96A and 96B

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Dec 17, 2010 | 10:05 PM

one-up

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Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 2,022

Likes: 60

From: Greer, South Carolina

96A and 96B

Okay, I admit it, I don't wrench my own bike and I don't know a lot about motorcycle drivetrains. However, I'm curious about a number of things regarding the Touring bike engines and the Softail engines.

1. Why does the softail engine (96B) require counterweights? The 96A seems to run fine withought the counterweights.

2. I've heard it takes about 7 H.P. to turn the counterweights. Is this true? If not, how much does it take??

3. Which bike would be faster through the gears (assuming both are stock 96's) a Road King or a Heritage Softail Classic?

3A. Why?

4. Where is the catalytic converter on a 2010 and newer Softail 96B engine? Is there one in each headpipe??

Okay, enough questions for now. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Dec 17, 2010 | 11:26 PM

djl

HDF Community Team

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 12,779

Likes: 2,609

From: san antonio

Quote:

1. Why does the softail engine (96B) require counterweights? The 96A seems to run fine withought the counterweights.

Counterweights are not required; one motor is "balanced" the other is not to provide a choice. The softails are balanced and the touring models are not. The tourning model motors shake at idle but smooth out at cruise without the softail "buzz".

Quote:

2. I've heard it takes about 7 H.P. to turn the counterweights. Is this true? If not, how much does it take??

don't know but 7 sounds like too much to me; maybe 3-4?

Quote:

3. Which bike would be faster through the gears (assuming both are stock 96's) a Road King or a Heritage Softail Classic?

The Road King

Quote:

3A. Why?

The later touring model motors make 71HP/90TQ in stock trim compared to the Dynas and Softails that make 68HP/83TQ. However, the touring models are heavier; still betting on the Road King wins.

Quote:

4. Where is the catalytic converter on a 2010 and newer Softail 96B engine? Is there one in each headpipe??

No, the cat is in the straight section of the head pipe just befor the muffler connection.

Dec 17, 2010 | 11:58 PM

j1mmy

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 4,598

Likes: 14

From: navarre ohio

the ballanced motors are solid mount, the unballanced motors are rubber mounted so you dont feel it, would shake teeth out if it was solid mount..the touring bikes have more power to pull more weight.stock top speed is about 110 for all twins..