Manual or OEM CR's?

Coolbreezin

Active Member
Time to r&r my CR's,again. I'm finding that I've been getting about 10 years out of my CR's. This would be my 3rd set. I'm thinking of going to S&S manuals instead of the electric ones this time. Yes, I know I'm going to burn my fingers in the holes. I don't care about that.
What's yalls thoughts?
 

Mickmorris

Well Known Member
Supporting Member
Time to r&r my CR's,again. I'm finding that I've been getting about 10 years out of my CR's. This would be my 3rd set. I'm thinking of going to S&S manuals instead of the electric ones this time. Yes, I know I'm going to burn my fingers in the holes. I don't care about that.
What's yalls thoughts?
What’s the problem with them exactly?
 

Coolbreezin

Active Member
China lol
They stay stuck in the closed position.
I've tested them by removing the plugs when the engine struggles to turn over. Spins like crazy. Then once I confirmed it that way, I injected penetrating oil into the rubber protectors and tapped on them to lose them up. With plugs reinstalled, the back CR did open but the front one didn't. Bike did start a few times. Went for a ride to burn off all the penetrating oil and ended up broken down at a bar.
Towed home & charged battery. CR's are stuck closed again.
 

Mickmorris

Well Known Member
Supporting Member
They stay stuck in the closed position.
I've tested them by removing the plugs when the engine struggles to turn over. Spins like crazy. Then once I confirmed it that way, I injected penetrating oil into the rubber protectors and tapped on them to lose them up. With plugs reinstalled, the back CR did open but the front one didn't. Bike did start a few times. Went for a ride to burn off all the penetrating oil and ended up broken down at a bar.
Towed home & charged battery. CR's are stuck closed again.
At least you were at a bar….
:chopper: :cheers::patriot:
 

knothead

Second Chance Customs
They stay stuck in the closed position.
I've tested them by removing the plugs when the engine struggles to turn over. Spins like crazy. Then once I confirmed it that way, I injected penetrating oil into the rubber protectors and tapped on them to lose them up. With plugs reinstalled, the back CR did open but the front one didn't. Bike did start a few times. Went for a ride to burn off all the penetrating oil and ended up broken down at a bar.
Towed home & charged battery. CR's are stuck closed again.
Kinda odd you have went thru 3 sets. I see them go out but not that many times. But with that said i could see it if the caps might have a hole in them and letting water get in there and rust them or possible rich combustion chamber and carbon build up causing them to stick.
 
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john sachs

Well-Known Member
I find that the compression releases, eventually pack carbon in the release ports. Combustion chamber port, and the relief port in the exhaust port. These are simple tools, I've made, to clean them out. Unfortunatly parts need to be removed to access the ports.
On S&S heads, the tiny relief port, in the combustion chamber, usually does not plug up, as frequently, as other brands. Remove your exhaust system, and clear the relief port there. :old2:
 

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Coolbreezin

Active Member
Thank you all for the input.
So, going back to the original question and reason for this post. Manual or electric CRs? I really do not want any technology that could fail, hence my interest in manuals.
So whats yalls thoughts?
 

Mickmorris

Well Known Member
Supporting Member
Thank you all for the input.
So, going back to the original question and reason for this post. Manual or electric CRs? I really do not want any technology that could fail, hence my interest in manuals.
So whats yalls thoughts?
I have manual releases on my 2000 vintage sport. They are nice to have but they can get clogged up to and stick. Just so you know. Neither is foolproof.
 

Mickmorris

Well Known Member
Supporting Member
True. But at least manuals won't kill my battery. Plus, they are 1/10 the cost of electrics.
Well as I see it your biggest problem is that the electric CR’s that thread into top of your head are 13.99mmx20 threads per inch. And most if not all manual CR’s are designed to fit a .650” 10mm x 1.0mm threaded hole. I assume you are planning on plugging the hole in the chimney & drill and tap your heads in the spark plug area? Or possibly find a 14mm plug to put in the head and drill & tap a 10mm opening in it? Personally I’d stick with the electric. You can possibly take yours out and get them working again & reinstall. If your battery is getting old try a Braille AGM from Summit Racing. Amazing cranking power. Good luck!!
:cheers: :chopper: :patriot:
 

Coolbreezin

Active Member
Thank you all for your service recommendations. But I have Chopper City here that I've been with since 08.
My post was looking for the opinions of my fellow riders here regarding manual or electric CRs. I'm going with manuals. I've found spark plug mount CR's. The only reason I'm considering them is simply because I can easily clean them every 6 months or so.
ez-release-1.jpg
 

john sachs

Well-Known Member
Thank you all for your service recommendations. But I have Chopper City here that I've been with since 08.
My post was looking for the opinions of my fellow riders here regarding manual or electric CRs. I'm going with manuals. I've found spark plug mount CR's. The only reason I'm considering them is simply because I can easily clean them every 6 months or so.
View attachment 138162
So now with that deal, you're completely changing the heat range of your spark plug.:mad: They seem to be good for maybe 2 or 3 turns of the engine before they close. Same thing with the push button ones, you drill in the heads by the spark plugs. Also, IIRC, S&S used to sell manual releases, that replaced the electric ones. They ran a cable upto the handle bars, to operate them.
 
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Mickmorris

Well Known Member
Supporting Member
So now with that deal, you're completely changing the heat range of your spark plug.:mad: They seem to be good for maybe 2 or 3 turns of the engine before they close. Same thing with the push button ones, you drill in the heads by the spark plugs. Also, IIRC, S&S used to sell manual releases, that replaced the electric ones. They ran a cable upto the handle bars, to operate them.
I think Brad tried those on his BigDog. As I recall he said they were ok for a CR until he could replace the electric ones. But yeah I could see having engine issues using those. I guess everyone needs to learn for themselves. I hope he’s happy with his choice!
:cheers: :chopper::patriot:
 

Mikeinjersey

Well-Known Member
Thank you all for your service recommendations. But I have Chopper City here that I've been with since 08.
My post was looking for the opinions of my fellow riders here regarding manual or electric CRs. I'm going with manuals. I've found spark plug mount CR's. The only reason I'm considering them is simply because I can easily clean them every 6 months or so.
View attachment 138162
I can't imagine that CR fitting in the amount of space available. Try rocking the cylinders a couple of times to get them in the mood to move and then push in the front CR as you press start. Also goes almost without saying have a healthy battery.
 
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