Why do folks do major modifications to their bikes and not expect to be wrenching on it constantly? I am all for modifying the bike, to me that is the purpose of buying a bike and making it my own. However, I expect that once I do a major modification (i.e. larger engine, stage II, III, IV; etc) that I will have other issues down the rode. Why should I expect other issues, because MOCO set the bike up for a standard 96 cu in, not as a performance bike or a racer. So having said that I am in the pro-modification camp, their seem to be a lot of folks who pay for their modifications and then are upset when they have to keep going back to the stealer or something breaks on them. Shouldn't these folks learn to expect issues once you have altered your bike.

The reality is that is part of the fun of the modification, it allows you to learn your bike better than anyone else. But it appears folks want things done quick and with no headaches so they can throw their weekend leathers and full-face helmets on and just ride with their new 120R (on the nice days of course).

Sorry for the vent, but if you are gonna modify it expect to become intimate with fixing it

 

I aint broken **** (touch wood). And its my daily ride. And it is belted daily.

But its S&S......

 

Thank God for the internet...Because they wouldn't have a place to come to whine and complain about it...I sure am glad the internet wasn't around in the shovel head and iron head days.

 

I remember when I used to do mods on small block Chevys. The older guys would always say "it's gonna run great, but it's going to eat itself up faster". True, and I didn't have unrealistic expectations. Part of playing the game.

 

Okay, lemmee splain it to you, Lucy.
It is an addiction.
Like drinking.
You know if you drink too much, you are going to have a hangover.
Does that stop you from doing it again?
Of course not.

Mods.
Same thing.
You know it is going to cause something else to need tweaking, but that is not going to stop you from doing it.

Mark Twain understood it:
"Too much of a good thing is never enough"

I could stop modding my bike any time I want to.
But I'm no Quitter.

Hope this helps....

 

you are correct -- more modification means taxing on some other components -- just need to go over the bike on a routine basis

I have 20k miles on my HQs 107 not one problem

Have 540 miles on my new S&S 111 not one problem and don't expect to have any

anybody in the market for a cycle-rama 131 (154 tq/134hp) for a very resonable price

 

I'm not complaining about doing the modifications, I am all for it the bigger or faster the better. Just don't complain when other crap breaks because of the modifications that you have chosen. This rant is complaining about the modification complainers, not about the modifications.

 

I wanted to screw around with the mufflers on my 09 RK. After asking around I found quite a few bikers who had the dealer change the exhaust and intake (air cleaner) and remap and dyno the bike. Quite a few of them were not happy with the results and more than one wished he had never done it! I know that this is a direct reflection of the shop doing the work, but, when it came time for me to make the changes I decided that I would do the work myself so that I could undo it if not happy.
If you don't turn the wrench yourself you are at the mercy of the shop/mechanic that does. My change was just about as EZ as they get (mufflers/fuelpak). With engine work it is a whole nuther can of worms.
CHOOSE THE MECHANIC/SHOP CAREFULLY! Reputation, length of time in business and especially reference from previous customrs would be a priority of mine.

 

Well I did some stuff to my old Fat Boy, which I still have, I doubled the horsepower and installed a six speed. It's an '02 so it should have given me trouble, but it hasn't yet. I did engine work to my Streetglide, and added a Fat Cat along with some powder coat, and damned if the stereo didn't quit! So I guess that proves that modding your bike causes a lot of trouble.

Seriously, if things are done RIGHT, these bikes are really dependable. After '02 the low ends are questionable, but even they seem okay, if you don't get all herky jerky with burnouts and such.

 

modding a bike (or other vehicle) for more power doesn't necessarily make it less reliable, but it's like stretching a chain, you will find the next weakest link... i.e. increase the HP and the clutch slips, beef up the clutch and the belt breaks, convert belt to chain and the tires won't hook up. I had my engine done last fall and am VERY happy with the results, and after beefing up my clutch I don't expect any other issues. a 95" cylinder won't wear out any faster than an 88" one, etc.

people get into relibility issues when they don't treat the whole vehicle as a 'system' and modify accordingly... things like more hp means going faster means you'll eventually need better brakes, etc.