Cam Education
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Tourer
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From: Westchester, NY
Cam Education
Hi all... I have been reading a lot about the different upgrades that people do on their bike, and while I have some, I am thinking about going to the next step engine wise, and enlisting Fuel Moto to get true duals, their tuner, etc while keeping my SE slip ons (I love their look and sound). That said, I know little about cams, and how they will impact the bike. I know I can get more power, and there has been mention of lower temperature levels, my biggest concern is how it will effect gas mileage. Any all information about cams, and their impact is most welcome, and if there are educational posts out there that I didn't find, any / all links are great as well. Thanks! Andrew
Last edited by RoadKingKamchi; Sep 25, 2011 at 05:47 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
it's a complete science, cams can alter completely the character of a motor- perhaps taking a motor and turning into into a beast at 6000 rpm producing huge horsepower--- but probably at the expense of torque.
a cam selected for a lightweight bike, may not have the torque to move the bike off the line, and require clutch slipping and reving to get going.
or vice versa a torque monster may not work as well as hoped in a lightweight bike
1.st determine the bike, weight loaded, style of riding, and power gains desired.
from those it can be determined which package of parts will work together to achieve the target.
part selection is crucial- it's gotta be a system.
if mileage is important- current cams and programming achieve good mileage-- road speed ( wind resistance)- is the biggest factor.
--I tested my last bike ( 1995 80" FLHTC) 65 MPH=45 MPG/ 80 MPH= 32 MPG--
My current FLHTC gets 43 MPG at 65~70 tested over thousands of miles.
consider reliability- in that each part of the machine is designed to withstand certain forces- increase the forces in one area - and perhaps components fail or have a reduced service life.
there are a number of vendors who has put packages together- for optimal results the entire package should be used--- no use putting in cams if your "fave" pipes work against them. for example
mike
a cam selected for a lightweight bike, may not have the torque to move the bike off the line, and require clutch slipping and reving to get going.
or vice versa a torque monster may not work as well as hoped in a lightweight bike
1.st determine the bike, weight loaded, style of riding, and power gains desired.
from those it can be determined which package of parts will work together to achieve the target.
part selection is crucial- it's gotta be a system.
if mileage is important- current cams and programming achieve good mileage-- road speed ( wind resistance)- is the biggest factor.
--I tested my last bike ( 1995 80" FLHTC) 65 MPH=45 MPG/ 80 MPH= 32 MPG--
My current FLHTC gets 43 MPG at 65~70 tested over thousands of miles.
consider reliability- in that each part of the machine is designed to withstand certain forces- increase the forces in one area - and perhaps components fail or have a reduced service life.
there are a number of vendors who has put packages together- for optimal results the entire package should be used--- no use putting in cams if your "fave" pipes work against them. for example
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Sep 25, 2011 at 04:57 PM.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Westchester, NY
Thanks Mike! That is a great start, and much appreciated. I was looking at the Wood cams, especially the TW6-6 and new TW-555, since that is what Fuel Moto works with when developing their maps. A little extra low end grunt would be nice, and is my biggest goal, but I am not willing to get it by putting my bike at risk for service issues. I have had my girl for 3 years now, and plan on having it for a lot longer. If anyone else would like to chime in, it would be greatly appreciated, and I will also reach out to Fuel Moto, and find out what they think about my current set up vs what is possible with their parts...
it's a complete science, cams can alter completely the character of a motor- perhaps taking a motor and turning into into a beast at 6000 rpm producing huge horsepower--- but probably at the expense of torque.
a cam selected for a lightweight bike, may not have the torque to move the bike off the line, and require clutch slipping and reving to get going.
or vice versa a torque monster may not work as well as hoped in a lightweight bike
1.st determine the bike, weight loaded, style of riding, and power gains desired.
from those it can be determined which package of parts will work together to achieve the target.
part selection is crucial- it's gotta be a system.
if mileage is important- current cams and programming achieve good mileage-- road speed ( wind resistance)- is the biggest factor.
--I tested my last bike ( 1995 80" FLHTC) 65 MPH=45 MPG/ 80 MPH= 32 MPG--
My current FLHTC gets 43 MPG at 65~70 tested over thousands of miles.
consider reliability- in that each part of the machine is designed to withstand certain forces- increase the forces in one area - and perhaps components fail or have a reduced service life.
there are a number of vendors who has put packages together- for optimal results the entire package should be used--- no use putting in cams if your "fave" pipes work against them. for example
mike
a cam selected for a lightweight bike, may not have the torque to move the bike off the line, and require clutch slipping and reving to get going.
or vice versa a torque monster may not work as well as hoped in a lightweight bike
1.st determine the bike, weight loaded, style of riding, and power gains desired.
from those it can be determined which package of parts will work together to achieve the target.
part selection is crucial- it's gotta be a system.
if mileage is important- current cams and programming achieve good mileage-- road speed ( wind resistance)- is the biggest factor.
--I tested my last bike ( 1995 80" FLHTC) 65 MPH=45 MPG/ 80 MPH= 32 MPG--
My current FLHTC gets 43 MPG at 65~70 tested over thousands of miles.
consider reliability- in that each part of the machine is designed to withstand certain forces- increase the forces in one area - and perhaps components fail or have a reduced service life.
there are a number of vendors who has put packages together- for optimal results the entire package should be used--- no use putting in cams if your "fave" pipes work against them. for example
mike
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Westchester, NY
Can you tell me what the impact of that cam was on your bike, and what you love about them? I truly have no experience with cam work... although I can definitely tell when someone has a different cam in the bike by the loping of the engine... thanks!
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