103 Engine Modifications
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Stage IV
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Nanaimo, BC Canada
103 Engine Modifications
My hubby is unhappy with the performance of his 2009 Tri-Glide. He has the Stage 2 kit (SE255 cams) and Vance and Hines True Duals. He is considering either a Stage 4 kit or an entirely new motor. A 120R engine was recommended by the dealer. Now here's the catch....my hubby has had colon cancer surgery and his butt will be tender for a long time. He also has a bad back. Another dealer said that the 120R will give the trike a very "lumpy" ride and will feel like you're in a logging truck. I know this will make him very uncomfortable. Is there anybody out there that has this motor in their trike? Thoughts? I keep getting different opinions everywhere I turn about how to give the trike more power. I don't want him to spend thousands of bucks on his bike, only to find it less enjoyable to ride! Also, is there anything more he could do to his 103 motor to make it better, rather than buying a new one? Would he notice a huge difference with the Stage 4 kit, and is it "lumpy" too?
Thanks in advance for your help here....my hubby hates computers so that's why I'm doing this
Thanks in advance for your help here....my hubby hates computers so that's why I'm doing this
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 6
From: Northern Michigan
I cant help with comments on 120R but I did install the FuelMoto 107" kit on wifes '10 TG. I seems to be just right for power now.
This is what I added with the 107" kit: "B" heads done by FuelMoto, Woods 555 cams, Fueling HP+ oil pump, Zippers HiFlo air cleaner, FuelMoto headpipe, ThunderMax tuner, Torrington inner cam bearings.
There are variations to the above , those are just what I did with excellent results.
In addition I swapped out the primary drive pulley from 32 tooth to 30 tooth, that alone will boost the "performance" even on a stock TG. ( The 30 tooth pulley is now stock on '11 and up TGs).
Another thing to do for ride comfort is add a lift kit for the rear end , it will allow you to reduce shock pressure so they can give you some cushion and keeps the pipes from draging on occasion. The lift kits are sold by DK Custom Products and TGlide stuff.
Good luck on your search.
This is what I added with the 107" kit: "B" heads done by FuelMoto, Woods 555 cams, Fueling HP+ oil pump, Zippers HiFlo air cleaner, FuelMoto headpipe, ThunderMax tuner, Torrington inner cam bearings.
There are variations to the above , those are just what I did with excellent results.
In addition I swapped out the primary drive pulley from 32 tooth to 30 tooth, that alone will boost the "performance" even on a stock TG. ( The 30 tooth pulley is now stock on '11 and up TGs).
Another thing to do for ride comfort is add a lift kit for the rear end , it will allow you to reduce shock pressure so they can give you some cushion and keeps the pipes from draging on occasion. The lift kits are sold by DK Custom Products and TGlide stuff.
Good luck on your search.
Last edited by icebite1; Aug 14, 2013 at 06:49 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 6
From: SC
My hubby is unhappy with the performance of his 2009 Tri-Glide. He has the Stage 2 kit (SE255 cams) and Vance and Hines True Duals. He is considering either a Stage 4 kit or an entirely new motor. A 120R engine was recommended by the dealer. Now here's the catch....my hubby has had colon cancer surgery and his butt will be tender for a long time. He also has a bad back. Another dealer said that the 120R will give the trike a very "lumpy" ride and will feel like you're in a logging truck. I know this will make him very uncomfortable. Is there anybody out there that has this motor in their trike? Thoughts? I keep getting different opinions everywhere I turn about how to give the trike more power. I don't want him to spend thousands of bucks on his bike, only to find it less enjoyable to ride! Also, is there anything more he could do to his 103 motor to make it better, rather than buying a new one? Would he notice a huge difference with the Stage 4 kit, and is it "lumpy" too?
Thanks in advance for your help here....my hubby hates computers so that's why I'm doing this
Thanks in advance for your help here....my hubby hates computers so that's why I'm doing this
What is is his expectations and wants for his Triglide for over all power?
Plan on riding long distance or trailering and or riding local?
Stage 4 103 kit >> Dont waste the money. The components with the kit are not a good fit and dont produce the power claimed without additional work. Plus, it is not designed for a trike in mind
120R crate engine, needs a cam change before its up and running in a trike and there is no warranty from Harley at all. The cams in the engine are not designed for torque in the rpm range we ride in
S&S T124" Low Compression crate engine. A one year warranty from S&S on the engine. A good overall engine package that would give you loads of power for a trike
With this being said I want to emphasize something that is very critical with riding a bike/trike with a 120" or 124" engine. These engines by design need to be ridden in a higher rpm range before shifting to the next higher gear to prevent lugging the engine and doing possible damage to it.
To plainly put it if you continually ride the tirke in a gear higher than 2nd in lower the rpms 2200 or lower dont expect the engine to last. These long stroke engines need at least 400-500 higher rpms than the current stroke you have in your 103"
There is another option for building a very strong engine for a trike that uses your existing stroke and that would be to build a custom 117" engine. If you want more info send me a pm and I will respond with what I know
Just so you know my knowledge comes from starting with a 103" engine then building a 117" and now running a 124"
Tom
Last edited by FLTR2008TRIKE; Aug 14, 2013 at 10:16 AM.
My hubby is unhappy with the performance of his 2009 Tri-Glide. He has the Stage 2 kit (SE255 cams) and Vance and Hines True Duals. He is considering either a Stage 4 kit or an entirely new motor. A 120R engine was recommended by the dealer. Now here's the catch....my hubby has had colon cancer surgery and his butt will be tender for a long time. He also has a bad back. Another dealer said that the 120R will give the trike a very "lumpy" ride and will feel like you're in a logging truck. I know this will make him very uncomfortable. Is there anybody out there that has this motor in their trike? Thoughts? I keep getting different opinions everywhere I turn about how to give the trike more power. I don't want him to spend thousands of bucks on his bike, only to find it less enjoyable to ride! Also, is there anything more he could do to his 103 motor to make it better, rather than buying a new one? Would he notice a huge difference with the Stage 4 kit, and is it "lumpy" too?
Thanks in advance for your help here....my hubby hates computers so that's why I'm doing this
Thanks in advance for your help here....my hubby hates computers so that's why I'm doing this
That being said, if you are going to change out the engine I would also recommend an S&S engine in a heartbeat over the Harley. If Harley built it. Harley has a notorious bad weak bottom end.
Just a thought though, You didn't mention if the front drive sprocket has been changed out to a 30 tooth in place of a 32 tooth. That one mod will make a whole different power band for the trike. Harley had put on the 32 tooth on the trikes until the '11's came out. Then they went with the 30 tooth. Worth a look !
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,792
Likes: 6
From: North East Ohio
I would changes out the 32 tooth for the 30 tooth and give it a try before I did anything else. The 30 tooth sprocket makes a world of difference.
Last edited by oldmsocko; Aug 14, 2013 at 06:45 PM.
Usually not to just change the two teeth. It would take another belt if you went any further, or wanted to change the rear driven pulley. The belt should be the same.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: NE Ohio
Stock belt is good to go with a 32 to 30 tooth swap.
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Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Nanaimo, BC Canada
Thanks for replies!
Thanks for all of your input! He has changed the sprocket to a 30 tooth. He doesn't pull a trailer at all and just rides locally. He has mentioned that he'd love some more power off the line....however I don't understand how that's possible when you are riding a heavy trike, lol! What do I know though?! He has also mentioned the lag time when you twist the throttle? Can that be changed to have immediate response?
He is thinking of having the screaming eagle heavy breather kit installed soon.
I wish he'd just be satisfied with what he has! lol The fastest we ride over here on the island is about 70, 75 mph. It's usually just tooling around the city at around 40-50 mph. Maybe he's going thru a phase since his diagnosis....trying to compensate.
As for "lumpy", the mechanic said it's like when you are in a logging truck and it's idling very rough and the whole vehicle is vibrating and jarring your bones. Haha! He said high compression motors will do that. Well, my hubby has a very tender body since surgery, so I know he won't want a rough, lumpy ride!
Good night all.....thanks again!
He is thinking of having the screaming eagle heavy breather kit installed soon.
I wish he'd just be satisfied with what he has! lol The fastest we ride over here on the island is about 70, 75 mph. It's usually just tooling around the city at around 40-50 mph. Maybe he's going thru a phase since his diagnosis....trying to compensate.
As for "lumpy", the mechanic said it's like when you are in a logging truck and it's idling very rough and the whole vehicle is vibrating and jarring your bones. Haha! He said high compression motors will do that. Well, my hubby has a very tender body since surgery, so I know he won't want a rough, lumpy ride!
Good night all.....thanks again!
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Augusta Georgia
Dixie, I had Colon Cancer surgery in 2005. It took about 5 years before I was comfortable riding anything with a motor. It will just take time. I now have a 2013 Triglide and have no issues with it as far as comfort. The quest for additional power may be not the way to go if internal sensitivity will keep your husband from riding. It's hard to admit but when I wasn't looking I got old!