Break in question for big bore
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 167
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Break in question for big bore
Installed S S 106 big bore kit in my 09 ultra rode bike 500 miles keeping r.p.m s under 3000. Started having excessive oil sumping into crank case indie says I broke it in to soft and rings did not seal. Installing new rings and says to run it a little harder to put pressure on rings. What is the best way to break bike in?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,504
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From: DOWN SOUTH
3rd gear, 30mph to 60mph let it slow down repeat 10-15 times ALL IN 3rd gear. Take it home, change oil and ride it like you stole it. This is called the quick break in method. If I am wrong, someone will chime in and smack me on the back of the head,lol.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
As an S&S customer myself (new engine) I suggest you ask your indy for the instructions that came with your kit, or visit their website right here. My engine came with clear instructions and I suspect your kit did as well. Asking us you'll just get a different 'best way' from every one of us!
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 134
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From: North Central Ohio
First 100 miles: Vary engine speed from idle to 3000 rpm (or 60 mph)
try and stay away from city traffic were engine could
get Hot, and to much idiling.
200-400 miles: Vary speed and RPM upto 4000 rpm. Check oil level
400 and above: Run bike the way you are comfortable to ride.
Change engine oil and filter.
try and stay away from city traffic were engine could
get Hot, and to much idiling.
200-400 miles: Vary speed and RPM upto 4000 rpm. Check oil level
400 and above: Run bike the way you are comfortable to ride.
Change engine oil and filter.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
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From: Indian Land, SC
Like someone else stated, contact the business who made/sold you the kit and follow their recommendations....
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Edmond Oklahoma
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I agree with this to the extent that sumping from rings not being seated would mean that gas is going past the rings in enough volume to cause a problem. This not likely, your bike would be smoking badly (burning oil) and you would be able to smell gas in your oil. Did the indy do a compression check and a leak down or is he just going tear into it on an assumption? If you have close to the correct PSI compression for your compression ratio and the cams you're running (bigboyzcalculator) and you're not getting a fast leak down then I wouldn't tear back into the top end. The results won't be any different. By the way, if your indy doesn't know how to check compression and do a leak down or doesn't have the equipment to do it, I would suggest you find a different mechanic. Sumping is usually caused by the oil pump failing to scavenge the crankcase. Could be something as simple as a bad o-ring on your return.
Last edited by $tonecold; Jul 17, 2013 at 08:27 AM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Honah Lee
Just how did you measure what you refer to as excess oil sumping? A visual sign of unsealed rings could be possible excess blow by into the crankcase and a lot of oil venting out the breather. Actually if you builder knew what he was doing, he would have done a compression test or leak down test using compressed air. The two stage oil pump suction return side is bigger then the pressure side. Only way you can get excess oil is a pump problem. (something usually broken) by the way, there is always about 15-20oz of oil in the sump, and it is always being dumped on and drawn off. The flywheels of the crank spin in it and aide bearing,cylinder,piston pin and especially inner cam bearing lubrication. Are you saying he replaced rings? Hope he did not charge you. Sounds to me if he did like he is double dipping. If an engine is rebuild correctly with perfectly round cylinders and the proper crosshatch pattern, correctly sized to the piston, the rings will seal in a matter of minutes. Any deviation from perfectly requires it to wear in to seal. If you get too far from perfect (sounds like you man if you have a real problem) it will never wear in round to seal.
Most of this break in silliness is for the builder protection. Even the mother company does it. They do not want you out there turning 5500rpm, and the engine lock up from something they missed and gets you killed.
Most of this break in silliness is for the builder protection. Even the mother company does it. They do not want you out there turning 5500rpm, and the engine lock up from something they missed and gets you killed.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Jul 17, 2013 at 08:39 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,224
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From: St.Louis Mo.
S&S has a very specific way to beak you engine in, go to their web site and read it. heat cycling several times and taking it easy for 500 miles. S&S didn't just dream this up they have been around a long time.