Hey guys, I just bought my first H-D from an H-D dealership in Idaho. I bought a 2001 FLHR, and when I purchased the bike I asked them, if the bike had the big bore kit in it. He told me he didn't know, and that I would be able to tell when I rode it. How he expected me to know with this being my first H-D, I don't know. So, my question is obviously how do I tell if my bike has the big bore kit? I am pretty certain it doesn't. I am also, not the biggest gearhead around, so could someone tell me what exactly a big bore kit will do for my bike. Thanks. This sites great. I can ask questions, that make me feel like an idiot and no one will know who I am.LOL Thanks again.

 

i dont think that you can tell by just looking at it. You would have to tear into it or maybe put it on a dyno and research the numbers. I think that I am correct by saying that its all internal parts

 

Telling a new rider he will know really speaks volumes about the seller, he doesn't have a clue. That being said, from external appearances there is not a way to tell. An experienced rider may be able to feel the difference from stock to big bore, but if that was all that was done, there really is not that much of a difference. Only way to know for sure is to pull a head and measure cylinder bore.

 

Why dont you do a title search on the bike and see who the previous owner was and contact him.

 

You might be able to do a compression test. If you have increased cylinder pressure over stock specs, that could indicate that something had been done. Could be something like cams only, or could be a big bore. Like Dalton said though, only sure way to know is to pull the heads and take some measurements.

 

No way to tell via external appearances.
As Dalton has already mentioned, you'll need to pull a head, to measure the bore ID.
Scott

 

Good idea.

Did the bike come with any service paperwork from the previous owner? That's the sort of stuff I would expect to get when buying a 'new' bike, or to pass on when selling it.