A few years ago I decided I wanted to do some mods to my bike, a stock 97 FLSTC, and can now say that I have finally gotten everything needed and ready to go at the end of this riding season.

Bit of a story ... originally I wanted to do the upgrades myself so I could learn a bit with the help of someone who knew what they were doing. I looked around and found a mechanic who said he'd be happy to help me do the work. As a result, and after some research, I went out and bought all the parts that were needed (listed below). Haven't heard a word from that SOB mechanic since ......

So I end up with a porch full of parts with no way of getting them installed etc, until yesterday when I found a "real mechanic" (not a parts changer) who said he's do the work using my parts but couldn't do the engine work until the end of the season - which suits me as I don't loose any riding time.

So the mods/upgrades, whatever you want to call it all:


1. Andrews EV27 Grind Cam
2. S&S Cycle Hydraulic Tappet Set
3. S&S Cycle Quickee Push Rods for Evolution
4. S&S Cycle Camshaft Needle Bearing Assembly
5. Genuine James Cam Install Gasket Kit
6. Genuine James Pushrod Tube Cover Kit for Harley Big Twin 1984 - 1999
7. A set of Cam Shims as well
8. CV Carby rebuild kit
9. S&S Teardrop Air Cleaner
10. Vance and Hines Big Shot Staggered Exhaust
11. Vance and Hines Quiet Baffles
12. New Plugs and Leads
13. Probably other stuff I can't remember of the top of my head.

So I will be putting the Air Cleaner and Exhaust on in a couple of weeks but the engine work and Carby wont get done until the end of the riding season, probably Sep/Oct there abouts. And yes I know the Air Cleaner and Exhaust will have to come off for the cam work - so be it.

So bearing in mind I may have missed something in that list - what do you guys think?

 

Don't see no reason you can't do it yourself.. The only special tool will be the cam bearing puller... It's only a can upgrade.. Probably should do the ignition as well..

 

Unfortunately, I don't have the skills to do it - which is why I was (originally) looking for someone to help me with it.

 

Andrews EV27 likes a bump in compression.
Get some thinner head gaskets to help with that.
Some would say the EV13 would work better in your kind of bike.
But I guess you have done your homework and opted for the EV27 for a reason.

Get a good electronic ignition to assist with starting and to be able to choose the optimimal ignition curve.

How many miles on the bike?

You might wanna check the rotary breather valve in the cam chest.
It's not that expensive and the plastic might have gone brittle from age and heat...

 

The bike only has 20,000 so what I am doing is a choice not because it is needed. The bike runs nice as is, I just want it to run a bit better for longer trips.

 

That is as good a reason as any! 👍🏻

My Wide Glide will have work done to it for the same reason.

 

Thanks, I'll have the mechanic do that when we do the cam work.

I picked the EV27 because that was the one that most people seemed to think was going to be appropriate. Frankly, I'm still not all that sure what the difference is between the EV27 and the EV13.

 

The EV 27 is not a touring cam.. the 13 is...

 

Thanks for the very clear explanation - wish I had have had that BEFORE I was talked into the 27. So what will touring do to the EV27, or how exactly will the EV27 effect touring?

Sorry but riding is riding to me unless you want to Race, I mean taking the bike to the store is no different than taking a 400 mile ride - you go through the gears, reach a speed your comfortable with, sit back and enjoy things ...

 

It's the room range that the power starts to come in.. The EV13 will require less down shifting... The 27 is about 500 rpm later in the range@2800..