Think I have a cam problem : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

kingbullet · 06-21-2009, 11:13 AM

I have a 98 road king fi w/ sidecar. I have only had it a couple of months. I haven't taken the sidecar off yet to see how it does. It has enough power for me right now accelerating. When I get up to 65 or so in a strong head wind 25+ I can't get into 5th. I can wind 4th all the way out and have to keep it wot to keep it at around 65 +-4mph. If I throw into 5th it just bogs down and decellerates when I open the throttle. Can't ride in 5th into a strong wind. If I don't have the wind it only bogs in 5th if I try to accel fast when I am going around 60 have to down shift no biggy. When the bike was new the owner changed injectors, air filter, SEH-3 cam, remapped, and not sure about the pipes though going to look into that today. They are harley pipes not yet sure if origanal or upgrade. Going to change lifters so might as well do the cam if it is wrong for the bike. Have lifter noise after I go about 20 miles and let it idle or slow down and it continues a little while through acceleration. Went over 200 miles yesterday only got 25 mpg into the wind and 30 with. What do yall think.

Texan · 06-21-2009, 11:44 AM

I'd pull the sidecar off and see what it does. I have an '02 Ultra (TC) that I use for a sidecar barge and really can't get into 5th that much myself. AND I have SE heads, S&S 570G cam, big bore. It dyno'd right at 100 HP with 108HP at the ground.

Another key factor to drag'n a sidecar is setup. If you're friend with your local HD service manager he has a DVD that illustrates the proper set up procedures...and the negative 1% lean you need.

If you're going to open it up to change the lifters go ahead and pick up an EV23 or EV27 Andrews cam with the new lifters. You can call the engineers at Andrews, describe what you're rig is and what how you usually ride. They are great people and will make good suggestions. Also don't forget to change out the cam bearing..!!!! You need a Torrington B138 bearing.

All in all, you might be expecting too much from this rig.

Pull it off and get back to us.

o~\o

route66paul · 06-21-2009, 01:32 PM

Make sure that you have the correct trees for the bike. many sidecars replace the trees with some that have NO trail. If you try to ride the bike like that without the sidecar, you will be very unstable the faster you go. I wouldn't ride it like like that over 20mph.

Hillside · 06-21-2009, 04:20 PM

Your 80" Evo is just flat-a$$ running out of steam.
One of 2 things(or both) can be done so you can make that rig wake up.
1, swap out the cam to either a Wood 6 or Andrews 27, with some mild cylinder head work, and
2, change the the overall gear ratio to raise engine rpm.
If BOTH were done, it would have some big snap, for sure.

Scott

kingbullet · 06-21-2009, 05:11 PM

I did check the pipes and they are stock. Not sure how much more that would give me if I changed those out. I don't want it to loud due to the side car rider is right there. Am I right that the SEH-3 cam gets its power at too high rpm? I think the duration is the same as a 27 but the lift is a little higher @ .503 compared to .495 on the 27 if I read it right.

kingbullet · 06-21-2009, 05:37 PM

Well actually not sure if the pipes are oem. The part number is hd 65547-98. They are slash cut on the ends. I have another set that came with the bike one side is 65538-85. The previous owner had a 95 rk which these might of came from not sure.

4XLT · 06-21-2009, 07:36 PM

how many miles on this thing ??

sounds like its time for a top end rebuild.. honing the cylinder new rings some mild head work and a good valve job, an EV-27 or wood 6 like Scott mention would be perfect for pulling a sidecar...

personally if your going to have it apart liek that i woudl go with a bigger bore, you can give Scott @ hillside or any other sponser on here and get reccomendations !

kingbullet · 06-21-2009, 09:03 PM

bikes has 22k. plugs are clean doesn't seem to burn any oil. it takes off really good just doesn't have it up there at highway into that wind.

kingbullet · 06-22-2009, 10:54 PM

how much do you think different mufflers would help. May ask for opinions on mufflers on a different post if don't get much response. Don't want to be really loud though due to the sidecar. What about programmers or other ignition mods. Appreciate (sp) the input so far.

rredneckn2 · 06-28-2009, 04:47 PM

You need to change belt pulleys Drop 2 teeth on front pulley

claydbal · 06-28-2009, 05:30 PM

you may want to reread my post about the 21 motor sprocket. it comes from experience. you have to run the heck out of an evo pulling a hack. i built and rode this for 2 years.

believe it , or dont.

4XLT · 06-28-2009, 08:00 PM

man thats a beautiful !!!

claydbal · 06-28-2009, 08:32 PM

thanks, the wife loved it.

kingbullet · 06-28-2009, 09:23 PM

Thanks yall. I will definetly consider the sprocket change. I am looking at stuff a little less intrusive just to see if I can get some what satisfied with it. Hope to not have the car on all the time even though wife loves it and its a little bit of a pain to put on.