So I spent this past Friday evening: installing 103"/10:1 Pistons and Cylinders, 0.030" Head Gaskets, Andrews 26H Cams, and a SE Clutch Spring. Basically my version of a Stage II kit. Already has HD Oil Cooler, V&H BSL an SE K&N Air Cleaner and TTS Master Tune. Basically I guess, I just couldn't leave well enough alone.

My recipe included a set of used 96" Cylinders for $25 from eBay (wanted to keep my originals 'cause ya never know . . .), Bore and Hone Cylinders and fit to Pistons $150, KB Hypereutectic Pistons $163 from Amazon.com (I've had a lot of good luck with this brand and this type on several race cars.), Cometic 0.030 Head Gaskets $59, Top End Gasket Set $40, Andrews 26H Cams $260, SE Clutch Spring $25 (also eBay) plus a few more $$ for Oil, Oil Filter, New Fuel Line Hose Clamps (Fuel Tank) Spark Plugs, Lock Tite, A gallon of Simple Green, 6 Cans of Brake Clean, etc. etc. etc. All total I figure I spent about $775 in parts and materials over the course of 3 or 4 months as I assembled this package. I spent a total of about 5 hours on Friday night and another 8 on Saturday, but I am a bit **** retentive about spotlessly clean parts and fastener threads. I suppose that I could have gone with the HD Stage II kit but then I'd be lower on the corrected CR and I wanted the power curve a bit higher, but not too much higher, than the SE 255 Cams go.

I have yet to re-tune the thing, but so far I am very pleased (Big Smile!) with the results. There is a nice light lope at idle as compared to the stock cams. Probably not really noticeable unless you are familiar with the stock sound. Also I have it idling at 900 RPM so that make a bit of a difference as well. Also considerably less valve train noise than stock, which was kind of a side benefit. Most noticeable, and exactly what I was after, is the roll-on acceleration from just above idle to higher RPM than I want to take it just yet. Most Excellent with a very smooth and progressive build to the power delivery. Figure another 10% once I get it tuned to this setup. My scientifically calibrated A$$ometer says I probably have something in the high 90's or low 100's for torque and low 90's HP at the moment.

Oh, just so you don't all get all worried about this . . . on Saturday night . . . you just know I had to ride it when I was done (needed gas) in the rain . . . and on my way back from the gas station I was thinkin' to myself . . . . Self? I wonder what a 120R motor would be like . . .

ps: Note to those considering these pistons. The KB specification for these pistons (P/N KB409C) says that they have a centered Wrist Pin. But the pistons I received were offset 0.030". I confirmed with KB that the wrist pins are supposed to be centered. KB sent me the print diagrams from what looks like their engineering release documentation. KB is supposed to be checking their inventory but I haven't heard back since the middle of last week. In my experience this sort of an answer, to this sort of a confirmed problem is available within 24-48 hours within an OE or Tier I supplier like KB. FYI, there are no markings on the pistons and the printed instructions clearly state they are symmetrical. Thus if built to specification they can be installed either way. This whole issue of a 0.030" offset is OK by me (obviously as I installed them) but if I hadn't measured them this would have been a really serious and very noisy problem. One of the pictures shows the two measurements . . . IMHO users of this P/N from KB be advised!

 

Motor work always sounds awesome. I just dont know how to do it myself. Id love to have a "sleeper" bike. U cant tell all that good stuff is in there from looks, which is why its so appealing to me

Nice build!!