I have a dilemma, I am very interested in the full FM 107 kit including heads, cams, heavy duty cylinders etc...I am concerned this will cause damage to other parts of the bike, crank, clutch, compensator, starter.. For those of you that have this similar setup are you happy with it? Does it cause pre-mature wear on anything else? My other option I'm looking at is just doing the tw 222 cams, seems to have a good low down torque curve. Opinions??

I do ride a lot, my dad and I just got back from our first Saddle Sore 1000 through the iron butt association, I want reliability and longevity.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

Not an expert but I'd say do cams first and see how you like it. I just did cams on my 103 and the difference is very noticeable. While you're at it put new lifters in, the stock lifters are known for premature failure which can be catastrophic.

 

While you're at it put new lifters in, the stock lifters are known for premature failure which can be catastrophic.

That's news to me, do you know of someone who had this catastrophic failure occur, or it's from personal experience?

Glade I removed my factory lifters when I did lol.

B Bop

2012 FLHR (Road King) Ember Red Sunglo & Merlo (stage II)
Cruise Control, ABS, Chrome Aluminum Profile Laced Spoke Tubeless Wheels, Security Package, Saddle Bag LED Lid Spoilers, and an array of accessories that enhances nostalgic appearance & blood curdling performance.

It appears everything in my life sucks, except for my vacuum cleaner. WDB

 

The guy who did my cams showed me the contact surface wear, as well as the roller pin play in my stock lifters. He said they were on the way out, he has a small shop but has seen it a lot and changes about 60 sets of lifters every summer. He told me HD switched lifter suppliers and chose crappy lifters to save money. There was another bike in his shop that had a lifter crack and break, it damaged the case to the point where it will be a $6000 dollar repair (CDN). There are other posts on here about the stock HD lifters being crap, if you do cams change the lifters just to be safe IMO.

 

Harleyrider1990,

At the beginning of the summer I was exactly where you in the decision process. I've been running a Fuel Moto Stage 1 for about 5 years (2-1-2 headpipe, 4" Jackpots, PC-V, Ness Inverted Sucker) and my bike ran flawlessly, although I wanted more freeway power to keep up with my 103 SG riding buddy.

The challenge is that if you go with the 222 cams and then decide to go with the 107 later, you've got the wrong cams and would need to upgrade. If you decide to go with 107 friendly cams now and big bore kit later, the cams are a little on the big side for stock compression.

Before I made my decision, I did a ton of research and talked to Fuel Moto multiple times about my riding style and expectations. I also spoke with Bobby Wood directly for about 10-15 minutes and he asked me a lot of questions about how I ride as well as my goals.

I decided to go with the Wood 555 cams now, with the option to do a 10.25 CR stock headed 107 later for a well rounded combo as I was assured that the 555s work fine with a stock 96 / 103 and that I wouldn't be disappointed.

Furthermore, even if I didn't go with the 107, both FM and Bobby recommended the 555s for my set-up & riding style (stripped down RKC, 100% solo, backroads) as I like to twist the throttle. Even though I have a stock compression 96, I'm very happy with the results. Off idle and bottom end feel about the same as stage 1, no gains there, BUT midrange up to 6000 rpm is significantly stronger. These cams really woke the bike up and I'm enjoying my newly found power.

If I did nothing else, I would be very happy with my choice of cam. The 222s would have yielded stronger bottom end+ but the do peak way before the 555s stop pulling. A guy with a loaded Ultra that's ridden 2-up for touring probably wouldn't have the outcome that I have with the 555s as that a great use case for the 222s.

It's all about your riding style and expectations. Pick the right cam and you'll be thrilled with the extra power, but if you pick the wrong cam, you'll be miserable and wish you left the bike stock.

 

OP- If you want reliability and longevity, leave it stock. That being said, a cam change is pretty straightforward. The andrews 48 would probably be better than the 222. You don't have to pay the Woods "tax." If you do it, change the lifters and get a GOOD dyno tune.

That being said, there is no reason a 107 can't be reliable for lots of miles, but you're increasing the risk of premature wear in most cases.

You'll get a big bump with a 222 or 48 cam in a 2013 compared to stock. My vote is that if you "HAVE" to do something to the motor and you value reliability and longevity.

For the record, I have 2 touring bikes. One with a fairly modified motor and one plain jane stock.

 

OP, check out the cycle-rama 570-2 cam or the 575 as well

Nice dyno's over in the htt dyno forum.

The 575 will give you a little less punch down low compared the the 48, 222 or 570- but will give you the option to grow by either adding headwork or headwork and some cubes down the road.

 

Here's a friend of mines bike with the 222's installed.

 

Do it all at once now if you have the $ching$.

 

I love my 107 build but I wouldn't do it if longevity were a concern. As posted the 222 is not a good choice for the 107 either. I would do the cams and call it a day.

I put about 15-18k a year on between a couple of bikes. My 107 has been flawless thus far. The strain on the other parts is going to be based on how you drive it. I don't flog my bikes but when I want the power it's there. I am interested to see how it holds up. The bike I use for my long range trips remains unmolested.