Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Upgrade question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 26, 2016 | 08:16 PM
  #1  
Stogie Phu-mc's Avatar
Stogie Phu-mc
Thread Starter
|
Stage I
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Default Upgrade question

I have a 2008 Night train (My "Sexy B") with 96ci motor. I want to upgrade the motor to 103 or better but do not want sacrifice my ability to hop on her and go cross country as I have made a couple trips and plan on making more on her. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best route to go?
 
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2016 | 01:36 AM
  #2  
critter85's Avatar
critter85
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 17,219
Likes: 2,499
From: Eastern Kansas
Default

Welcome to the Forum from Kansas!

I don't see why you would sacrifice anything. Are you wanting a whole new motor or just build on the 96ci you have now? Either way your going to end up with and fresher motor.
 
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2016 | 04:23 AM
  #3  
EagleRay's Avatar
EagleRay
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,492
Likes: 103
From: Stuttgart, Germany
Default

Sorry OP, but I don't get your point. Why should an engine upgrade decrease your ability to hop on your scoot and just get going???
 
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2016 | 04:48 AM
  #4  
Next In Line's Avatar
Next In Line
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 164
From: Home
Default

Originally Posted by EagleRay
Sorry OP, but I don't get your point. Why should an engine upgrade decrease your ability to hop on your scoot and just get going???
The OP is probably confused about all the mis-information on the internet.

As long as the compression ratio is reasonable enough to use pump gas, there will be no problems with an upgraded engine*.

*as the stock parts that have not been upgraded are able to withstand the additional stress - i.e. crankshaft.
 
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2016 | 08:19 AM
  #5  
NDBadlands4-2's Avatar
NDBadlands4-2
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
Default

A 103 is a great engine. A bit warmer than your 96, but no less reliable.
 
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2016 | 03:05 PM
  #6  
Snowyone's Avatar
Snowyone
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 604
Likes: 22
Default

I've a 124" motor based on my stock block and it's my cross country tourer. Don't be afraid of going bigger but staying with Harley parts is good if you need help on your way. The 96" motor in my bike was such a dog it's why I ended up with the 124. It does everything easier and gets as good a mileage as it did stock. Head work and cams would be the only thing I would stray on non Harley parts for your upgrade.
 
Reply
Old Jun 28, 2016 | 08:46 PM
  #7  
oct1949's Avatar
oct1949
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Default

Talk to or read about just doing some good bolt in cams with a matching good street port on the heads with a good tuner or dyno... you'll make more TQ doing that than just only doing a 103 kit and nothing else.

you don't have to do a BB kit to get a 15-30% increase in TQ across the sheet... and just a BB kit won't do it either.




..
 
Reply
Old Jun 28, 2016 | 09:09 PM
  #8  
FLS103's Avatar
FLS103
Road Warrior
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 245
From: Triune, TN
Default

Assuming it's already stage 1. Keep it a 96", drop in some Andrews 48 cams, get the heads reworked by a reputable shop, good tune and then ride😂
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Ryan o
General Harley Davidson Chat
0
Feb 14, 2018 03:12 AM
nightrain116
2014-2024 Touring Models
11
Jul 29, 2016 07:17 PM
HTRAUD
General Harley Davidson Chat
11
Jan 18, 2012 10:38 AM
blazzinbird
Softail Models
2
May 14, 2007 11:07 PM
98kingflh
Touring Models
4
Feb 16, 2006 01:57 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:53 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE