I don`t know about now,but in`02 S&S only had 2 engine builders.I`d think it`s the same still.All these assembled motors in all these catalogs and in cookie-cutter choppers are kits assembled elsewhere.The parts lack nothing and it all depends on who builds them.I had mine built to my specs by S&S because all the catalogs offer different configurations that vary in one way or another with no options to deviate.I know,it`s hard to believe,but that`s what she told me and if one starts it he finishes it.Mine took something like 4-5 months to get.It`s everything I wanted and nothing I didn`t and I`m very pleased.I only have 16,000 on it so far.Other issues and lack of funds since this depression hit have hindered my ability to tackle things as they occur,leaving it sit from time to time.

 

Is anyone riding big inch motors because of Ultima? There are alot of broke down big inch Ultima's on here. We just took a very low milage Ultima to the shop this afternoon for yet another issue, and it has been one issue after another since day one.

If anyone I knew even thought about getting an Ultima motor I'd hit them upside their head.

 

Your statement IMHO is right on the money. With my hopped up 85" EVO and Baker 6 speed I run 85mph @ about 2800-2900rpm. There is still plenty of throttle left in 6th, not to mention downshifting if I have to. My FXR does not have the best traffic and around town manners due to the cam profile, but she really sings on the Intertate. Close to 40mpg at speed, but much less in traffic. Oh well, when you have so much invested what's a few more bucks in gas?? I've been contemplating going to a 100"-113" Ultima, but need a bunch more feedback from you guys before pulling the trigger. Being in Florida, Miacycles is really to far away in New York to help. John Sachs is supposed to know his way around these Ultimas as well and he's on our east coast. When the timing and finances are right, we'll see what happens.

 

Nice read and learned a bit too. I guess as I get older (whopping 38), I have lost the interest to mod out my daily drivers. I have a completely stock 96 FLHT and after reading this it will most likely stay that way other then radio and seat. I came from a VRod that I never hardly cracked over 3k rpm. This thing runs 70 all day and has a nice pur to it. I ride everyday its not snowing or raining too regaurdless of outside temps. Its kinda like my 95 crew F350 7.3 turbo, 4x4. People keep asking me if I am going to hotrod and lift it. I just laugh since it has 188k flawless miles and still runs and drives like new. If your gonna play, at some point you gotta pay. I would be pretty hot though though if I got anything less then 20k out of a 4k motor unless I was hard on it. Great info though guys. I love this sight.

 

ive got a 127" in my `97 FLH,no probs.but we get them unassembled and assemble them in house,by the way coltsfan,if your ever down in the bloomington area,stop in and say hi
kirby
vee twin racing
5810 w sr46
bloomington

 

That's interesting. We have seen around HDF that some builders strip and rebuild Ultimas or other brands of engine. Roughly how many hours do you put into a rebuild and do you replace any of the supplied parts?

 

Normally we pull the cylinders and cam. The short block will stay together unless we feel it needs to come apart. This usually takes about 6 hours to teardown, inspect and reassemble. We've foubd all kinds of things over the years like too much piston clearance, a ring missing (yep that's right!!) to wrist pin circlips not installed right. Usually we buy it unassembled if possible. If we find a part that is suspect we will replace it and send the suspect part back. By doing this we can feel secure about any warranty and it helps the supplier by letting him know that some of the parts he is receiving may be out of spec.
Then we will do the heat cycles and take it out for a ride to help seat the rings before we turn it over to the customer. Remember when a customer wants engine work or a bigger engine it's not just to go out and putt around. There are customers that feel that they should be able to ride it like they stole it 24-7. That's why we do what we do. It may cost a little now but we save a lot later both in cash and reputation.

 

Maybe if Ultima sold engines as boxes of parts it would help their reputation.It sounds like a teardown and careful inspection,maybe an upgrade or two can make for a 1/2 decent motor...if the eye can tell a bad part.I`d certainly be mic`n out the whole thing.IMO,an engine company should be selling a bolt-in motor or just be a parts company.That`s how S&S started out.It was many decades before they billed themselves as a seller of complete assembled engines.

 

Thanks John, that gives us a better idea of what it takes to turn an Ultima into a goer! You mention 'over the years'. Have they improved noticeably of late? Is there any reason for a potential buyer to be more optimistic about Ultima today than when they first came on the scene?

When I had my S&S 107 installed my man did the first 50 miles himself, so that sounds like 'good practice' for any new motor. We are planning a 2,500 mile round trip to Poland on it in May!

 

By "over the years" I meant all the manufacturers(TP, Merch, S&S, Etc). However Ultima works very hard at putting a quality, low cost product on the market. When they had problems with pistons they changed manufacturers and fixed it. They had problems with the six speeds "wedding band seal" leaking, investigated the problem, had the assemblers change the way the seals were installed and fixed that problem too. They are a progressive company that is trying hard to make their customers happy and that is shown by the way they warranty problems that are out of warranty.
One of the biggest problem we have found with any engine is improper break in and of course no customer admits to that. The average customer want to try out the engine and causes damage. That's why we do the heat cycles and uaually put the first 50+ miles on the bike and change the oil before giving it back to the customer. Another thing that we are really fussy about is cylinder finish. If you are interseted in learning about cylinder finish I would reccomend that you contact Brush Research Manufacturing at www.brushresearch.com or www.flex-hone.com and ask for their literature on cylinder finish. By following their reccomendations we improved cylinder sealing which improved torque, horsepower, leakdown, and oil consumption. Well I could go on and on about cylinder finish, but I will save that for another post. Hope this helps.