124" with T-Man cylinders

[FL103Dave]

Does anyone have experience with the 124" using T-Man bored out SE cylinders?  Evidently they modify the spigots so they are not as fragile but I'm a bit gun shy - I had a 124 with the bored out SE cylinders (4.060" to 4.125").  It ran great until the front spigot cracked.

Currently running a 120" that is starting to get noisy and I'll probably be pulling it down soon.  Looking for options on what the next build might be.  Right now it's a 120 (4 5/8" X 4.070") SE 257 cams, HDSP 110" heads and Fat Cat exhaust.

Thanks...

[Don D]

All that needs to happen is the spigot radiused at the root.
I am not a fan.
I am now using S&S cylinders that I bore and hone. Much better life and generous spigots, not too thin.
Going to 124 using KB 117" forged pistons has been a very good solution too. Using a longer cylinder. Pistons need a little added relief at the base but that is easy to do. The LCA KB pistons are very nice and last plus run quiet with the Line2Line coating.

[FL103Dave]

Thanks Don,

Do you think these SE cylinders are stable at the 4.060" X 4 5/8" (120 R) configuration? 

How about the 117" 4.125" (SE) x 4 3/8"?

What is the OD of the S&S spigots compared to the SE pieces? 

TIA!

[Hillside Motorcycle]

We've used those pistons from T-Man to build 124"s from 120"s.
TR shared the spigot machining with us.
No known issues with the ones we have built.
Last one went 146 hp, 144 ft/lbs using his 662 cam, our CVO Stage II Heads, FM exhaust he had, 64mm HD t/body the client had already in place.

[prodrag1320]

go with S&S

[Don D]

Dave 4.330 nominal, takes a case bore. But the generous spigots are very stable.

[jmorton10]

go with S&S

~John

[FL103Dave]

My latest thought is going with a 117".  I haven't had great luck or durability with the longer stroke.  I started at 124" and broke a spigot then two different 120" builds that seem to develop piston noise early on.  I have the 4 3/8" flywheels for the 117.  The 113" I had for years was bullet proof and lasted 50K miles before I took it apart.  Any suggestions on the 117?  Am I still better with the S&S cylinders or would the T-Man mod work with shorter stroke/longer skirts?

[Ohio HD]

117" or 124", use S&S cylinders, order them unfinished without pistons. Use CP or Diamond pistons, have a competent Harley Davidson machinist (not meaning at the dealer) that has experience with getting them straight and round as possible.

Both my 117" and 124" are no noisier than a stock motor. The 124" may be a little quieter.

[FL103Dave]

This makes sense.  I will probably go with the S&S, it just means case boring but, oh well!

The last few sets of pistons/cylinders were setup by Randy at Hyperformance. 

[Ohio HD]

Randy can do it for sure, that man has lots of experience.   

He's my source for CP pistons.

A few dollars more, better pistons, and the proper machining, and it makes a difference.

[Hillside Motorcycle]

Dedicated spigot length dimension if using the S/E cylinder.
Not a big thrust load at BDC.

[FL103Dave]

What do you mean by dedicated spigot length?

I agree there is not much thrust at BDC, but is there maybe something with  the piston rocking as the rod changed sides?  Especially with the short skits associated with the 4 5/8" wheels?

[Hillside Motorcycle]

T-Man has found a dedicated spigot length dimension that they use.