[Seahag]

A friend of mine is asking for advice, and I haven't been following the advancements of the last couple years so closely.

My friend is riding a 2001 Screaming Eagle FLTRI. Currently runs the stock build with the new SERT for magneto morelli and Rhinehart true duals.

His motor has 60,000 on it though and started making a funny noise, so he's having some work done...Budget is max of $2500.00

He's planning just a cleanup and slight overbore of his 95"...but looking for recommendations in head work and gear drive cams for good pull, with the occasional trailering duties on long trips.

When I was doing this homework for myself a few years ago, all the rage was the Woods TW-6 and TW-6HG, as well as the Headquarters 34 I believe...with somewhat less praise for the Andrews and S&S offerings. Money was a major factor for me; so I went with Andrews and got a great package price through an online vendor. My friend has more than double the budget I was working with though, so the 'premium' brands are on the table.

So please, let me hear your thoughts...and THANKS.

 

[ShakyJake]

If he is planning on pulling a trailer he wants to steer away from the TW6HG. I have it in my Ultra and while it is awesome for 1 up riding, it is lacking in the lower end grunt. I have to get the revs up to around 2200-2300 before the bike "comes up on the cams" and I really feel the pull. If I where him and the use he wants I would go with something not quite as aggressive. The HQ cams are the best I have heard of for this. JMHO

 

[BVBOB]

First off, tear down to determine the noise, this will set your real budget, likely area would be camchest, if not then the crank/rods will need to be inspected, 60 thousand is a lot of miles but in reality should go twice that. As for what I would do, (after being 100% confident on the bottom end) I would overbore to 95, SE Flat top Pistons, replace existing camplate with 07 up style tensioners and pump, use either 26 or 37 Andrews cams, (or wood 6, HQ34)depending on riding style, Have the heads checked out for guide wear, or better yet for the 150 bucks or so, pick up a new style take-offs with Beehive springs and send them BigBoyz or one of the other sponsors for a Street Port and cc for proper compression to compliment whatever camset you choose, top it off with a good pipe and a decent tune and put anther 60 thousand on, this time having more fun doing it.

 

[Don Dorfman]

IIRC the motor is already 95". A top end overhaul and an inspection of the rod bearings would be wise. This vintage is past the cam early bearing issues. Still liking the Wood TW5 as a torquer if mild headwork is done. Here is another example.

The build:
2002 FXD 95" C.I.
Dewey's Heads, 10.2 Compression, Roller Rockers,
S.E. 44MM Modified Carb, w/Matching intake Manifold, V&H Propipe,
Woods TW5G Cams w/+2 Cam Key, DTT Ignition

Of course with bagger trailer duty the CR would need to be trimmed slightly

 

[claydbal]

First off, tear down to determine the noise, this will set your real budget, likely area would be camchest, if not then the crank/rods will need to be inspected, 60 thousand is a lot of miles but in reality should go twice that. As for what I would do, (after being 100% confident on the bottom end) I would overbore to 95, SE Flat top Pistons, replace existing camplate with 07 up style tensioners and pump, use either 26 or 37 Andrews cams, (or wood 6, HQ34)depending on riding style, Have the heads checked out for guide wear, or better yet for the 150 bucks or so, pick up a new style take-offs with Beehive springs and send them BigBoyz or one of the other sponsors for a Street Port and cc for proper compression to compliment whatever camset you choose, top it off with a good pipe and a decent tune and put anther 60 thousand on, this time having more fun doing it.

sounds like a plan. something i wonder about though. can the new style heads work with the marreli TB? you know how we have to change flanges when we swith heads and delphi TB from pre 06 and vice verse? well, what about the marreli TB? never compared myself.

 

[Seahag]

IIRC the motor is already 95". A top end overhaul and an inspection of the rod bearings would be wise. This vintage is past the cam early bearing issues. Still liking the Wood TW5 as a torquer if mild headwork is done. Here is another example.

The build:
2002 FXD 95" C.I.
Dewey's Heads, 10.2 Compression, Roller Rockers,
S.E. 44MM Modified Carb, w/Matching intake Manifold, V&H Propipe,
Woods TW5G Cams w/+2 Cam Key, DTT Ignition

Of course with bagger trailer duty the CR would need to be trimmed slightly

That's REALLY impressive for a 95" build. He is definitely going to have his stock heads ported and have the .005" overbore done to his stock 95"...So really it's mainly a matter of picking the right cam and head porter. He plans to have an indy do the work.

I'll contact him and get a more definitive idea of his riding style. He's 60 y.o. and has never seemed like a hard charger when I've ridden with him, but he doesn't ride slow either.

Thanks for all the fresh ideas guys. Like I said. when I was really into this a few years ago, 95% of the suggestions were for the TW-37G cam with head work and 9.8 to 1 compression...which just happens to be whats in my revperf 98" build. I just figured some new cams and build combinations may have proven themselves out.

 

[ejk_dyna]

<<His motor has 60,000 on it though and started making a funny noise, so he's having some work done...Budget is max of $2500.00>>

His budget may be shot if the noise is real and coming from a bad place.

<<Thanks for all the fresh ideas guys. Like I said. when I was really into this a few years ago, 95% of the suggestions were for the TW-37G cam with head work and 9.8 to 1 compression...>>

Dewey Jelen used to say "the tw37 may not be the best cam but it will never be the wrong cam"...still holds true today.

 

[Seahag]

Riding Style As Defined By The Rider

You’re right, very little 2-up. It would not be a factor. Do pull that damn trailer but that tends to be once a year.
Very very seldom does this bike see the rev limiter. Maybe, literally, 3-4 times in its life. Hitting the rev limiter is a pilot mistake IMHO. It “sees” red line only occasionally.
When I am on twisties I am frustrated when the engine is not “right there” coming out of a turn. I certainly do extended highway jaunts. Seems to me like a cam that gives up at 3500 – 4000 would NOT be a problem.
Having said that I tend to keep my rpm higher than the next guy. I’m usually a gear lower that others when riding twisty roads. Much more control of decal and accel. Like you (I think) I tend to think most riders lug their engines. I don’t. But I don’t think I abuse it either.
On balance I’d rather have a cam that gives up at 4000 than kicks in at 4000.