Cam and confused
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 5,063
Likes: 2,582
From: On my bike!
Cam and confused
I've spent a couple of weeks researching a cam job for the cvo 117 and my brain is scrambled. I've been talking to very well known reputable shops and they all tell me something different about what I need and what works best. It seems most shops want to push the cam that they seem to have a deal with. Speak with a shop and seem to get a very good straight answer and then the next shop says oh no that will perform poorly, you need this cam. I only want to do this once but I feel completely lost with all the different info I've received. Guess the point of this post was to just vent my frustration. Lack of knowledge is my enemy here it seems.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 516
Likes: 30
From: SoCal/Show Low, Az
IMO, the bottom line is where do you want to get the performance gains from the cam. For example...for my 19 RGU, HD offers a torque cam and a power cam. For the kind of riding I do, 90% highway/freeway riding and am usually cruising down the highway from 2800-3300rpm. The power cam was a better choice for me because it delivers the most usable power right in the rpm areas I ride....from about 2200-5000rpm. If you like to lug the engine then a torque-ier cam might be a better choice for you.
There are many cams available from both HD and aftermarket that will fit your needs. You'll find good and bad reviews on every one of them because performance goals are subjective. Hard to go wrong with any name brand cam but I personally like S&S cams and have had them in a couple different bikes. One bike I sold to my buddy has over 100k on an S&S 510C cams.
There are many cams available from both HD and aftermarket that will fit your needs. You'll find good and bad reviews on every one of them because performance goals are subjective. Hard to go wrong with any name brand cam but I personally like S&S cams and have had them in a couple different bikes. One bike I sold to my buddy has over 100k on an S&S 510C cams.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 51,364
Likes: 4,614
From: Texas
Have seen the cam testing thread from $tonecold and Steve Cole?
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/milwa...m-testing.html
Have you see the cam shootout from HD Cool Springs on YouTube.
Most people with baggers including me are opting for the torque cam and there is not a lot of difference between them as you can see from the testing.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/milwa...m-testing.html
Have you see the cam shootout from HD Cool Springs on YouTube.
Most people with baggers including me are opting for the torque cam and there is not a lot of difference between them as you can see from the testing.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,870
Likes: 17,965
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
You also have to ask if you want to stay warranty compliant, which means using the screaming eagle tuner and a Harley cam or not worry about warranty and get bigger gains using aftermarket tuner and cam.
A very popular cam is the RS468 but as has been stated, your riding style, type of riding, rpm range you usually ride in, two up or solo with a light or no load, terrain, etc.
You also want to match other components to work with the cam you choose. FuelMoto has a very good reputation and are very knowledgeable and will make recommendations based on what you describe as wanting and factors I have mentioned.
Most people realistically benefit from a low to mid rpm cam that focuses on torque instead of s cam that makes big horsepower close to red line while delivering very little at low rpm.
What cam is right for you? Well what kind of ice cream is the best?
A very popular cam is the RS468 but as has been stated, your riding style, type of riding, rpm range you usually ride in, two up or solo with a light or no load, terrain, etc.
You also want to match other components to work with the cam you choose. FuelMoto has a very good reputation and are very knowledgeable and will make recommendations based on what you describe as wanting and factors I have mentioned.
Most people realistically benefit from a low to mid rpm cam that focuses on torque instead of s cam that makes big horsepower close to red line while delivering very little at low rpm.
What cam is right for you? Well what kind of ice cream is the best?
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,887
Likes: 1,059
From: SE Washington
Quik. I had the same problem trying to decide on my setup. Talked to several shops, experts, vendor, read, watched vids, etc... I was torn between the tman 200 or 216-2, wm8 22x, s&s 475, and rs 468. Knowing my riding style, not a lugger, I was leaning hard toward the 475 or the tman 216-2. Of course I ended up changing my mind for various reasons and went with the 22x with zero regrets. With the right exhaust, I'm certain you'll be more than happy with the 117 running any of these cams. My best advice is to choose 1 and don't look back.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 1,985
From: Cleveland Zoo
I've spent a couple of weeks researching a cam job for the cvo 117 and my brain is scrambled. I've been talking to very well known reputable shops and they all tell me something different about what I need and what works best. It seems most shops want to push the cam that they seem to have a deal with. Speak with a shop and seem to get a very good straight answer and then the next shop says oh no that will perform poorly, you need this cam. I only want to do this once but I feel completely lost with all the different info I've received. Guess the point of this post was to just vent my frustration. Lack of knowledge is my enemy here it seems.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 449
Likes: 76
From: Oz
I've spent a couple of weeks researching a cam job for the cvo 117 and my brain is scrambled. I've been talking to very well known reputable shops and they all tell me something different about what I need and what works best. It seems most shops want to push the cam that they seem to have a deal with. Speak with a shop and seem to get a very good straight answer and then the next shop says oh no that will perform poorly, you need this cam. I only want to do this once but I feel completely lost with all the different info I've received. Guess the point of this post was to just vent my frustration. Lack of knowledge is my enemy here it seems.
Last edited by RinTin; Apr 19, 2019 at 06:55 AM.
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