HarleyTechTalk

So yes I have searched, but can not find a comparison between the S&S 509 and Andrews TW26. I am looking for a reliable cam upgrade for my 01 RKC. It is currently FI but I will be doing a Mikuni swap in the next month or so. There are 42,000 miles on the bike and I want reliability first and any bump in performance is 2nd. I also expect to see a change when I go carb, the MM FI has only functioned decently when it feels like it, but the bike is good when the air and go juice decide to mix properly. I would keep FI, if the 2000 and 2001 MM systems were not the oddball short run systems they are. I expect within the next few years it is possible I would go to a 95, but not if the carb and cam upgrades meet my expectations and compression stays good. I really love the RK ride and I want to do some longer trips, the MM system almost stranded me out of state already, so it is the first reliability focus, but cams are cheap and my tensioners are also due for inspection/replacement anyway. Any experience with these two cams in comparison is very appreciated.

Since performance is not the primary issue, I'd look into finding a CV carb, (Mikuni is more of a performance oriented platform) As far as your two cam choices: 509s are torquey if you're staying
at 88. They peter out under 5000, if that's not an issue go with those.

26's would better suited in a 95 (imo).

I'm sure you'll get 10 other opinions on the subject, but based on what I'm hearing I gave you my
2 cents.... Good luck with whatever you go with. 

I just cracked 2k on my 98" upgrade. I had put in the 26N last year when the tensioners were due. I had ok performance with it still at 88" but a new world opened after the 98" and street port. I would talk to some builders like Kirby at Vee Twin or Bob at Fuel Moto. They were both involved in my upgrade. I get reliable performance from the 26. No compression releases needed and it does fine on regular 87 if I'm out in the boonies. Just my .02 but you can save a few bucks if you just upgrade right away. Don't forget the tune as well. Good luck.

After tuning a ton of 26's and quite a few of the 509's I would use the 509's in a bagger and the 26 in a lighter bike or if I planned to go 95 at a later date with the bagger.

Yes, I don't plan to go up in displacement. In fact if I needed to rebuild ever I would likely get some 88" take off jugs and pistons. As for the carb, if there was a CV kit out there I would buy it, but the Mikuni is readily available and priced right. The CVs I have found are used or pricey. Stealership costs are ridiculous and I don't really need a custom built performance one. The Mikunis seem reliable and I have a bit of experience with them on dirt bikes from years ago, although most of my carb tweaking was CV Kehein's.

Thanks for the input all!

I'm a huge Mikuni advocate. But you can't beat a CV for what you're wanting to do. Esp. on an 88ci

Here's a new one for $139

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-Davidson-Performance-40mm-CV-Carburetor-Carb-NEW-/391869064757?hash=item5b3d376635:g:RywAAMXQDnpTbmaf&vxp=mtr

Awesome deal if the price doesn't go to high! I've got a bid in, we'll see what happens, thanks MCE!

red shift 525

Red shift 525 looks nice, but it is not compatible with my stock valve travel. 07 and up only.

I've installed a few of the 509 gear drive cams. Couple bikes had MMI,and others had Delphi. Worked out very well and riders all said how much better the engine feels.
The 21 and 26 have no performance increase to really feel .

    That EBAY carb. looks like a copy not OEM. I would ask the seller before bidding.

Good catch BUGLET. Google search OEMSTD carb or Wincycles for more info.

Quote from: JTM65 on August 21, 2017, 08:30:21 PM
Awesome deal if the price doesn't go to high! I've got a bid in, we'll see what happens, thanks MCE!

Here's a "buy it now', $140

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-Davidson-40mm-Keinhin-CV-Carburetor-Twin-Cam-27421-99B-1990-2004-/322634828208?epid=1822948684&hash=item4b1e88c9b0:g:cmkAAOSwF3JZhOK1&vxp=mtr

I've picked up 15 lbs/ft and 10 HP with 21's in stock 88's, I sure as hell felt the performance improve.

I can't advise you between the two cams, but if you want reliability I would not even consider a cam that uses the old style chains in any form (including the so-called "hybrid" plate).  Gear drive is the best for reliability, but it is tricky to set up, especially for a do it yourself-er.  A conversion cam (like a 26N) is easy for a do it yourself-er to install as no cam plate pressing is required and there are no cam plate bearings to mess with.  That being said I put a 21n cam in my bike about 50K ago.  About 10 K ago I went 95 inch with flat top pistons (these do not provide much of a compression increase if any), and I left the 21Ns in place.  If you do go conversion cams Andrews should have a parts list on their website which you have to obtain piece by piece now as nobody has "kits" anymore (apparently Harley bitched too much about this practice).

Quote from: N-gin on August 22, 2017, 04:53:48 AM
I've installed a few of the 509 gear drive cams. Couple bikes had MMI,and others had Delphi. Worked out very well and riders all said how much better the engine feels.
The 21 and 26 have no performance increase to really feel .

I would have to disagree with that statement in regards to the 21....

I've still got a 2000' FLSTF that I installed a 21 in and the improvement was very noticeable.  The advantage of selecting the 21 is that it's use is designed for those not wanting to make other performance related mods.  For a stock or near stock engine (no head mods, compression increase, bigger carb or t-body, etc) the 21 is a great choice and it's a common sense approach to enhancing a stock engine.

I'm not saying there are better choices but I couldn't be happier with the 21 in my selection of cam.....

I also wound up running across a great deal on a Mikuni 45 setup which I also installed on the FLSTF after the cam change but I wouldn't hesitate to run either a CV or a 42 Mikuni on your 88" bike.  Either carb is relatively easy to tune.  In my application, the Mikuni has a little better throttle response but it's only slightly better and may even be my imagination. Otherwise, I don't think either carb has any huge advantage in your application. 

The Mikuni also has the slide rattle which at first, since I wasn't familiar with the rattle, alarmed me because I thought there was an issue in the valve train

Redshifts 511? Search the dyno section- seems to work great at both 88" & 95".

I have a bid in on the 40mm CV knock off. It seems they are good copies of the OEM. Probably made on the same line as the Keihin carb in China. If not I may just go ahead and buy used and rebuild. I have a bit of experience with CVs and the stock 40mm should work fine for me. After seeing more info I'm more certain on the 509 by S&S it seems like a good compromise and should be reliable with my planned mods. Thanks for all the input. And I'm sticking with chain drive, I don't want the whine of the gear drive and my chains have been fine for 42,000 miles. I'll take my chances for another 40k or so and check them then...

JT

The specs on the 509 suggest it will want quality fuel, or a reduced ign timing curve.

To me it is a low compression cam 8 to 1 or less.

YMMV

I have a CV 40 off a 96 touring and a 46 screaming eagles for sale.. if interested pm me.
I got a slue of Jets too. I'll pack the CV with what ever you need. Has a after market chock and all.

Thanks, I will ping you if I don't win the Keihin eBay knock off. Yes I think the cam change points me to a programmable ignition... That is next on the list.

I can get you Mikuni stuff if you really want one. (I'm a dealer)

Thanks, if I go Mikuni I'll give you a shout. Looks like CV will be fine for me though, if I can get a good deal.

Quote from: JTM65 on August 23, 2017, 11:40:52 AM
Thanks, if I go Mikuni I'll give you a shout. Looks like CV will be fine for me though, if I can get a good deal.

I agree. CVs are underrated.