Cheapest way to keep up with my bud's 88ci Softail?

[rel3rd]

Went for a rain shortened ride yesterday, but found out rather quickly that my 1997 Softail Custom is MUCH slower than my buddy's 2003 EFI'd Softail Custom.

My mods are simple....re-jetted CV carb, SE slip-ons, and a K&N inside of a stock round air cleaner.

He has a set of Bassani pipes, and an open Arlen Ness super sucker air cleaner, as well as a SE re-map for "Stage 1", is how he described it.

At cruise rpm and speed he seems to not have much more power than me if accelerating up a hill or whatever, but with a quick downshift from both of us, he literally leaves me standing still, lol.

Any suggestions on what I can do to try and at least keep pace with him? (hopefully without breaking the bank)

I did find out after getting back home, that my pipes had loosened at the head, but bike honestly didn't feel like it dropped a ton of power...just seemed like he had a ton more than I did.

The last time we rode together, 18 years ago, he had a slightly modded Sportster and I had a (big for the era) 86ci Shovelhead and I could obliterate him at will...I miss that, lol....

[DBChoppers]

The least expensive way to go is a Crane 286-2B cam run it 4* advanced (it has a built in advance gear) it's a great bolt in cam, and install a Mikuni 42mm easy kit carb. I'm sure you will be very happy with the power.

[claydbal]

ev3 or ev27, better air cleaner, lower primary gearing, jet the CV correctly, and you wiill smoke him without dropping a gear.

not to argue DB, just another alternative.

[nvsteve]

The CV is a good carb. I wouldn't spend the money on an aftermarket carb unless you highly mod the motor.
I don't remember what gears are in the 97 primary. If they are 3.15, go to 3.37.
Carb tune, cams, primary gearing and at minimum you'll keep up with him.

[lazybones]

My 95 FXSTC with tweaked heads, EV27, Dyna2000 and Super E loves to play with stage 1 TC88's.

My buddy admitted just this weekend that the motivation for him to put an S&S 95 inch kit on his TC last winter was because he got tired of not being able to catch me.

The thing is, he still can't catch me. I haven't told him it's because he shifting way to soon. If he figures out how to drive that bike I'll be in trouble.

The point in all this is to say, find someone who knows how to work those heads and write him the check and that 80incher will wake right up. With the right cam, ignition and exhaust of course.

[claydbal]

Originally Posted by lazybones

My 95 FXSTC with tweaked heads, EV27, Dyna2000 and Super E loves to play with stage 1 TC88's.

My buddy admitted just this weekend that the motivation for him to put an S&S 95 inch kit on his TC last winter was because he got tired of not being able to catch me.

The thing is, he still can't catch me. I haven't told him it's because he shifting way to soon. If he figures out how to drive that bike I'll be in trouble.

The point in all this is to say, find someone who knows how to work those heads and write him the check and that 80incher will wake right up. With the right cam, ignition and exhaust of course.

LOL, dont teach him to ride, make him build a bigger motor, then whip him some more!

[rel3rd]

Thanks for the replies so far guys.

I forgot to add, I already have a larger rear drive belt sprocket than stock, which I "think" should have given it more final gear??? Stock was 65 tooth, I believe, but this one is 72 if I recall.

It seems like my bike wants to rev up higher than does before hitting a rev limiter...especially in 1st gear.

FWIW, I had a Forcewinder air cleaner on the bike originally, and any power loss from going to a stock one with the K&N wasn't able to be "felt".

[Hillside]

A Wood 6, good valve job, and re-surface to bump the compression. 48 pilot/175 main jet. OE ignition will work.
Gearing change can work/will work wonders as well.
The BIGGEST bang for the dollar spent, outside of an 883-1200 conversion.
You will SMOKE your friends 88", and a lot of dealer 95".
If you tune it, it'll hover at 80 hp, 90 ft/lbs.
Scott

[bbrowncods]

Loose weight!

[rel3rd]

Originally Posted by bbrowncods

Loose weight!

Not an option...

[bbrowncods]

Originally Posted by rel3rd

Not an option...

You said cheapest...

[route66paul]

A TC has more CIs than an evo and it has some better features for speed. there are many tried and true methods for making an evo fast, but at some point, you will be outclassed.

Boost the comp, run a hot cam(the 27 is good) get a good tune, head work helps, free flowing air filter and exhaust, you should do just fine.

[rel3rd]

Originally Posted by bbrowncods

You said cheapest...

I meant cheapest outlay of cash. I'm fat (285#) and don't see that changing anytime soon. Although money saved on food and beverages would easily pay for a big cubed motor, lol...Then I'd be skinny and fast.

Thanks for the ideas everyone. Time to start researching...It seems it may be most cost effective to "do it all at once", so this may be an off season series of modifications.

[Dr.Hess]

Well, not to rain on your parade, but at 285, you really need to lose about a hundred. That's like bolting on HP and you also might live long enough to enjoy it. You asked. Just sayin'.

[rcsoftail]

As others have said, shave the heads to bump up the compression, put in an ev27 cam and tune the carb. This shouldn't cost you too much.