When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Newbie question. I have a 18" RG CVO and am getting the exhaust done. I am having Fullsac do their full system, head pipe, baffles, TTS 150 cam and tune. I have a Screamin Eagle Ventilator Extreme Air Cleaner. My question is do I need new pushrods and lifters? Are these the same thing? If not what is the difference? The bike only has 1200 miles on it. I just don't even know the difference between these things. Before I got involved with Steve at Fullsac, I got a quote from a HD dealer and one of the things he put on there was Harley adjustable pushrods that are 200 from Harley. Just looking for some guidance. Thank you!!
If Fullsac is replacing the cams they'll most likely replace the stock lifters with better lifters. Then they'll either use adjustable push rods or else pull the rocker boxes and use the stock push rods.
Adjustable pushrods will save you quite a bit in labor and I would without question change the lifters for a good aftermarket set. I would imagine fullsac will explain everything you need to know, do it once, do of right! Good luck to you sir!
Newbie question. I have a 18" RG CVO and am getting the exhaust done. I am having Fullsac do their full system, head pipe, baffles, TTS 150 cam and tune. I have a Screamin Eagle Ventilator Extreme Air Cleaner. My question is do I need new pushrods and lifters? Are these the same thing? If not what is the difference? The bike only has 1200 miles on it. I just don't even know the difference between these things. Before I got involved with Steve at Fullsac, I got a quote from a HD dealer and one of the things he put on there was Harley adjustable pushrods that are 200 from Harley. Just looking for some guidance. Thank you!!
Pushrods and lifters are not the same thing. The lifter, also sometimes called a tappet, is the part that rides directly on the cam lobe. You don't necessarily need to replace it but depending on the cam or application it can be a good idea. Some cam kits out there come with lifters included.
The pushrod is a rod that is a little larger than a pencil in diameter and goes from the lifter into the cylinder head and contacts the rocker arm. Essentially the cam lobe pushes up on the lifter which then pushes the pushrod which then pushes the rocker arm which opens your valve. The OEM pushrods are one piece and a set length. To remove and reinstall the pushrods you'd have to get into the top part of the engine, remove the rocker box, remove the rockers and then the pushrods lift out of the top. Adjustable pushrods can be threaded together to make them small enough to fit into the pushrod area and then be unthreaded to extend to the required length which saves you from having to take off the rocker boxes and such. Adjustable pushrods also can be adjusted to the length needed for your engine which means they compensate for the difference in head gasket thickness etc should you end up doing more motor work later. Basically the adjustable pushrods will save you enough in labor that it's worth getting them plus you'll have the perfect adjustment once they're set properly.
If you still can't picture how this works just get on the youtubes and watch a video where someone installs adjustable pushrods and it will be much clearer then.
So if I understand, the yellow arrows are pointing to the lifters and the blue arrows (pointing to the long chrom pencil looking things) are the push rods? Is this correct? So If I change out the pushrods, I could get them in gloss black? Do the lifters come in different colors? Which sets do you guys recommend for changing both out? S&S?
Is there a way to get a set like the 2020 RG CVO set up. Anybody know how to get a set of push rods and lifter covers that match the 2020 CVO. I would like to match my stock heat shields that will be reused. This would be cool. Or if not what is recommended for all gloss black. Anybody have brand and part numbers? I am looking around, but haven't found anything.
What sets for pushrods and lifter do you recommend @Quik ? If I am changing them, I would like to get rid of the chrome and go gloss black, unless I can get a set that matches the stock heat shields...
What sets for pushrods and lifter do you recommend @Quik ? If I am changing them, I would like to get rid of the chrome and go gloss black, unless I can get a set that matches the stock heat shields...
In my experience you can't go wrong with S+S premium lifters and quickie pushrods, S+S is quality stuff. As far the covers, they have nothing to do with the lifters and pushrods, they are just that, covers. You can either resuse your stock ones or HD makes gloss black or chrome and possibly other colors but not sure on that.
So if I understand, the yellow arrows are pointing to the lifters and the blue arrows (pointing to the long chrom pencil looking things) are the push rods? Is this correct? So If I change out the pushrods, I could get them in gloss black? Do the lifters come in different colors? Which sets do you guys recommend for changing both out? S&S?
The yellow arrows are pointing to the lifter blocks, the lifters sit just under them. They can be changed to black. The blue arrows point to the push rod covers, and they can be changed to black. The picture below is when I was putting mine back together. I changed them both to black.
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.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
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.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
Pushrods verses Lifters?
