HarleyTechTalk

I find myself getting a bit confused
when talking with some of the motor heads on the forums. I'm really eager to learn more about how my 110 engine all comes together. I want to know what people are talking about when they mention head work and compression, etc.  Sometimes I feel like I'm talking to a doctor lol.

This is a little embarrassing I guess but some one point me in the right direction? Link, video, book (twin cams for dummies)

Jesse

Honestly, the best thing you could do is buy the factory service manual for your bike. It has very thorough explanations of how your bike and engine work. You'll be surprised how much you can learn from it.

as far as learning about head work.
Google search Harley twin cam engine head porters.
Look at their web sites and you will gain some knowledge of what head porting consists of. There are many different stages of porting that can be done.
I highly suggest since you sound brand new to the T/C engines...to go to your local HD dealer and by the thick service manual for your model year bike. I call it the Bible for the bike.
There is pictures in it from complete engine tear down to changing your brake pads. It's a valuable tool to have if you own one of these bikes.
As far as learning what compression is and how it works...again google search it and read the articles about it.
I hope I helped you some...and welcome to the forum.


Ray

Since you won't learn everything you need to know over night, look here, a lot to read. But some really good info.

http://harleytechtalk.com/htt/index.php/topic,13484.0.html

you want video's.
This is part 1 of a 3 part video from S&S Cycle talking about head porting.

Ray

http://youtu.be/DiKIgjYjaUI

I have the service manual and supplemental manual for my CVO.  Guess I didn't realize how extensive it is I will do some looking.  I get in general how a motor works but so many different combination of parts and levels of upgrades gets confusing.

As usual, forum folks rule. Thank you.

Buy "4 stroke performance tuning" by A Graham Bell.. Very good background book.. Look up "Harley corrected compression" on google.. It will point back to here and other tech sites.. Read what they have to say and get a consensus.  (some of it will probably be wrong) Go from there..

Max

Go to the vender section several head porters are on there.

is this the kind of service manual you have?
it's the type you need to buy if you don't have one.

Ray

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Quote from: No Cents on July 12, 2014, 07:25:19 PM
is this the kind of service manual you have?
it's the type you need to buy if you don't have one.

Ray

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Yes I have that. I've replaced my handlebars two winters in a row. Comes in handy.

Read up some and decide what you want out of the bike. Post that up and the pros here (and Max  ) will tell you what you need to do.

Remember the internet doesn't have it all.  Most of the porters I have high respect for don't need a internet presence.  Larry, Sachs, Mike Roland, Baisley, Sykes, Mackie....(to name just a few) are great examples.  They are not going to describe what they do, but dyno after dyno, time slip after time slip.  They get it done.

Then there are the porters that have basically no internet presence, but are well known in the industry as just track or shoot outs.  Where the magic happens.  TR of Tman performance just went over 200 mph in his class this weekend.  He doesn't care for forums.

Find a guy you trust, shoots straight, can get over their ego, and wants to help.  You will be a happy customer.

Quote from: jswerve on July 12, 2014, 06:47:11 PM
I find myself getting a bit confused
when talking with some of the motor heads on the forums. I'm really eager to learn more about how my 110 engine all comes together. I want to know what people are talking about when they mention head work and compression, etc.  Sometimes I feel like I'm talking to a doctor lol.

This is a little embarrassing I guess but some one point me in the right direction? Link, video, book (twin cams for dummies)

Jesse

If I've got the right guy from the CVO forum I believe you have ported heads from Sachs correct? You can't go wrong there.

Quote from: Eglider05 on July 13, 2014, 03:27:36 AM

Quote from: jswerve on July 12, 2014, 06:47:11 PM
I find myself getting a bit confused
when talking with some of the motor heads on the forums. I'm really eager to learn more about how my 110 engine all comes together. I want to know what people are talking about when they mention head work and compression, etc.  Sometimes I feel like I'm talking to a doctor lol.

This is a little embarrassing I guess but some one point me in the right direction? Link, video, book (twin cams for dummies)

Jesse

If I've got the right guy from the CVO forum I believe you have ported heads from Sachs correct? You can't go wrong there.

Yes my heads were purchased from John Sachs. I have Mr. Sachs on speed dial. He has been a wonderful person to work with.

I see now...you were trying to pull the wool over our eyes saying you were new at this and needed a little help   
if you already have John Sachs on speed dial...you don't need any of us for advise.
John ranks up there with being one of the best head porters out there....and he will take care of you and he is very capable of answering any questions you might have.
Trust in John!
Ray

from being fairly anemic in its stock form,the 110 is a very easy motor to get decent power from.headwork,bumping the compression & cams,and 120/120+ can be seen on a VERY mild build,130+/130+ on more aggressive builds

Quote from: No Cents on July 13, 2014, 05:02:35 AM
I see now...you were trying to pull the wool over our eyes saying you were new at this and needed a little help   
if you already have John Sachs on speed dial...you don't need any of us for advise.
John ranks up there with being one of the best head porters out there....and he will take care of you and he is very capable of answering any questions you might have.
Trust in John!
Ray

Not at all. It's great having a guy like John do that kind of work on your machine but it sucks when he starts talking and you look like a deer in the headlights. I'd really like to learn more because I truly find it interesting plus I can explain what kind of work was done when asked instead of saying I had the heads "reworked".

 Most of these top notched head porters say things to us that they take for granted that we understand...and most guys really don't have a clue what they just said to them. They probably just nod their heads and agree with them. The basic deer frozen in his track with the head light syndrome...is pretty much dead on for most of us.
Head porting is more than a science...it's an art form.
You'd be hard pressed for getting detailed info from most head porters on the how's and why's of what they are doing to certain areas of a port to produce the results they do. They do keep secrets...and that's alright with me as long as the results of their product speaks for itself.

Ray

Quote from: jswerve on July 13, 2014, 08:54:22 AM
Not at all. It's great having a guy like John do that kind of work on your machine but it sucks when he starts talking and you look like a deer in the headlights. I'd really like to learn more because I truly find it interesting plus I can explain what kind of work was done when asked instead of saying I had the heads "reworked".

I totally understand where you're coming from. I have learned more on this forum than I ever thought possible and have been through several of my own builds and builds for friends all successfully because of the help I received here. Yet I still feel like a dumbass.

Rick

Quote from: Eglider05 on July 13, 2014, 10:12:14 AM

Quote from: jswerve on July 13, 2014, 08:54:22 AM
Not at all. It's great having a guy like John do that kind of work on your machine but it sucks when he starts talking and you look like a deer in the headlights. I'd really like to learn more because I truly find it interesting plus I can explain what kind of work was done when asked instead of saying I had the heads "reworked".

I totally understand where you're coming from. I have learned more on this forum than I ever thought possible and have been through several of my own builds and builds for friends all successfully because of the help I received here. Yet I still feel like a dumbass.

Rick

Amen. I just got off the phone with Sachs. It was a short call only an hour and 51 mins 

Quote from: No Cents on July 13, 2014, 09:37:22 AM
Most of these top notched head porters say things to us that they take for granted that we understand...and most guys really don't have a clue what they just said to them. They probably just nod their heads and agree with them. The basic deer frozen in his track with the head light syndrome...is pretty much dead on for most of us.
Head porting is more than a science...it's an art form.
You'd be hard pressed for getting detailed info from most head porters on the how's and why's of what they are doing to certain areas of a port to produce the results they do. They do keep secrets...and that's alright with me as long as the results of their product speaks for itself.

Ray

Ray I don't want any secrets and I agree, it's an art form. I just wanted to have a inclination as to what work is typically done on a head job and why. I now have that. I also did some research on compression and the ins and outs of finding the sweet spot and why too much can be bad. Things are coming together. Thanks for all your input this forum is a great tool.

Jesse

Porting the 110 head is not hard however you are 100% correct too much is not a good thing. We try to improve the head for reliability and with that you will also gain performance.  A big issue on the stock head is poor VTR ....Improving the valve to throat ratio is done with a  larger valve. ( keeps cost down and not over the top) Most think its about flowing more air. Not true its does gain CFM, however the great gains  come in the low to mid lift areas.     I have read where shops will state that they run an even larger intake than a 2.120  ( 2.150 OR EVEN 2.180 !!) on the stock seat... DO YOUR HOME WORK!!!   John is a great guy and friend without a doubt he can get you set up , with a kit that will meet your goals.

Read about your situation on another forum.....glad you got your ride back together with the help of Sach's. How did the bike run once it was put back together?

I suggest that you not limit yourself to just Harley info and sites. I learned most of my info from Hot Rods. The idea of head porting, compression, cam/valve timing, lift and duration crosses all boundaries between engines. Same thinking applies to all of them and there are probably a lot more books on cars than on just Harley's.