatar
nottaway
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: NC
Default 1.7 ratio rocker arms? Whats the deal?

So I understand the difference between 1.6 and 1.7 ratio, I get the fundamentals of lever advantage ratio.

So my question is actually about the application to harley twin cam engines. Changing the ratio increases lift and the effective duration. However the centerline of the cam lobes stays the same. So the 'timing' of the cam is the same just increased lift and effective duration.

If one were starting from scratch ideally you would just get the cam with the lift, timing, duration, etc that you want but I am curious how they can be used with lower lift cams to get increased lift and duration. Say you already have the 1.7 roller rockers laying around.

I'm considering a set of 1.7s for my Tman 590 so lets use my configuration as an example:

1. Are they an effective tool across the board or are some cams best suited for this application?

2. Shoule I install on the intake and exhaust or just the intake?

3. What are the negatives of this type application?
 
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2015 | 10:20 AM
  #2  
motolocopat's Avatar
motolocopat
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 689
Likes: 6
From: Glen Rose TX
Default

From what I have read

1. Are they an effective tool across the board or are some cams best suited for this application? Some cams will benefit while other's probably not.. I think the stock epa cams are in the not category.

2. Shoule I install on the intake and exhaust or just the intake? Depends but for the most part both or just Intake. Most say when talking about OverSized Valves that the Twincams Intake is the key one.. obviously as you are trying to move up in power they both need it at some point. This thought seems to hold true for the Rockers as well.. get more air into the engine first, at least in the case of the Twincam

3. What are the negatives of this type application? I think mostly the same as Higher lift cams

One thread I'd seen says that Baisely will sell just Intake or Exhaust
 
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2015 | 01:07 PM
  #3  
Hillsidecycle.com's Avatar
Hillsidecycle.com
Sponsor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,084
Likes: 829
Default

.030" more lift, and aprrox. 2-3 degres more duration.
Some cams really like them, and others do not seem to.
S&S .585's and .570's, .510's, respond well, and Wood 6's do also.
Wood 9B's or the 9F's don't, just for instance.
Scott
 
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2015 | 01:44 PM
  #4  
djl's Avatar
djl
HDF Community Team
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,773
Likes: 2,603
From: san antonio
Community Team
Default

SE204s respond well to the 1.7 rockers on the intakes; can't speak to any others as those are the only ones I have worked with.
 
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2015 | 02:05 PM
  #5  
nottaway's Avatar
nottaway
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: NC
Default

Cool thanks for the replies.

I was working on a deal of used ones apparently it is not going to go through. If it does Guess I'll Call TR or Brandon and see if they know how the 590 works with the rockers.
 
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2015 | 02:13 PM
  #6  
Hillsidecycle.com's Avatar
Hillsidecycle.com
Sponsor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,084
Likes: 829
Default

Originally Posted by djl
SE204s respond well to the 1.7 rockers on the intakes; can't speak to any others as those are the only ones I have worked with.
Those do as well.
Client from Albany, NY has a set in a combo we did years ago.
Scott
 
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2015 | 01:35 AM
  #7  
martin10's Avatar
martin10
Road Warrior
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 520
From: VA
Default

Originally Posted by motolocopat
From what I have read

1. Are they an effective tool across the board or are some cams best suited for this application? Some cams will benefit while other's probably not.. I think the stock epa cams are in the not category.
Just curious why they would not work well on the epa cams? Have thought about doing this with stock cams as it cheap. But no use in doing it if no gain to be had.
 
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2015 | 06:23 AM
  #8  
98hotrodfatboy's Avatar
98hotrodfatboy
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,064
Likes: 7,591
From: Poolville
Default

Originally Posted by martin10
Just curious why they would not work well on the epa cams? Have thought about doing this with stock cams as it cheap. But no use in doing it if no gain to be had.
It's not that they won't work. There will be a slight improvement but not enough to warrant the work....The shorter duration or epa cams won't because it's more about the amount of time the valves are open. Longer duration cams benefit better from the lift because of the length of time that they are open to an extent as Scott noted. More fill..
 

Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; Dec 1, 2015 at 06:26 AM.
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 1, 2015 | 06:42 AM
  #9  
prodrag1320's Avatar
prodrag1320
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,569
Likes: 624
From: deland,florida
Default

if your going to do it,do your math & re check all clearances
 
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2015 | 11:00 AM
  #10  
HD Pilot's Avatar
HD Pilot
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,791
Likes: 57
From: N Texas
Default

I think the 590s have plenty of lift and duration for any 107" build. If you still need more hp/tq, then it's time to bore the cases.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:31 PM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE