FM 107 kit vs TW-555 only
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,322
From: Western South Dakota
You always want more, that is the nature of the beast. I would love a 107 kit.
I just got done saying in another thread that my stage II does everything I want it to and then some
It runs very well for what it is and I am content with it as I am sure you would be as well.
It depends on how much $$$$ you have and what your reality is.
I'm trying to focus on paying off my house, and being self employed is not easy.
I just got done saying in another thread that my stage II does everything I want it to and then some
It runs very well for what it is and I am content with it as I am sure you would be as well.
It depends on how much $$$$ you have and what your reality is.
I'm trying to focus on paying off my house, and being self employed is not easy.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 193
Likes: 1
From: MD
It is a normal drive for sure and I was stuck in it as well. I do have the WARDS FANs and I have had them for a few years. My ETIMS still kicks on from time to time in traffic even with WARDS and I am have heard that going above the 96" in this kind of traffic can kill the engine by a local indy shop. But honestly, that was a comment without any cases that he could point to where it happened and I am wondering what the reality is given HD puts out a stock 103 already?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,145
Likes: 6,166
From: SE Michigan
On reliability, here are my thoughts, I'm going to Little Chute in late May:
1) while they havent experienced any problems with bored stock jugs, I'm going to spend the extra money and buy the FM jugs. They have thicker walls and better cooling fins. Given the increased heat because of higher compression, I think this is a decent reliability investment. These jugs will maintain their shape better because of heat characteristics.
2) I have true duals which pretty much rules out ported heads from a value perspective, but for ~~$200 I'm going to have them refresh my heads with what they would normally put in their ported heads - better valve springs, valves, seals, etc etc.
1) while they havent experienced any problems with bored stock jugs, I'm going to spend the extra money and buy the FM jugs. They have thicker walls and better cooling fins. Given the increased heat because of higher compression, I think this is a decent reliability investment. These jugs will maintain their shape better because of heat characteristics.
2) I have true duals which pretty much rules out ported heads from a value perspective, but for ~~$200 I'm going to have them refresh my heads with what they would normally put in their ported heads - better valve springs, valves, seals, etc etc.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 7
From: Wisconsin
The question is NOT about $ to HP but the $/HP compared to longevity and reliability increasing that displacement from 96 to 107" given the higher compression ratio and CI. Sorry, if that did not come across properly in my post. I am perfectly fine spending another $500 in a engine build as long as I do not lose riding my bike all over and sit in this awesome east coast traffic for hours on end in bumper to bumper traffic in July to gain that 10 HP.
I'm not trying to sell you on the FM107, I'm just trying to let you know that if you are worried about reliability or overheating, don't be. Fuel Moto does a good job putting together a very reliable package.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 6
From: Livingston, Texas
The question is NOT about $ to HP but the $/HP compared to longevity and reliability increasing that displacement from 96 to 107" given the higher compression ratio and CI. Sorry, if that did not come across properly in my post. I am perfectly fine spending another $500 in a engine build as long as I do not lose riding my bike all over and sit in this awesome east coast traffic for hours on end in bumper to bumper traffic in July to gain that 10 HP.
All this talk would be over
Somebody needs a test bike for customers to ride.
Your right hand determines yer riding style on a 107
You can ride like you do now.
Or twist a little harder and yer eyes opens more and yer adrenaline starts to flow.You are the one that has to control yer right hand.
But if you ride a 107 Once, Alll the questions and talk will be gone. And you will not want to go back to a 96 or a 103 cu motor again.
It is that Good.
And everything you did you will be glad you did i†. And will be asking yourself. Why did I worry about a warranty or wait so long.
And why didn't Harley build a engine like this. Best engine I've ever had is what you will be saying.
Take it easy till you get it broke in oh.
And you won't be winding your bike to over 5200 rpm.
In 6th gear at 3250 rpm I'm running like 90 mph.
You should be shifting around 4500 rpm. with the 555 woods cams.
It produces that much power
Last edited by cardboard; Apr 22, 2014 at 08:49 AM.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,968
Likes: 54
I just got a set of the 555 cams in. I have to wait until my warranty is up (December) to all of this stuff but I will do the full 107 with B heads as I want all the power I can get out of this beast. Why only do half a build? It might be enough but if I can get more out of it I will do what I have to in order to get that extra. My only concern is gas mileage as I prefer to be able to get what I get now and I know I won't with my heavy hand.
Regardless, I will probably do the FM cylinders and definitely the b heads with this. Who knows on compression. My last 10:25:1 compression bike was a 95" and pinged terribly but I think that was the tune. It was rock solid reliable.
I guess I could always sell my 555"'s and just get a set of 222"'s and call it a day. So many choices out there. It's a good thing I have many months to figure this out.
Regardless, I will probably do the FM cylinders and definitely the b heads with this. Who knows on compression. My last 10:25:1 compression bike was a 95" and pinged terribly but I think that was the tune. It was rock solid reliable.
I guess I could always sell my 555"'s and just get a set of 222"'s and call it a day. So many choices out there. It's a good thing I have many months to figure this out.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 193
Likes: 1
From: MD
Great to know, the ol' man lives in Valpo and I have spent plenty of time in the Chicago area traffic jams on a harley and it is pretty similar. It looks like going to the 107 kit will be just fine and I will go ahead and pull the trigger as they say.
I have 12,000 miles and 2 years on my FM107 kit with no issues. I've spent hours in Chicago bumper to bumper traffic with no issues. Sure, my engine gets hot in traffic, but not as hot as the stock engine did (remember how lean stock HDs are tuned). A good tune will be very helpful to eliminate heat.
I'm not trying to sell you on the FM107, I'm just trying to let you know that if you are worried about reliability or overheating, don't be. Fuel Moto does a good job putting together a very reliable package.
I'm not trying to sell you on the FM107, I'm just trying to let you know that if you are worried about reliability or overheating, don't be. Fuel Moto does a good job putting together a very reliable package.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: West Point, VA
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 48
From: WI
[quote=cardboard;12623203]All you have to do is ride a 107 1 time
All this talk would be over
Somebody needs a test bike for customers to ride.
Your right hand determines yer riding style on a 107
You can ride like you do now.
Or twist a little harder and yer eyes opens more and yer adrenaline starts to flow.You are the one that has to control yer right hand.
But if you ride a 107 Once, Alll the questions and talk will be gone. And you will not want to go back to a 96 or a 103 cu motor again.
It is that Good.
And everything you did you will be glad you did i. And will be asking yourself. Why did I worry about a warranty or wait so long.
And why didn't Harley build a engine like this. Best engine I've ever had is what you will be saying.
Take it easy till you get it broke in oh.
And you won't be winding your bike to over 5200 rpm.
In 6th gear at 3250 rpm I'm running like 90 mph.
You should be shifting around 4500 rpm. with the 555 woods cams.
It produces that much power[/quote
Except a 117"
All this talk would be over
Somebody needs a test bike for customers to ride.
Your right hand determines yer riding style on a 107
You can ride like you do now.
Or twist a little harder and yer eyes opens more and yer adrenaline starts to flow.You are the one that has to control yer right hand.
But if you ride a 107 Once, Alll the questions and talk will be gone. And you will not want to go back to a 96 or a 103 cu motor again.
It is that Good.
And everything you did you will be glad you did i. And will be asking yourself. Why did I worry about a warranty or wait so long.
And why didn't Harley build a engine like this. Best engine I've ever had is what you will be saying.
Take it easy till you get it broke in oh.
And you won't be winding your bike to over 5200 rpm.
In 6th gear at 3250 rpm I'm running like 90 mph.
You should be shifting around 4500 rpm. with the 555 woods cams.
It produces that much power[/quote
Except a 117"