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.

Deciding on Cams

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 2, 2016 | 11:47 AM
  #21  
Breakout110's Avatar
Breakout110
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 153
Likes: 16
From: Chicago Burbs
Default



Stock head and springs off a 103B
 
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2016 | 12:59 PM
  #22  
mirrmu's Avatar
mirrmu
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,368
Likes: 27
From: Australia
Default

Originally Posted by Little Mike
I ended up putting 255's in my 103. Passes north of 100 ft/lbs from 2400 rpm through 46-4700 rpm. falls off quick after that. Except for the SE Hi-flow A/C, a decatted head pipe, and a set of Klock Werks slip-ons it's stock. I could spend more on other upgrades that would increase the numbers and run it out a bit further but the $$ for them isn't really there and, to be honest, I just don't wind it up that tight anymore. Two up with the wife 95+% of the time and pull a trailer a couple times a year with camping gear. What I do have is all the usable power that's available from the 255's right where I need it, at the bottom end to get our bottom ends and the heavy bike scooting, and where I spend almost 100% of my time. The bike settles in nicely right about 3100 rpm at cruising speed which still gives me room to roll on for passing. The other cam recommended to me by the tuner was the 48. I went with the 255 because I was able to get a set of new take offs for $150.
Spot on
 
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2016 | 02:15 PM
  #23  
cdonis's Avatar
cdonis
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 297
From: Escalon ca
Default

Originally Posted by Breakout110
SE-204
Works well with stock heads and springs.
The cams you mentioned require spring up grade.
I'm running stock springs with 585 lift. No problems yet.
 
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2016 | 10:34 AM
  #24  
djl's Avatar
djl
HDF Community Team
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,774
Likes: 2,606
From: san antonio
Community Team
Default

Originally Posted by Breakout110
What's the seat pressure on the stock beehives on a 103? don't think we are taking about the same beehive springs... There is a different High Perf. spring userd in the SE110 that's a beehive also. Installed at 208lbs on the seat.
Stock beehives on 96/103 motor are about 135# on the seat; 325# at full lift on stock cams which is shy of .500". Five years back, the conventional "wisdom" was that stock springs were acceptable up to .560" lift and .575" lift was the break point where stronger springs were required. About that time, Mr. Woods changed his break point for stiffer springs to .590" lift and we all know that his cams are known for the aggressive ramps.

JMHO but stiffer springs add to valve train noise and also beat up valve seats and unless one is drag racing or constantly running up against the rev limiter and needs to control valves at high rpms, OEM springs will get the job done without that added angst. Most of the motor configurations we see discussed on this forum will do just fine with OEM beehives and the OP's motor with Andrews 48 cams just doesn't need stiffer springs. No issue with anyone that wants to install stiffer springs, I just don't subscribe.

I have seen guys come into a local indy shop after insisting on stiffer valve springs only to return a few weeks later complaining of valve train noise. The indy replaces the stiffer springs with the OEM beehives, problem solved. Motor runs just as good, and owner is happy.

NOTE: My reference to "conventional wisdom" refers to valve spring rate discussions from different HD forums over the years and I make no claim to the accuracy of "conventional wisdom" but the posts I paid attention to were those posted by reputable builders/porters........
 

Last edited by djl; Dec 3, 2016 at 10:39 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2016 | 09:16 AM
  #25  
94 ultra's Avatar
94 ultra
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 714
Likes: 53
Default

Originally Posted by Hillsidecycle.com
For plug and play application, neither, as both intake closing numbers dictate that they need more compression to be fully effective.
Andrews 48 is your man.
Scott
What about on the stock Twin Cooled motors that have a bit more compression?
Andrews 48 or 57?
Or would the Woods 222 or 555 be ok then?
 
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2016 | 09:42 AM
  #26  
Breakout110's Avatar
Breakout110
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 153
Likes: 16
From: Chicago Burbs
Default

Thanks for the info djl. I do have the upgraded springs and yes the valve train is much more pronounced as you might hear at idle before this little wot romp.
I do ride hard with a few Victory and other HD riders.
 
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2016 | 02:19 PM
  #27  
98hotrodfatboy's Avatar
98hotrodfatboy
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,095
Likes: 7,622
From: Poolville
Default

Sounds Pretty Good man.....
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2017 | 09:54 PM
  #28  
Rumblin's Avatar
Rumblin
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 582
Likes: 53
From: Greenville, SC
Default

Just a follow up on the bolton cam job recently just finished and dyno'd on my '16 Sultra Classic. Did it all myself! Sorry no pics. I work so slow without taking pics too, lol. Hillside recommended the Andrews 47h. Installed them with the right stuff, no head work, FM header, V&H 4" slipons and March2 AC. Seems to run pretty good so far around town. I'll have it on the highway this weekend but I think I'll be quite satisfied. Least for awhile.


 
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
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
user 78082023840
Engine Mechanical Topics
27
Apr 16, 2018 12:39 AM
CDFXD
Dyna Glide Models
13
Jul 3, 2013 01:09 AM
Ryan8585
Touring Models
12
Apr 23, 2013 12:54 PM
jlasoftail
Exhaust System Topics
5
Jul 28, 2012 08:35 PM
stro1965
Touring Models
29
Aug 28, 2008 07:17 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:39 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