S&S Strker compression questions
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5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2013
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From: Leipsic, OH
S&S Strker compression questions
I am looking for others' thoughts and experiences with reliable, streetable big inch shovels. I have an FL with a 98" S&S Shovel in it with just a few (less than 300) miles on it. I have a high torque starter and an Antigravity lithium battery. Still very hard to turn over with the starter. I can kick it easier. To use the starter I hit the button as I kick it through with the kick start.
I am at a point where I am either going to sell the 98" and put in a stock motor or do something with compression on this one. Would reducing compression to the 8-9:1 ratio still make this bike perform well without the hard starting issues? What about cam for a reliable street set up in a stroker. Currently running an S&S G carb. If I want to turn the compression down a bit would a Super E or an CV be a good choice on a 98"?
Basically, I have this monster motor and I am not a monster bike guy. I want it to be a reasonable motor that I can kick or push the button and actually have it roll over. Thanks for any thoughts!
I know S&S has many piston choices available. Can anyone direct be to choices with the +0.200 jugs to get a more reasonable compression ratio?
I am at a point where I am either going to sell the 98" and put in a stock motor or do something with compression on this one. Would reducing compression to the 8-9:1 ratio still make this bike perform well without the hard starting issues? What about cam for a reliable street set up in a stroker. Currently running an S&S G carb. If I want to turn the compression down a bit would a Super E or an CV be a good choice on a 98"?
Basically, I have this monster motor and I am not a monster bike guy. I want it to be a reasonable motor that I can kick or push the button and actually have it roll over. Thanks for any thoughts!
I know S&S has many piston choices available. Can anyone direct be to choices with the +0.200 jugs to get a more reasonable compression ratio?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
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From: Farmington ,MS
What kind of ignition are you running? An electronic that delays the spark for 2 revolutions will help.
Spyke makes starters that will turn over that motor with no problem, but they are pricey.
Ultima makes copies of the spyke starter...I have run one for 3 years without problems...never tried it on a big inch, high compression motor...but it turns the 80" over like the plugs are out.
Spyke makes starters that will turn over that motor with no problem, but they are pricey.
Ultima makes copies of the spyke starter...I have run one for 3 years without problems...never tried it on a big inch, high compression motor...but it turns the 80" over like the plugs are out.
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5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2013
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From: Leipsic, OH
Currently running points and already have the hi torque starter. Not interested in an electronic withe the delay because I want to be able to kick the bike as well. I really am thinking I want to reduce compression overall. Maybe reducing static compression with more cam duration would help. That's what I am trying to figure out.
Thanks for the input!
Thanks for the input!
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Leipsic, OH
Currently running points and already have the hi torque starter. Not interested in an electronic withe the delay because I want to be able to kick the bike as well. I really am thinking I want to reduce compression overall. Maybe reducing static compression with more cam duration would help. That's what I am trying to figure out. Thanks for the input!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: la la land jerzey
your assumption is correct about the static compression - when the cams duration is narrow it close's the valve to soon / the squeeze distance is lenghtened causing high static,
the old sifton 107 is what some guys used back in the day / none of the ( new vo cam ) companys understand or dont care about the dynamics of a shovel motor with duration,
that 107 cams intake is longer than the exhaust if you need the specs i can put them on but you are on the right track - i would also use 7 to 1 pistons that motor is so big it will pull anyway and you can use regular fuel -- been doing this 2 weeks now and that is my idea -- johnjzjz
PS dump the points and install a bearing advance mech and use a dyna duel fire ignition it will help Lots been the spot your in many times
the old sifton 107 is what some guys used back in the day / none of the ( new vo cam ) companys understand or dont care about the dynamics of a shovel motor with duration,
that 107 cams intake is longer than the exhaust if you need the specs i can put them on but you are on the right track - i would also use 7 to 1 pistons that motor is so big it will pull anyway and you can use regular fuel -- been doing this 2 weeks now and that is my idea -- johnjzjz
PS dump the points and install a bearing advance mech and use a dyna duel fire ignition it will help Lots been the spot your in many times
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5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2013
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From: Leipsic, OH
Thanks, Johnjzjz... That's the input I am needing. Can you direct me to the part number for the pistons? I imagine it's on The S&S site but I haven't been able to decipher it. I see they offer the service of fitting the new pistons. Maybe I can just send the jugs to Wisconsin and be done with it. You referenced the Sifton cams back in the day. I know they were awesome cams at one point but I get mixed reviews since Tedd Cycle bought the name. Have you run across any comparable cams from some of the other sources like Andrews, Crane or Leinwebber? Also have a Dyna S saved in my eBay searches for the ignition. I was leaning that way already. :-)
Thanks again for the input.
Thanks again for the input.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,097
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From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
Have you considered a compression release? My S&S EVO 96" with a beefier starter sounds like it struggles sometimes, and no kick start; I've thought about compression release, just isn't in the budget right now. I don't know if S&S makes a shovel compression release, but I've read about aftermarket releases.
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5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2013
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From: Leipsic, OH
I thought about compression releases but honestly I just don't want high compression. I would be pulling the heads for machine work (which means pulling the motor with the +.200 cylinders) anyway. I am after a tamer easy starting, lower maintenance motor. Honestly, I wouldn't buy a 98" motor normally but the bike was a great deal from a friend. As cool as the stroker is, I would be happier with a fresh 74".
That's a heck of a note, huh? While other people spend money to amp their motors up, I want to tune mine down. :-)
Thanks!
That's a heck of a note, huh? While other people spend money to amp their motors up, I want to tune mine down. :-)
Thanks!
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 979
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From: new orleans,la
ditch that cam and use one from blackwidow the 468+ I have used them in 100+" engines that are 10:5:1 and I can kick start them even in the winter --
Intake: 31/64 275 0.445 Exhaust: 64/31 275 0.445 Overlap: 60
Intake: 31/64 275 0.445 Exhaust: 64/31 275 0.445 Overlap: 60
Look into the electronic ignition systems that have a "kick-start" mode. It retards the timing only during starting. I put one on a customers bike and in a kick mode the thing fired off easy. That was after I replaced the old cables.
I want to say it was a twin-tec product but I'd have to double check.
I want to say it was a twin-tec product but I'd have to double check.