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HD builds these engines for we the owners. They know we like to work on them. Push Rod engines are easy to work on. Do you know any V-Rod owners who have maybe upgraded their cams? They would sell a V-Rod Tourer with a mid range cam. Owners WILL want more power. A cam job will get really complicated with OHC.
I'd suggest that the MoCo didn't go to all the expense and grief (engineering and marketing) OHC engines (V-Rod excepted) because one of the main points of an OHC is to gain revs reliably (like a V-Rod) but a big Harley runs close to maximum piston speed already so cannot add many revs anyway - even if they did toughen up the crank, bearings etc sufficiently. To get the benefit of doing the OHC you'd also have to shorten the stroke to preserve the engine, probably also make more heat so you'd need jackets etc and before long you've designed a V-Rod.
Well, since someone brought up cams and doing their own work, I have another thought.
Since the SE 255 cam is so popular and most everyone wants more power from their bike, why can't the MoCo just slap it in from the production line?
If it is purely a money thing I will be very disappointed.
Interesting ... I think I read something one time that the stock cam best meets or satisfies EPA requirements. The lower duration is supposed to keep any waste from exiting the exhaust. Or something like that.
Interesting ... I think I read something one time that the stock cam best meets or satisfies EPA requirements. The lower duration is supposed to keep any waste from exiting the exhaust. Or something like that.
Exactly. So, actually, it *is* a money thing, in the sense that by using the stock grind, and tuning *very* lean, they are still able to meet the EPA emissions requirements, saving themselves a ton of re-tooling and re-engineering money, all the while staying mostly 'pure' for the traditionalists so as not to hurt reccuring sales too much, and as someone else suggested, differentiating themselves in the market place from the OHC bikes. It seems, given Harleys absolute dominance in the heavyweight cruiser market, that it's been a pretty successful formula.
The Only time they gonna built harley with overhead cams is if we Stop buying what they got now. you know they are not crazy, Why Replaced if, still selling .. Millions.
Well, since someone brought up cams and doing their own work, I have another thought.
Since the SE 255 cam is so popular and most everyone wants more power from their bike, why can't the MoCo just slap it in from the production line?
If it is purely a money thing I will be very disappointed.
Harley spends a ton of money developing their bikes to meet the various regulations, including low noise and emissions. The reason they don't fit an SE 255 is that it won't meet those regs. The time will come when we won't be allowed to mess up new vehicles, so do it while we may!
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