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Looking for some insight. i have been working on this project bike for a while and seem to be stalled. I have a 97 springer that has been really worked over through the years. it is about 70% restored, if you ignore the motor being a revtech. Currently the goal is to get it running well enough to be able to ride around town. Currently the problem is a lack of power at what i would consider normal operating RPMs and that is based on sound. it is very hesitant and has a little puffing and spitting until you wind it out until it sounds like it is going to about blow up, then it takes off like a scaleded ape. Alot of noise sounds like the top of the motor, cant tell if its lifters, valves or just the way a Revtech sounds. I have replaced the chinese cv carb with a mikuni 42, ignitiion and coil with an S&S kit and it has gotten better but still not really reliable. I am wide open to suggestions please dont throw down replace the engine. I know eventually that is in the works i would like to get this one running first.... What we started with This is after the paint restoration After paint.
Last edited by 97SpringerResto; Jul 15, 2025 at 08:24 AM.
Reason: spelling
Consider doing a compression check? Not sure how you can check lifters short of removing them. Adjustable pushrods? Adjusted correctly? Adjustable pushrods will make it easier to check the lifters...Any metal in the oil? Vacuum leak? Just throwing stuff out there...
Compression- first check the valve adjustments and lifter bleed down thoroughly. Like mentioned try to do a compression test. Do a CCA and after warm maybe do a leak down if you have the tools and skills. (From your brief description, lifters are highly suspect)
Spark- check at the spark plugs grounded. Re-do the static timing, get it close.
Gas- make sure you see gas inside the throttle when you twist the throttle. Remove and clean the petcock, replace the fuel line to the carb. I know little about Mikuni except I don’t like them, but go back to factory suggested settings.
At the end of the day you said “Don’t tell me to replace the motor” so I won’t say, replace the motor. I’m a big fan of finding inexpensive parts that work well. I’ve built successful motors that punched way above their weight with very inexpensive but carefully chosen parts. But I will never use a revtech part. I wont work on them for others either. Every single time without exception that I’ve been around or involved in a revtech motor I have been completely un-impressed.
For example I’ve run 13:1 5” stroke shovels at 6500 rpm with Dixie cylinders. I love Ultima before they went under.. and yet I wouldn’t run a free Revtech motor.
Last edited by Rains2much; Jul 15, 2025 at 12:56 PM.
From a distance it is rather difficult to provide much guidance with the description provided.
As mentioned above: Timing, Spark and Fuel are important.
As a general guess...
If timing is not correct then low end RPM could suffer significantly.
Your description: Lack of power at what i would consider normal operating RPMs and that is based on sound.
Hesitant and has a little puffing and spitting until you wind it out until it sounds like it is going to about blow up, then it takes off like a scalded ape.
Alot of noise sounds like the top of the motor, cant tell if its lifters, valves or just the way a Revtech sounds.
You replaced the chinese cv carb with a mikuni 42, ignitiion and coil with an S&S kit and it has gotten better but still not really reliable.
Hey this may sound like too simple… but check your battery ground. I don’t care if it feels tight, remove, wire brush, reinstall and tighten. A ground can cause the very symptoms you’re describing.
Good info will impliment thanks for not mentioning replacing the motor. 8-(D) sometime in the future should i happen across an evo i will probably replace then probably have to review all these things again. But besides riding what fun is there if you dont wrench on it....
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