SE 255 question for the experts?
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 970
Likes: 19
From: Philippines
First off, "Tappets" is an old term for Lifters so lets discard that word. A roller on the bottom of each lifter is in constant contact with a cam lobe and a wear pattern is formed between the two. Normally when replacing any cam, new lifters are recommended and any High End Performance shop would always install new lifters with a cam swap. In your case however, with a relatively new bike and what I assume would be low mileage you might be able to reuse the stock lifters. If I were building your engine, I would not be able to make that decision until after the existing cam and lifters were remove and inspected. Personally, I would match new lifters with any new cam.
Additionally, I recommend that you also consider installing Adjustable Push Rods. The installation of adjustable push rods prevents the need to remove the Tank, Rocker Boxes, and Valve Rockers. This would save hours of labor cost and make any future cam service easier.
Additionally, I recommend that you also consider installing Adjustable Push Rods. The installation of adjustable push rods prevents the need to remove the Tank, Rocker Boxes, and Valve Rockers. This would save hours of labor cost and make any future cam service easier.
Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
First off, "Tappets" is an old term for Lifters so lets discard that word. A roller on the bottom of each lifter is in constant contact with a cam lobe and a wear pattern is formed between the two. Normally when replacing any cam, new lifters are recommended and any High End Performance shop would always install new lifters with a cam swap. In your case however, with a relatively new bike and what I assume would be low mileage you might be able to reuse the stock lifters. If I were building your engine, I would not be able to make that decision until after the existing cam and lifters were remove and inspected. Personally, I would match new lifters with any new cam.
Additionally, I recommend that you also consider installing Adjustable Push Rods. The installation of adjustable push rods prevents the need to remove the Tank, Rocker Boxes, and Valve Rockers. This would save hours of labor cost and make any future cam service easier.
Additionally, I recommend that you also consider installing Adjustable Push Rods. The installation of adjustable push rods prevents the need to remove the Tank, Rocker Boxes, and Valve Rockers. This would save hours of labor cost and make any future cam service easier.
Thanks a lot for your suggestion.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 19
From: Illinois
Is it a stock motor? Thats all you're doing is cams, nothing else? Is there stock pipes and intake? May I ask why SE255's, especially if everything else is stock? I also agree, no way to know until they are inspected. Me? I would go new on new unless you have like 1k miles on the bike.
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Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 62
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Is it a stock motor? Thats all you're doing is cams, nothing else? Is there stock pipes and intake? May I ask why SE255's, especially if everything else is stock? I also agree, no way to know until they are inspected. Me? I would go new on new unless you have like 1k miles on the bike.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
I've read and heard that a bike with 15-20K should have new lifters installed at cam change.
Some Wrench's I've talked to say a bike that has 15K and some have said up to 20k is the point of needing new ones.
Did my cams at 16k and Yes I went ahead and installed new lifters. But didn't have to.
New Torrington cam bearings for sure.
There are a bunch of other cams for a Lux I'd pick over the 255's.. the 255's are made for Heavy Touring bikes that's loaded up and ridden 2 up and have High CCP that can lead to pinging.
The 255's have good TQ in the 1800 to 4k rpm range but fall off quickly after 4K.
If U ride solo mostly, the 204's would be a better pick IMO if U stay with SE stuff.
If U branch out to other cams,, well then theirs a bunch of choices, Pending on Ur riding style.
.
Some Wrench's I've talked to say a bike that has 15K and some have said up to 20k is the point of needing new ones.
Did my cams at 16k and Yes I went ahead and installed new lifters. But didn't have to.
New Torrington cam bearings for sure.
There are a bunch of other cams for a Lux I'd pick over the 255's.. the 255's are made for Heavy Touring bikes that's loaded up and ridden 2 up and have High CCP that can lead to pinging.
The 255's have good TQ in the 1800 to 4k rpm range but fall off quickly after 4K.
If U ride solo mostly, the 204's would be a better pick IMO if U stay with SE stuff.
If U branch out to other cams,, well then theirs a bunch of choices, Pending on Ur riding style.
.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
I've read and heard that a bike with 15-20K should have new lifters installed at cam change.
Some Wrench's I've talked to say a bike that has 15K and some have said up to 20k is the point of needing new ones.
Did my cams at 16k and Yes I went ahead and installed new lifters. But didn't have to.
New Torrington cam bearings for sure.
There are a bunch of other cams for a Lux I'd pick over the 255's.. the 255's are made for Heavy Touring bikes that's loaded up and ridden 2 up and have High CCP that can lead to pinging.
The 255's have good TQ in the 1800 to 4k rpm range but fall off quickly after 4K.
If U ride solo mostly, the 204's would be a better pick IMO if U stay with SE stuff.
If U branch out to other cams,, well then theirs a bunch of choices, Pending on Ur riding style.
.
Some Wrench's I've talked to say a bike that has 15K and some have said up to 20k is the point of needing new ones.
Did my cams at 16k and Yes I went ahead and installed new lifters. But didn't have to.
New Torrington cam bearings for sure.
There are a bunch of other cams for a Lux I'd pick over the 255's.. the 255's are made for Heavy Touring bikes that's loaded up and ridden 2 up and have High CCP that can lead to pinging.
The 255's have good TQ in the 1800 to 4k rpm range but fall off quickly after 4K.
If U ride solo mostly, the 204's would be a better pick IMO if U stay with SE stuff.
If U branch out to other cams,, well then theirs a bunch of choices, Pending on Ur riding style.
.
I think that cams SE 255 are the best solution for me. I need TQ in low rpm range.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 19
From: Illinois
I have 211's and I have more than enough torque. I think my bike would work too hard at highway speeds with the 255"s in it and theres more than a stage 1 involved.
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