So what's so great about forged pistons?

[58GT]

I know, they're strong, light, thermally stable and stuff. But are they a necessity in a 100/100 build?

[jmorton10]

No, they're not.

~John

[Nightboy]

Cast pistons will probably be just fine. I think that Forged pistons become more of a necessity when your doing a high CR. But you dont need a high cr for 100/100 numbers at all.

[HDMD88]

Originally Posted by Nightboy

Cast pistons will probably be just fine. I think that Forged pistons become more of a necessity when your doing a high CR. But you dont need a high cr for 100/100 numbers at all.

Now thats good advice....I think your getting it. Some day we will talk about the Delkron cam plate, till then.......

[b-footn]

Originally Posted by hdmd88

Now thats good advice....I think your getting it. Some day we will talk about the Delkron cam plate, till then.......

I'm all ears on the Delkron Cam plate.

[HDMD88]

Originally Posted by b-footn

I'm all ears on the Delkron Cam plate.

The plate has a lot to be desired when it comes to the cam bore tolarences. Not to much of a problem with the chain drive but when the gear drive is used we see problems with gear fitment. The cam plate is stronger than stock but the stock cam plate is more than effient. There isn't a need for this over built cam plate with the cams you can run on the street, when you get into spring seat pressures of 200 to 250 lbs and cam lifts that exceed .650 you will need a stronger cam plate till then save your money. There are more failures on the stock rocker plates than a cam plate. S/E makes a heavier rocker plate....if the factory sells it there must be an issue with it when stronger valve springs are used. To me the rocker plate is the weak link, now even that depends on how hard you ride.

[b-footn]

Originally Posted by hdmd88

The plate has a lot to be desired when it comes to the cam bore tolarences. Not to much of a problem with the chain drive but when the gear drive is used we see problems with gear fitment. The cam plate is stronger than stock but the stock cam plate is more than effient. There isn't a need for this over built cam plate with the cams you can run on the street, when you get into spring seat pressures of 200 to 250 lbs and cam lifts that exceed .650 you will need a stronger cam plate till then save your money. There are more failures on the stock rocker plates than a cam plate. S/E makes a heavier rocker plate....if the factory sells it there must be an issue with it when stronger valve springs are used. To me the rocker plate is the weak link, now even that depends on how hard you ride.

Now you've done it. I'll look into the rocker plate issue

Thanks, I appreciate all the knowledge that I can get.

I don't know if it makes any difference in whether I do the build on my Heritage, or do the build on an Electra Glide. Looks like my neighbor's 2002 Ultra might be for sale in the near future.

[Nightboy]

Are we talking about the SE forged rocker supports? Yeah, I already picked up those too, they are definetly a good idea. But Ive been told by many builders that the Delkron plate is a very good idea, especially for the Woods products and other agressive ramp lines.

[LAF]

I do know from personal experience that with forged pistons you MUST warm your bike up as they take longer (lot) to heat up to expand. If you run them cold they do not like it. I also have heard if you don't warm them they will try to turn top end to bottom end in the cylinder and slap, not cool either.

[Nightboy]

b-footn: BTW here is a heads up for you, you can get a higher quality cam support plate from http://www.vulcan-works.com . Their cam plate is superior to the Delkron unit and is also $100 cheaper. These guys are located 10 minutes north of my house. And they also make a better Rocker support plate set made of a stonger billet aluminum. The SE rocker support set I got I ended up returning this morning due to poor fitment(one of the bolts holes did not line up perfectly) and what looked to be a small fissure crack. I wasnt impressed, and Im not taking any chances either. Im currently back in NH this week and will be picking up my set tommarow morning.

[csoday]

b-footn, the SE forged rocker support is the way to go and the stock cam support plate will work fine, don't waste your money.

[Nightboy]

b-footn, the SE forged rocker support is the way to go and the stock cam support plate will work fine, don't waste your money

The SE forged rocker support is actually NOT the way to go. There actually have been many problems with this part from HD and have acutally been recalls in the past due to poor fitment.

Here is a link from the original part # for RMA: http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/...r.supports.pdf

Then the A revision had problems with quality control from the outsource mfg.

One of the B revision rocker plates I have will not bolt into place on either cylinder. One of the holes is off by about 1/16th of an inch and the casting has a small fissure crack to boot. Even the dealer I returned it to told me to go aftermarket on this part.

[csoday]

Originally Posted by Nightboy

The SE forged rocker support is actually NOT the way to go. There actually have been many problems with this part from HD and have acutally been recalls in the past due to poor fitment.

Here is a link from the original part # for RMA: http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/...r.supports.pdf

Then the A revision had problems with quality control from the outsource mfg.

One of the B revision rocker plates I have will not bolt into place on either cylinder. One of the holes is off by about 1/16th of an inch and the casting has a small fissure crack to boot. Even the dealer I returned it to told me to go aftermarket on this part.

Man, FUK what you think and what you read on the internet. I've been running the supports for two years on my stroker with no problems. Every 95" and 103" build that I have done, run's SE Roller rockers and SE Forged support plates. Not one problem. It's quite possible that since you are on your first ever build, you might have your head up your ass.

[Nightboy]

Man, FUK what you think and what you read on the internet. I've been running the supports for two years on my stroker with no problems. Every 95" and 103" build that I have done, run's SE Roller rockers and SE Forged support plates. Not one problem. It's quite possible that since you are on your first ever build, you might have your head up your ass.

Nope,my head is never up my ass. But the way your tooting off I can start to see the brown stains covering yours.

OK so Harley Davidson did not put out an RMA on their rocker support plates is what your saying? They just happen to be on a "B" revision for sh!ts and giggles on this part for no reason whatsoever?

BTW your a Screaming Eagle parts lover right? Well here is a question for you. Who makes the Screaming Eagles compression releases(which you run if I am correct) currently? Ill let you know the significance of this later if you actually answer the question one way or another.

BTW what would your reasoning be to NOT to use another aftermarket rocker support plate besides the SE part #?Are you an undercover SE agent? I would love to know this.

And one last question. Do you know what a learning curve is? Are you aware that some people have the capacity to learn and adapt quicker than others? Just because one person has built one or two dozen motors doesnt mean he is more talented than another who may have only built 2 or 3 per se.
I know of alot of dealer techs who have been working on bikes for years. Does it garentee that they will do a better job or have more knowledge on a particular motor than say a home mechanic that may only work on his own? Hell no.

[GRock]

Originally Posted by csoday

Man, FUK what you think and what you read on the internet. I've been running the supports for two years on my stroker with no problems. Every 95" and 103" build that I have done, run's SE Roller rockers and SE Forged support plates. Not one problem. It's quite possible that since you are on your first ever build, you might have your head up your ass.

Man, not hard to figure who you got in your sights tonite. Got your "NIGHT VISIONS" on, don't you??
Anyway, Chuck loves those SE parts. SE roller rockers and support plates are good quality and are in line (or cheaper) in price than some of the lesser ones. When roller rockers are needed, have always used the SE. Never a failure. For high performance, heavy pressure valve train, the rocker support plates are good insurance over the cast ones. As for Delkron cam plate, I have seen ONE stock cam plate go on twinkies. And because of associated damage, could not tell if the plate was the cause or the effect. All that crap about plate flex and all that is a crock, in my opinion. As csoday says save your money, and use it to buy a TCFI.