General Topics/Tech Tips Discussion on break in periods, rider comfort, seats and pad suggestions. Tech tips as they become available will be posted here.

Pistons

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 13, 2019 | 06:00 PM
  #1  
e6fmf's Avatar
e6fmf
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 832
Likes: 125
From: Parris Island
Default Pistons

What does a domed head piston do? What does a flat top piston do? Benefits/drawbacks of each.

Thank You.
 
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2019 | 06:22 PM
  #2  
Tired's Avatar
Tired
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,599
Likes: 5,175
From: SWMO
Default

The general answer is the domed piston will take up more space than the flat top piston in the combustion chamber thereby raising compression.
 
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2019 | 06:44 AM
  #3  
roussfam's Avatar
roussfam
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,714
Likes: 8,327
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Default

Imagine you're putting on a pair of pants (cyl head) in one case you have a flat belly (flat piston), in the other you have a beer belly (domed piston) beer belly equals more squish. Glad I could help.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
GibsonSG
Engine Mechanical Topics
19
Feb 27, 2016 10:00 AM
Turkeys3
Engine Mechanical Topics
8
Feb 15, 2016 06:54 PM
rockstarbass1
Exhaust System Topics
13
Feb 8, 2014 10:29 PM
swensos
EVO
3
Mar 25, 2011 09:29 AM
jag1886
Touring Models
9
Mar 16, 2010 07:24 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:53 PM.

story-0
10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

Slideshow: Not every motorcycle can be a design icon, and these machines prove that bold styling doesn't always age gracefully.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-18 10:29:31


VIEW MORE
story-1
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-9
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE