I was reading some where about what are other differences in the 117/124 other than few cubic inches and power/torque. For a everyday driver, touring, long halls, stop and go rush hour traffic,which would you do? So if anyone wants to post facts here so we all will finally know, please do so. I read that if you do a lot of slow speed riding , Like down town and parades , the 124 does not like that. Just what I read.

 

117 don't like slow riding ether

 

The 117" is a tuned engine, with Fuel Moto being a builder of them. They market them for touring bikes and are also an HDF sponsor, so I suspect will happily answer your queries on that subject. There are also a few owners on HDF.

The popular 124" is by S&S and is now available in two states of tune. I seriously looked into installing one a few years ago and was told very firmly that it wasn't suitable for a touring bike. However that was the high CR version, whereas the new low CR version has milder cams and seems to be more suitable for touring bikes. Again, we have a few owners of them.

My S&S 107" has the same cam as the 124LC, which makes that version very appealing - now if I could only afford one......

 

crate S&S 124 either high comp 10.8 or low 10.1 with 585 cams will run cooler than a stock motor - and can handle a variety of situations -- an oil cooler is a must -

 

Either engine tuned correctly will have good manners, junglejoe.
A good oil cooler will keep things in check on either.
A 124" will have more torque on tap sooner, all else same/same.
We have a client in Syracuse, NY, with a carbed 124" that has over 137,000 on it.
We've also tracked a few of our 117" we've built from years ago that are out there with 45,000-55,000 miles on them.
Neither is a weakling, set up correctly.
Scott

 

What would be the maximum compression be that I could run and not be worried for everyday. I usually go overboard and just build the hell out of stuff. It's easier to have a race motor versus a high horsepower "street motor" .. there is that fine line that I don't want to cross on this one. Yeah it would be great to have a 150-160 hp bagger.. but uh.. I don't want to be freshening it up every couple years.

 

You asked for specifics, they are both 4.125 bore, the 117 is a 4 3/8th stroke and the 124 is a 4 5/8th stroke (most common) They can both be a great motor but the key is building the motor around your application and fuel availability. the 117 will have a slower piston speed based on the stroke given the same rpm. Either can be built to be reliable and last long term as long as you keep the temp in check. Cost wise there is probably not a huge difference.

 

Just like with any motor.it really depends on how & to what degree its built.we do alot of 124" builds from very mild to very aggresive.my personal 2002 RG has a 124" I built.very mild.very dependable (129/136).S&S. .570's @ 10.01.IMOthough.i wouldnt do ANY air cooled motor in parades & stuff

 

Not the mechanical compression but rather the cold cranking compression.
A 117" with either a Wood 9F, or T-Man 662-2, set at 11.0 cr will not act up in the heat, and have characteristics/power of some 124" combos.
Scott

 

I don't do any parades ever. However rush hour traffic, it's sometimes grid lock! I try to avoid it but it just doesn't work out all the time. The idea of having a 124 sounds good. Do I need a 124? No. I don't need a 117 either. I have been reading on what others do are doing with what motors.. more than likely I'll stick to my plan 117. I like the idea of the slower piston speed. Which has to be less rod angle on the cyl. walls?