Sounds like my luck, but then again I like to fix things till they break.
To the OP, spend some time on ewe toob and get the service manual for your bike.
Familiarize yourself with the electronic version (ewe toob) and the book and give it a whirl, you may end up pleasantly surprised.
A good set of basic wrenches an inch pound torque and a foot pound torque wrench will be invaluable and the bearing pullers for the cam(s) can be sourced via the swap section.
Maybe someone local who wrenches might chime in and offer up a lift and a learning event too.
Or ask around local who works on their bike who might assist for compensation within reason on working with you on your bike???
Save the six pack for after the work has been completed cause diving back in after several wobbly pops might not be a good option.
Rob

 

I hear what you're saying. It's comical the pride I take in showing off the gas cap cover I replaced [remove and replace 2 screws] or the fairing lights I installed [drill a hole, plug & play the wiring and stick the strips to the fairing]. My next major accomplishment will be doing my own oil change. It will probably take 2-3 days just so I don't overfill on the first add.

 

Unless you're thinking that you''d like to make a hobby of DIY'ing your repairs and mods, and if money isn't an issue, I suggest you pay a pro to do it, and spend that time doing something that you love. One simple mistake could lead to big headaches, and one task performed that you didn't feel confident about could linger in your mind for thousands of riding miles.

 

It's a top end job that requires cam and T/B to be replaced. Quite doable even for the first timer so long as the first timer is patient, diligently follows instructions, understands that cleanliness is very important, has the proper tools and service manual and understands that Murphy is ever present. Read the applicable sections of the service manual several times while familiarizing yourself with the various components that must be removed and replaced. Before starting, get organized, i.e., tools, new parts, etc. Know how you will organize all the nuts, bolts and OEM parts that will have to be reinstalled with the new kit; bag and tag if necessary to avoid mixing up or losing stuff. Study the procedure so you will know and can order the bits and pieces, i.e., gaskets, o-rings, thread locker, etc. that may not be included in the kit so you have them on hand.

Having said all that but stepping back a bi, I would ask the OP what his goal is and whether or not the goal can be achieved another way? I am thinking that with a good set of ported heads, matched up with a new set of .010" over CP pistons to establish a true cylinder bore, the SE 58mm throttle body and a new cam set, the OP can achieve the same goal for the same, perhaps even, less money particularly since the OP is considering taking on the project himself. Of course, there is no 117 badge to display by going that route. We have two forum sponsors could provide the machine work as well as help the OP with cam selection for a set of parts that play well together. The HD 117 kit might make 115/115 numbers but going the other route, the 110 rebuild could easily make 120/125 numbers.

As for paying a professional, that has not always worked out for some forum members. I am fortunate to have two true professionals in my orbit should I ever decide to let someone else work on either of my bikes but all of us are not that fortunate. Before the OP makes that decision, he must be absolutely sure that the professional is a true professional that can guide the OP in making good decisions and that will stand behind his work. To summarize and JMHO, pass on the HD kit, develop a build plan with one of our forum sponsors, identify a competent tuner (hopefully near by) and plan to DIY the project.

The OP did not mention addressing the bottom end, exhaust or fuel management; all important and should not be overlooked int the overall plan.

 

I'd say if you are mechanically inclined, yes, you can certainly do it yourself. Take your time, be organized, follow the instructions, and have your torque wrench handy. If the manual specifies a torque, use the torque wrench. Don't improvise - follow the steps in order. Have a friend or other mechanically inclined person on call in case you get stuck. Stay sober (ish) while doing the work. Don't try to do an "all-nighter"; take breaks, etc.

If all of that sounds like too much worry, I'd just pay someone. I've done all this myself many years ago, and honestly, now I can afford to pay someone else to do it, and I spend my time pursuing other hobbies rather than weekends on the lift.

 

I say go for it. The personal satisfaction of having done it yourself is a great thing. These engines are really pretty simple machines once you get into them. If you can read a service manual and follow directions you can do the job. Build it and have fun with it.

 

I've always been a do it myself kind of guy but a job like this is worth paying the shop to do just for the warranty and peace of mind in knowing that if they make a mistake it's on them and not you. An older bike sure why not, but now on a newer machine that costs a lot of money.

Just my .02.

 

I just did mine the number one thing was clean and organized. Which I did. The other thing was only do it by yourself. Lock the shop door behind you. No help. It will turn out. Take your time. Be patient that's my .02

 

And dented the lifter bores.

I'm with DJL. There just isn't any "kit" from HD I'm interested in. Any boring I have done is completed by someone who knows what they're doing and they have the pistons (good ones) in their hand. They're also going to port the heads for desired outcome. If it has to come apart, I leave no stone unturned.

 

In the cornfields of Iowa, there are very few resources besides dealers to get the job done, we don't have options like the big city folk do. There's one performance shop near Des Moines that another forum member has used with good results. I've thought about just sending my heads into FuelMoto and having them machined, but while the turnaround time is 2 weeks, with a downed bike you might as well just do the kit, and then it turns into an "if you give a mouse a cookie" situation. Bike currently has Cobra 2-1 exhaust and Power Vison tuner.

And that's the main reason I'm considering having a shop do it.