Hey folks. New to the forum here (I do more reading than posting), but not new to riding. Lots of good discussion/info here....great resource. Now down to business.
I’m doing a new motor build and I’d love to get some feedback.
The bike “as-was” before the build:
2005 Thunder Mountain Custom (240 Blackhawk)
Came with 95 inch B motor with SE 203 cams (it’s essentially a 2004 Screamin’ Eagle Deuce motor from the number on the case)
1550 flattops and stock TC heads
Stock ignition module
SE air cleaner
40mm CV carb
Vance & Hines Big Radius pipes (with stock baffles removed and Big City Thunder Thunder Monster power baffles installed)
I rode it until the TMC warranty ran out (1 year)....put about 2,500 miles on it and then tore into it when winter kicked in here in Mile High country. I wanted to get more mid-high range grunt (I’m a fairly aggressive rider.....as uncle Totenkopf can attest) and I wanted to eliminate the 2 weak points in the motor (heads and chain-drive cams). I’m doing most of the basic wrenching myself (dis-assembly and re-assembly) while Otto in Illinois is doing the headwork, and machining ....plus providing some valuable advice that’s not in the service manual.
What’s changing:
Cams – pulled the SE 203s (anyone want them?.....let me know, I’ll make you a deal) and, after much discussion re: my riding style and desired outcome, ended up installing S&S 570g’s. Also installed the Baisley LMR-002 oil pressure spring. Will install SE adjustable pushrods when the top-end comes back from Otto.
Heads – Otto is doing his Pro-Street job on the heads (porting, bigger 1.900” intake/1.630” exhaust valves, guides, springs, polishing exhaust ports, etc....plus much more that I probably can’t do justice in this post).
Compression – Otto is a big fan of bumping up compression by decking the heads rather than using hi CR domed pistons (better A/F mix, squish, burn, etc), so he’s machining them to 10.3 to 1. We had much discussion about the right CR for riding up here at 5,200 feet of altitude.....and decided on 10.3 to 1 to put it on the edge at sea-level (where I rarely ride) but right on at mile high. I also shipped Otto my pistons & cylinders (just in case he needs to modify the valve pockets on the pistons for valve clearance issues....and just in case the jugs need to be honed). More for prevention on future shipments from CO to IL....
Other stuff: Installed Crane HI4-TC ignition module, and Otto’s re-working the CV carb and intake manifold to make it flow better....can’t do it justice on what mods he’s making.
I’ve probably left out some important details, but that’s the jist of it.
So.....I’m waiting on the heads, pistons, jugs, and carb to come back from Otto and I’ll finish re-assembly in the upcoming weeks. I’m pretty excited to see/feel the difference these mods will make. With me on the bike topping out at about 700 lbs, it should be a real stump-puller.
I’d love to hear feedback, suggestions, advice......
Thanks and keep the rubber side down-
I’m doing a new motor build and I’d love to get some feedback.
The bike “as-was” before the build:
2005 Thunder Mountain Custom (240 Blackhawk)
Came with 95 inch B motor with SE 203 cams (it’s essentially a 2004 Screamin’ Eagle Deuce motor from the number on the case)
1550 flattops and stock TC heads
Stock ignition module
SE air cleaner
40mm CV carb
Vance & Hines Big Radius pipes (with stock baffles removed and Big City Thunder Thunder Monster power baffles installed)
I rode it until the TMC warranty ran out (1 year)....put about 2,500 miles on it and then tore into it when winter kicked in here in Mile High country. I wanted to get more mid-high range grunt (I’m a fairly aggressive rider.....as uncle Totenkopf can attest) and I wanted to eliminate the 2 weak points in the motor (heads and chain-drive cams). I’m doing most of the basic wrenching myself (dis-assembly and re-assembly) while Otto in Illinois is doing the headwork, and machining ....plus providing some valuable advice that’s not in the service manual.
What’s changing:
Cams – pulled the SE 203s (anyone want them?.....let me know, I’ll make you a deal) and, after much discussion re: my riding style and desired outcome, ended up installing S&S 570g’s. Also installed the Baisley LMR-002 oil pressure spring. Will install SE adjustable pushrods when the top-end comes back from Otto.
Heads – Otto is doing his Pro-Street job on the heads (porting, bigger 1.900” intake/1.630” exhaust valves, guides, springs, polishing exhaust ports, etc....plus much more that I probably can’t do justice in this post).
Compression – Otto is a big fan of bumping up compression by decking the heads rather than using hi CR domed pistons (better A/F mix, squish, burn, etc), so he’s machining them to 10.3 to 1. We had much discussion about the right CR for riding up here at 5,200 feet of altitude.....and decided on 10.3 to 1 to put it on the edge at sea-level (where I rarely ride) but right on at mile high. I also shipped Otto my pistons & cylinders (just in case he needs to modify the valve pockets on the pistons for valve clearance issues....and just in case the jugs need to be honed). More for prevention on future shipments from CO to IL....
Other stuff: Installed Crane HI4-TC ignition module, and Otto’s re-working the CV carb and intake manifold to make it flow better....can’t do it justice on what mods he’s making.
I’ve probably left out some important details, but that’s the jist of it.
So.....I’m waiting on the heads, pistons, jugs, and carb to come back from Otto and I’ll finish re-assembly in the upcoming weeks. I’m pretty excited to see/feel the difference these mods will make. With me on the bike topping out at about 700 lbs, it should be a real stump-puller.
I’d love to hear feedback, suggestions, advice......
Thanks and keep the rubber side down-