Upgrade questions
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 550
Likes: 8
From: Twin Cities,Mn.
I put the EV27 cam in mine with a new bearing and adjustable pushrods. Best upgrade I could have made!! Runs like a swiss watch and pulls strong! I took her on a 1600 mile road trip and she LOVED doing 70-80 down the freeway!
I like the behaviors of the evo motor with the cam MUCH better than my twin cam bagger! It pulls just the way I like it and has a whole different feel to it! My Twinkie is also cammed.
You can have very little gear noise if you swap out your old gear onto your new cam.(I had NO new gear noise with mine!)
I like the behaviors of the evo motor with the cam MUCH better than my twin cam bagger! It pulls just the way I like it and has a whole different feel to it! My Twinkie is also cammed.
You can have very little gear noise if you swap out your old gear onto your new cam.(I had NO new gear noise with mine!)
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,008
Likes: 463
the piston change happened in the 85-86 timeframe, you should be fine with an 89.
My 85 had flat tops (no valve cut outs). It was a great excuse to put in KB 9.5 pistons/rings, along with the EV 27. Also did SE pushrods, harley B lifters, intake/exhaust valves and springs, and S&S E.
It runs great.
Your friends don't know what they are talking about.
My 85 had flat tops (no valve cut outs). It was a great excuse to put in KB 9.5 pistons/rings, along with the EV 27. Also did SE pushrods, harley B lifters, intake/exhaust valves and springs, and S&S E.
It runs great.
Your friends don't know what they are talking about.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,062
Likes: 4,547
From: Haslet Texas
I wish I would have known about this before I changed mine as the gear whine (granted it goes away) was very annoying.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 192
Likes: 1
From: Lake Butler, FLA
cam change
PBJ basically what I'm planning. Well, I'm glad I read this, I know mine is early 86n build (10/85 on the sticker) sooo, Im gonna go ahead and order the pistons for it before I take it to be done unless this is included in the price my Indy quoted me. 12 to 1500 full top end redo
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Sounds like a bunch of old farts who know enough to know that your bikes gonna be able to whip thier sissy rides once you upgrade, and are telling a bunch of tall tales to try to keep you down. Never underestimate old age and trechary. lol
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Sandusky, OH
haha great response!
Sounds like a bunch of old farts who know enough to know that your bikes gonna be able to whip thier sissy rides once you upgrade, and are telling a bunch of tall tales to try to keep you down. Never underestimate old age and trechary. lol
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 135
Likes: 5
From: boyertown, pa
Glad I read this thread. Was planning the cam change as well on my 85 FXR, not wanting to get involved with tank removal and other headaches. Am I safe in assuming ANY cam other than the stock will not work without piston change. Bike has 65k and if this rule holds true I'll run it till it stops on it's own and go from there. Other cam choices I had in mind was an Andrews EV23 or V Thunder 3010 or 3020. Bummer. Thanks for the info, learning can be disappointing.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Glad I read this thread. Was planning the cam change as well on my 85 FXR, not wanting to get involved with tank removal and other headaches. Am I safe in assuming ANY cam other than the stock will not work without piston change. Bike has 65k and if this rule holds true I'll run it till it stops on it's own and go from there. Other cam choices I had in mind was an Andrews EV23 or V Thunder 3010 or 3020. Bummer. Thanks for the info, learning can be disappointing.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,195
Likes: 3,085
From: NW AR
I have an Andrews EV1 in my bike. It has higher lift than the stock cam. 0.5", I think, but that's off the top of my head. Look it up if you want. I had to grind away a little bit of the case inside to handle the increased lift, as the included instructions said might be needed. I'll bet your '85 is the same way. No change in pistons, valves, or anything else on my bike.
Oh, your lifters are probably shot. And you already have the "good" cam bearing.
Oh, your lifters are probably shot. And you already have the "good" cam bearing.