Harley Build?
- Thread starter fleming442
- Start date
OKay. Being a Harley Owner and somewhat familiar with the vintage world, which to me is anything older than the last Shovels of 85, that 80 Sporty did not come from the factory with FI. Back they they had carbs, likely some version of the Keihin, possibly a C-V but think they are newer. Drag pipes are good for noise and nuisance value, only. Not going to get into the science of exhaust scavenging and pipe length but having baffles or mufflers on your header or twice pipes seems to make the older V-twins run more happily. Has anyone ever done a static compression test on this engine? When the pistons were replaced the first time, was the piston to barrel wall clearance checked? Have the cylinders been measured using a bore gauge for concentricity top and bottom? Were the rings checked for the correct end gap? Are the pistons flat-top or high pop ups? Did whoever assembled the engine do a clay or tootsie roll check on the valve to piston clearance. (Tootsie Roll?? yeah just leave them in the wrapper. Check out the PowerNation site, they show how to do it. Cleaner than clay and more precise.)
And the point about winding the thing up to redline and dropping the clutch made above is appropriate too. What kind of riding habits does this dude have? This sporty is not like a Kawi or along that line where you can wind the thing up like a clockwork mouse and it will scream happily down the road.]
The point about the carb is also relevant. Without having the carb in pieces on my bench it is difficult to point the finger but with multiple circuits needing to be tuned one could be c*ck on and the others totally screwed. Could also be trying to run the carb without an air cleaner and ingesting dirty air.
Get a manual; they are available on line from multiple sources including, probably, Amazon
Finally, in all the top end frenzy, has any thought been given to the possibility of trash from the multiple ka-booms making its way down past the rods and into the bottom end? Even the most micro of particles of aluminum if it gets into the bearings or oil pump can trash that mill beyond redemption.
Throwing fresh pistons into a Sporty is not a shade tree operation; although it used to get done in the dusty fields down in Sturgis a time or two in the good? old days. Doing a top end is no different in terms of the degree of accuracy and cleanliness that needs to be present than if it were a short block for one of our rides. Sure you can do it in the dirt but expect to pay a price for that fast and dirty dingleball hone job that got you back on the road, For Now>
Nick
And the point about winding the thing up to redline and dropping the clutch made above is appropriate too. What kind of riding habits does this dude have? This sporty is not like a Kawi or along that line where you can wind the thing up like a clockwork mouse and it will scream happily down the road.]
The point about the carb is also relevant. Without having the carb in pieces on my bench it is difficult to point the finger but with multiple circuits needing to be tuned one could be c*ck on and the others totally screwed. Could also be trying to run the carb without an air cleaner and ingesting dirty air.
Get a manual; they are available on line from multiple sources including, probably, Amazon
Finally, in all the top end frenzy, has any thought been given to the possibility of trash from the multiple ka-booms making its way down past the rods and into the bottom end? Even the most micro of particles of aluminum if it gets into the bearings or oil pump can trash that mill beyond redemption.
Throwing fresh pistons into a Sporty is not a shade tree operation; although it used to get done in the dusty fields down in Sturgis a time or two in the good? old days. Doing a top end is no different in terms of the degree of accuracy and cleanliness that needs to be present than if it were a short block for one of our rides. Sure you can do it in the dirt but expect to pay a price for that fast and dirty dingleball hone job that got you back on the road, For Now>
Nick
Ready for a laugh? Wilbur, this dude that works out of his home garage did the heads and jugs. I can only assume it's not an assembly issue for the $1000 price tag. New domed pistons, rings, hone/bore, valve job.....
Rider is 28 yr old male who was severely disappointed when he couldn't keep up with a certain red Oldsmobile. He swore that bike is fast. I think he learned a lesson blowing it up the 2nd time. It probably only had 3-400 miles on it.
Rider is 28 yr old male who was severely disappointed when he couldn't keep up with a certain red Oldsmobile. He swore that bike is fast. I think he learned a lesson blowing it up the 2nd time. It probably only had 3-400 miles on it.
Lemme see here. Dude drops a yard on a brand new top end, pro built, and then tries a hot 442 without any decent amount of break in time on the mill? JMPOH but sounds like an expensive way to learn a lesson. Fleming, you old hound you, by any chance were you teasing the kitty ever so slightly??
Nick
Nick
