Thinking bout cams, mmmm maybe not

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Apr 17, 2012 | 01:57 AM

#11

klaybus

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 2,404

Likes: 11

From: Southern Nevada (Pahrump)

Just do it! You'll be glad you did...

Apr 17, 2012 | 06:23 AM

#12

mrfikser

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 2,488

Likes: 30

From: Maryland near DC

I understand the power thing...Like I say.....horsepower is like *****...all men will do what they can to have more and we all want to use all that we have...

Apr 17, 2012 | 06:26 AM

#13

Notgrownup

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 24,709

Likes: 9,211

From: Snow Hill, NC

I added my cams for low end torque... riding 2up in the mountains with luggage it's nice turning in a switchback and gunning it ....OOOOMPH!

Apr 17, 2012 | 06:30 AM

#14

PghCycle24

Road Master

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 1,124

Likes: 4

From: pittsburgh, pa

Quote:

Originally Posted by livindadream

So I been thinking bout added some cams to my road glide custom but I'm thinking I might be getting myself in some trouble. Point is, when I'm driving my car or truck I drive mostly the speed of traffic and never in a hurry. But when I'm on my bike I'm always getting on it, pushing its limits. Since I added the bassani road rage, se a/c and power vision I've gotten worse. I really want some cams but I'm thinking I might abuse the increase in power. I wish I could just slow down and enjoy the ride, I know a harley road glide is not a racer but don't tell my throttle hand that. Any of you guys have this problem? And if so whats the cure?

I like your thinking, livindadream. My Ultra 88 was modified by the original owner, then traded in @only 3500 miles. His loss, since the mods/upgrades came to several thousand $$. They said the Stage II was "highway cams", but I don't know the SE part name/#. The bike had issues for the first two years I owned it, which were only resolved when an old Harley mechanic figured out that it was a cam issue. He opened it up and found the front cam had been intalled "out of time" by the selling/modifying dealer when the bike was new. He reinstalled it properly, retuned it and it runs like a dream now! The bike has more power at highway speeds than I need, since it doesn't really shine until I'm running at 80 mph+. The one time I really got on it (after the cam re-install/re-tuning) I ended up having an extended conversation with a State Trooper. He was an aquiantence, so I was fortunate my license didn't go bye-bye. He pointed out that a deer running into my path (late Oct./night time/pre-rut) would create lots of paperwork for him and a funeral for my family to plan. ENOUGH of that $hit!

I don't know what the top end on the Ultra is, and probably never will. That conversation with the PSP was my wake up call. I push my '08 FLHTP to 9/10ths and beyond on a regular basis. I have to-it's my job, and you do what you have to. But I ride my Ultra for relaxation and enjoyment. If I bought a new Ultra, I'd leave it stock aside from some slip-ons. The stock 103 provides plenty of HP and torque for police service, so it would be MORE than enough for touring on a personal bike.

My '04 Ultra had received all the perfomance modifications she'll ever have. Your gut instinct is right on this one, livindadream. Just ride it the way it sits now. I think you'll be better off in the long run.

Last edited by PghCycle24; Apr 17, 2012 at 06:34 AM.

Apr 17, 2012 | 06:37 AM

#15

RBWIDE

Road Master

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 762

Likes: 14

From: Bellevue, NE

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chunker

One thing to think about for the future. If/when you go to sell it, you may have trouble because of the engine work. Personally my FLHTK has plenty of power and I have no intention of "going inside" it. Pipes, intake etc, but not inside and I wouldn't buy a used bike that someone had. Never know what kind of work was really done, or their skill level. But do what you want to your bike for yourself, but be aware of possible consequences.

I would tend to disagree here. No offense, but HD performance out of the box can best be described, IMO, as anemic. Cams are not a major overhaul, and can wake a bike up some. Done properly, and picking the right ones result in a mod your 'butt Dyno' can feel. To each their own, though, and I respect anyone's decision to leave theirs alone.

Apr 17, 2012 | 07:10 AM

#16

lionsm13

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 56,052

Likes: 88,322

From: Western South Dakota

Cams are fine, it's the getting them dialed in part that is a pain in the *** and it is not inexpensive either.. Tune, auto tuner,dyno to the tune of $$$$$.

Apr 17, 2012 | 09:19 AM

#17

frog13

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 3,140

Likes: 17

From: Wisconsin

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2black1s

Age! My Limited is the first vehicle in my life that has not seen its top speed. I'm 58 now and 100mph on a Harley is fast enough.

I'm going to be 57 this year and yep, 100mph is plenty fast, but I like to get to 100 mph in a few seconds.

Seriously though, adding the cams and getting it tuned properly is a great boost. I also can't stress the tune, you'll read on here about how smooth it runs and the "driveability" factor, all that and I now beleive it's true. My last bike and now this one, I ran "canned" maps, they worked great, lots of power, no "hiccups", all was good. This year, I had a dyno tune done, wow is all I can say! Even the ol' lady noticed how smooth everything worked together. I'm not even going to plug my tuner, although I have great faith in him, what I am plugging is the dyno tune itself, if done by a good tuner does make a difference.

Apr 17, 2012 | 09:27 AM

#18

Buckinfitch

Supporter

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 13,870

Likes: 4,083

From: Taylortucky, MI

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenewrage

Its a power increase but its not an outrageous increase. It just gets you to your speed faster. I more than likely will not have another bike without cams.

well... if you do, don't reckon you'll get too far

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Apr 17, 2012 | 09:38 AM

#19

frog13

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 3,140

Likes: 17

From: Wisconsin

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckinfitch

well... if you do, don't reckon you'll get too far

Now that was just funny!

Apr 17, 2012 | 09:48 AM

#20

blusmbl

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 1,268

Likes: 8

From: Detroit, the asshole of America

I probably wouldn't do mine again. It's definitely quicker and made a noticeable improvement, but it wasn't "oh my god this bike is a beast". I suppose I should've had realistic expectations. I came off an 02 Suzuki Hayabusa, and still have a CRF450X dirtbike.

The other bummer is with a full face helmet it got too loud. Between pulling the cat headpipe off and the cam swap, with a full face it is too loud to enjoy now. With a half helmet it's okay, but that's not how I like to protect myself with the horrible Michigan drivers.

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