Can the Average Joe install big bore kits?

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Aug 27, 2018 | 01:47 PM

#21

djl

HDF Community Team

Joined: Jun 2006

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From: san antonio

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePaintPirate

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.

Doesn't matter how many options one might have if one just commits to rolling up one's sleeves with a "gitter done" attitude. The down time can be avoided easily, can't speak for Fuel Moto but there are two sponsors of this forum that will send machined heads and cylinders, pistons fitted with rings gapped and the cam set specified by the customer. Customer agrees to pay a core charge for the cylinders and heads which is refunded when the provider receives the customer's hardware in good condition. Yeah, I guess you could call it a "kit" but it would be a "custom" kit, i.e., one developed based on a build plan which the provider will also assist with since the provider has the historical data on the various combinations they have provided to other customers over the years they can put together a package tailored to a customer specific bike and riding habits/style.

I had never worked on a Harley when I purchased my first but did have some mechanical skills from rebuilding a couple of small block Chevy motors and racing/maintaining three dirt bikes used for hare scrambles and enduros. Got the manual, had most of the tools and the first project was upgrading an 88" to a 95" and installing cam many years ago. Now there is nothing on the two bikes I own that I haven't, can't or won't repair; as it has been said, it's not rocket science.

I still think you should call our forum sponsors, chat them up and decide which makes the most sense for you to work with, develop a build plan and DIY the project. Same as the Fuel Moto option but without the down time and not an "off the shelf" package.JMHO.

Aug 27, 2018 | 04:29 PM

#22

fuelmoto

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From: Little Chute, WI

Fuel Moto has been a HDforums sponsor since nearly its inception. We have an extensive inventory of engine components; we typically have 50+ sets of heads & cylinders on hand and 100+ sets of assorted pistons on the shelf at any given time. We stock every Wood's cam grind as well as most popular cams from Cycle Rama, S&S, and Andrews as well and cam plates, oil pumps, lifters, pushrods etc. We offer everything from complete kits to custom combinations and have a dedicated staff that does nothing but assist customers with engines & tuning ready to assist with questions and support before & after the sale. We even have a specific department that specializes in the assembly, packaging, and shipping of engine kits to make sure everything gets to you securely. We also build & tune these engines day in day out at our facility for customers that travel from all over the country.

__________________

Jamie Long / Fuel Moto USA
The USA's Leader V-Twin EFI & Performance www.fuelmotousa.com
Contact 920-423-3309
Email jamie@fuelmotousa.com

Aug 27, 2018 | 10:22 PM

#23

F150HD

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Joined: Mar 2011

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From: Good roads, cold beer

Quote:

Originally Posted by strych9

Fuel Moto has videos on their website that can help you make that decision. These are for the twinkies, but the basic assembly is nearly the same. My professional opinion? A DIY can do this with basic tools plus a few exotic ones that are easy to get on a local level. If you're good with instructions, have a good working knowledge of basic engine assembly guidelines, it can be done.

https://university.fuelmotousa.com/h...o-107-Big-Bore

good link thanks for sharing.

Aug 27, 2018 | 10:24 PM

#24

F150HD

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Joined: Mar 2011

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From: Good roads, cold beer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Studlintsean

I will speak form the other side of the table. I am nowhere near mechanically inclined. It took me an hour to change the damn headlight bulb to LED (plug and play) and I am now dealing with a stripped derby cover bolt after doing my first 3-hole fluid change. Plan on doing a throttle and clutch cable lube and fixing derby cover this weekend . I would say I am good at following directions but always seem to F something up. I figure you gotta start somewhere and I am hoping it becomes easier over time.

Good luck

LOL....been there. Easy to drill out. I keep many of them bolts on hand as they get chewed up so easy....

Aug 27, 2018 | 10:42 PM

#25

TwiZted Biker

Club Member

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 66,126

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From: Niles Canyon Ca.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hillsidecycle.com

Sure, anyone that knows the mechanics of engines, can indeed install a big bore kit, once all the engineering, and machine prep work is completed, but there are details that WILL be overlooked, even with videos.
Scott

Here fixed that for you, these new ones have enough quirks even being an experienced mechanic I'd still be leary about missing or misreading something without a few under my belt first. Days of just slapping it together and going for it have gotten rather expensive for those little Oh ****'s ..........

Aug 28, 2018 | 11:26 AM

#26

djl

HDF Community Team

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 12,776

Likes: 2,607

From: san antonio

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwiZted Biker

Here fixed that for you, these new ones have enough quirks even being an experienced mechanic I'd still be leary about missing or misreading something without a few under my belt first.

Yeah? But there was a first, right? Gotta start somewhere.

Aug 28, 2018 | 11:38 AM

#27

Super Glidester

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Joined: Aug 2014

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From: 40.2444° N, 75.6419° W

I think it was George Carlin who said "think about how dumb the average guy is, and realize that half of all the people are dumber than that" Hopefully this answers the OP's question

Its like a non mechanic friend once said to me, "replacing brakes is easy" I said yeah, its also easy to screw that up.

Aug 29, 2018 | 09:37 AM

#28

ThePaintPirate

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Joined: Dec 2013

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From: SE Iowa

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super Glidester

I think it was George Carlin who said "think about how dumb the average guy is, and realize that half of all the people are dumber than that".

Carlin is one of the 3 Wise Men in my book next to Al Bundy and Red Green. In the same vein, he also said that many people are "dumber than a second coat of paint"

I may just end of leaving it alone for now and picking up a second bike to mess with, one that I'm not too worried about breaking and to sate my appetite for tinkering. I'm just too paranoid for my own good.

Last year I went down to Franklin IA (15 minutes away) for the annual Hell on Wheels Chopper Show and saw some chopper projects that were for sale dirt cheap. I might just try and pick one up.

http://www.chopcult.com/news/blogs/h...-12-00-13.html
http://www.chopcult.com/news/blogs/h...-12-00-21.html
http://www.chopcult.com/news/blogs/h...-12-10-17.html