I went and spoke to a local motor builder and he told me that with today's ethanol fuel putting in higher compression piston and porting the heads would only give a a little more horse power/tork and I would have to fight spark knock a lot.

He recommended a bigger motor.

I was looking at the S&S 117.

I was told by another indy that the 117 had trouble with their pistons after a mere 10k miles.

What are yalls thoughts/experience?

 

certain engines have to much rod angle creating big piston loads.I dont know that the 117 s&s is one of those as there are only a couple around one ran 17000 on a chooper of some sort and it was beat on hard enough it took 2 transmissions to get to that point.engine life on big inch motors usually varies due to rider style more than anything

 

Luckily I live around water and it's illegal to put ethanol in marine engines, so many gas stations here have ethanol free premium gas. It doesn't matter how big it is it's never big enough. Engines are like your pecker you always want it bigger

 

The nearest ethanol free gas station to me is 120 miles.

 

I would suggest you call Mike Lozano at Lozano brothers porting in New Braunfels. He has built some wicked motors. I think his wide glide is putting out over 135hp. He will at least be able to give you some sound advise. He is also one of the best dyno tuners around.

Mike's number is 830-228-5874...tell him Dino sent you

 

Mike Lozano is the local builder who I was talking about in the first post.
He does give excellent advice.

 

I would trust his advise

 

I do trust it. That is why I am looking at a bigger motor.

I always like to hear other people's input/experience with things.

He didn't really have a recommendation about which bigger motor.
He did tell me he loves the fuel injection over the carb but I still like my carb.

 

Our Local Hell's Angels used to run a lot of 117 S&S motors and they reckon they had head gasket and crank spigot issues.

Most of them ride V-Rods now as they are indestructible...even when running a supercharger!

 

I think the answer may become clearer riding the hill country. Well it's at least worth a try.