Ok, I'm just trying to clear up something about engine stage kits. I have a 2010 Fatboy that I put on a DFO (fuel regulator), new slip-on pipes, and an air cleaner kit. This was described as "stage one". Stages 2 & 3 included replacing cams, crankshafts,pistons,etc with each stage getting more involved. How much of a gain would I get from doing all this work? I realize you can't give specific details, but ballpark? Is it worth it (I was quoted like $1300 for stage 2 and $2000 for 3,labor included)? I have the 1584cc/96ci stock engine, and I'm not looking to drag race but bigger balls might be nice!!!! LOL Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Oh I mostly do daytrips right now, but this summer I'll be hitting some of the bike weeks, and I've been cross-country on a bike before, if that helps determine my riding needs, Thanx.
Hey Bones
Personally the bikes are really good they way the come. With some little do dahs can really light up and run better. Better fuel management and free breathing really help power and heat kept to a min.
Remember when you go big less reliable and mileage decreases. Everyday rider go with a stage one
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"parts left out cost nothing and create no service problems" Boss Kettering
ok thanks, what "little doo-dahs" might you recommend? you know what I did so far....any other suggestions?
Depends what your your looking for and how much cake you have to spend............
I can say a properly tuned 103 "stage 3" is night and day from your 96"............. I wouldnt do HARLEY PARTS either.......well at least not the cams........look at www.fuelmoto.com......Jamie has some cheap motor kits that make awesome numbers using woods cams........Thats the direction I am going to go when I redo mine....
Its a dog eat dog world and I'm wearin milkbone underware!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I spent thousands on my last sportster motor...stage 2 heads,cams,1250 kit,etc....ended up replacing that motor with a salvage motor(2,000)feels just as strong.A buddy of mine had a stock 883 that could keep up with the built motor light to light....pissed me off.IMHO after stage 1 its not really worth it.
Want to go fast buy a sportbike.
Really any box that you can tune the fuel mixture and pic a set of pipes you like with so,me back pressure, not those strait pipes. Have it dyno tuned and You will be surprized how drivable the bike will become and still get good milageOriginally Posted by ShammyDBones
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(_)'==(_)
"parts left out cost nothing and create no service problems" Boss Kettering
I want stage 11. My '01 88" swapped out pistons and jugs to 95". Opened up the breathing with low restrict air cleaner, cams, pipes and ported heads. I kept stock compression. While the heads are off you might as well port them right? Put on a 44mm carb. The result is much improved usable power. On my heavy FL softail at least. Probably most of it is from the added cubic inches. It easily runs through the buck and the speedo will quickly touch 110 with throttle left. Good when you have to pass a long line of cars or find yourself with a long smooth stretch of asphalt in front of you. heh heh heh I also easily keep up with my hot rod friends when the light turns green and they launch hard. I can outrun most all production cars in the stoplight wars except for a few fast machines(e.g.vette).
But I can't say I don't lust after the 110" or 124" inch motors. Definitely don't need them especially the lusty "full on or full off" 124 but its fun to "want".
Life is best experienced in the company of a woman.
Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker
I'm not here for a long time I'm here for a good time.
I tell you I am not 100% convinced bigger is better. On a run out to Palm Springs a few years back I rode with a few other bikes. 120 inch, 110 inch, sporty with minor mods and my 80 inch 95 hp. Running at 100-110 the entire way the big inchers left us in the dust but after 30 mintes we were buzzing past them like they were dying. They must have built up so much internal heat in the 100+ outside tempature they lost power the sporty and my bike smoked them getting there
.-/c-.,_ /
(_)'==(_)
"parts left out cost nothing and create no service problems" Boss Kettering
You are right for sure. The 124 inch motor feels either full on or full off. 110 is probably a good compromise. But even that isn't needed. The only time the big motors have the advantage is in top gear pulls. It is amazing how they can pull away from you from a roll on starting at around 80!! But we usually cruise with traffic or slightly faster which around here is usually at 75 to 80 so the advantage isn't needed. The bigger motors are harder on starter motors and with a longer stroke you'll get a shorter cylinder life. Although no one seems to care. LOL
I used to think a 4 speed was plenty. It made the bike sound better with its longer legs. Now I wouldn't mind putting a 6 spd in mine. I always seem to look for a 6th gear when getting up on the highway. "oh damn, I'm in top gear already?"
Life is best experienced in the company of a woman.
Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker
I'm not here for a long time I'm here for a good time.
I still have a 80 thousand CC Ironhead. The extra power of the large engine cracks me up. It might be lasting because one has to change the oil in an Ironhead from 20-50 to 60 weight as the seasons change. The in lune oil cooler I use might also help. Changing the oil so often makes one aware of it all.
Harley Davidson Sportster Oil Change Tips And Tricks helps out. Since it's warming up I got to take care of it real soon.
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