Newbie here, picked up a used 2020 CX from a dealer with 3.7k, all stock. The dealer did “service” the bike and install new tires. My first HD purchasing and the people at the dealer were really laid back and cool with me. The service department was a bit sloppy poppy, I found a loose mirror, crusty stock air cleaner, belt too tight, primary chain out of spec with the factory fluid. I wasn’t excited enough to let them know or complain about what condition the bike was in upon delivery, they already know.

I decided on a full service and S1 kit, went with a PV2B, Cobra El Diablo and Cobra cone intake. Broke the upper front cylinder exhaust stud on the exhaust install. Bummer. Looked around for a quick solution and there isn’t any. Welded 6 nuts on that broken stud and that biatch wouldn’t turn a lick. On the positive side I found a quailty local machine shop - Hopkins Machine. They did me right.

Also, I learned that welding all those ****ing nuts and extending the stud cooked the exhaust gasket into the head. It was a PITA to remove and clean the port for the new seal.

After assembly, when riding found oil all over the cam cover, the exhaust pushrod cover kinked the damn oring at the lifter plate. MF, MF, MF. At this point with fall riding winding down, I decided on quickies and bolt cutters for the front cylinder. Fought the S&S intake tube leaking for a bit, then finally found the sweet spot with the orientation of the bottom tube.

Besides my mistakes, Fuel Moto was great and the tune was spot on.

The next mod was to upgrade the clutch (Energy One), I had a flare on hard shifts and planning on a 1275 so it made sense to switch it out and troubleshoot before the 1275 was installed. I must have a Covid build because the Motor Company skipped out on soaking the clutch plates, the last three plates were dry, see pic. The new clutch works great no squealing or shuddering. The factory rivet plate was in good shape at 4.6K.

Had some great miles last month and now I’m starting a 1275 kit. Shooting to install the cams today and plan on buttoning up next week.

I’m sure to have some questions along the way and I’ll update as time permits.

 

Those exhaust studs a real PITA. I'm dealing with a snapped one on my 07 right now.

 

I am going to be in real trouble with mine as the exhaust hasn't been touched since I bought the bike in 2017. Conversely the 2008 here has had the exhaust on and off a few times and the studs are in great condition.

Someone did advise me ages ago to work the stud nuts every 6 months.

 

What’s the consensus on never seize for the exhaust studs?
Yes, no? Silver, copper?

 

I have used the silver Permatex stuff on the 2008 on first go and it has done its job.

 

I’ve done countless headers on bikes and never snapped an exhaust stud until the sporty. I did a 2 day soak with penetrating oil and heat, thought I was close then SNAP.

The cam cover kicked my ***, took over and hour and 2 Marlboro’s to get it off.

Got a question on the lower pushrod tube oring installation; on the tube or in the lifter cover? My last tube leak has me a bit phobic. When I test fit the tube into the lifter plate with the oring on the tube, it seems to be the better way. The upper orings didn’t cause an issue when they were installed in the head. The bottom oring is a bit loose in the plate and I’m not sure about glueing it in place.

Thanks.





Pics of cam just to add some moto ****.

Also, forgot to add in what a pleasure it is working with the team (Aaron, Dan & Laurie) at Hammer Performance. They have been patient with my rookie questions and made sure BEFORE the sale that my selection of parts was correct, even after they had my payment. It’s been refreshing dealing with a professional, responsive outfit.

 

Got the jugs and pistons installed yesterday. Flying solo, so I used two 1/4 drive 3” extension with deep well sockets ty wrapped to the studs to hold the jugs up while I fought the circlips. Front cylinder clip fell into place on the first go, so I assumed the difficulty was hyped a bit. Then the rear was a bit of a fight, better lucky than good.

Planning on a squish test after work today if time permits. Getting a bit excited now and I’m trying to avoid getting squirrelly.

 

Buttoned up the top end after the squish test.

Those damn Cometic head gasket rivets were in the way, tried my side cutters and had to go to a cutoff wheel. Then fought the three pieces like a game of chutes & ladders getting the heads on, there's got to be a better way.

Hoping to button up exhaust, intake, charge battery and tune today. Might even light the candle, if the ol lady stops bagging me on Xmas lights.

 

Nice work! Looks like you fit right in here. Very good looking bike as well, very sharp.

You'd think Cometic would be aware of the interference issue by now, and rectify it. It's been a known issue for years without a change.

When I did my 1250 upgrade, I was lucky having the older heads/cylinders and did not have a problem with those rivets. Having to butcher an expensive gasket seems pretty lame to me, not responsive to the customer's needs.

John

 

Yesterday was a good day, learned a lot. My reading and comprehension is (still) not very good - the exhaust flanges, which Hammer has a specific description and instructions on how the flanges are thicker and can hit with trimmed decks, somehow I read but it didn’t land.

That’s when I remembered that I snapped the motor off of the base on the shop grinder last summer using it as an improvised vice. Yea, I’ll weld it up later… A quick ratchet strap solved the grinder issue. The flanges fit after grinding, but the exhaust sits a tiny bit further down too, and I had the Cobra pipe tight to the cam cover when stock. Rookie mistakes, focusing on squish and pushrod length and missing the small obvious stuff.

After loading the Hammer tune (thanks Aaron), double checking my double checks I lit the candle. Fired right up, has the nice compression burble and the 560s have a great lope. I made it thru the 10-20-30-40 cycles in the afternoon with a fan assisting cool downs. After the 40 second cycle, I shut down for an overnight cool down. If the weather complies, I’ll get a ride in today.

Good times.