Goin for a motor rebuild ss 117

[Joke•ster]

Going for a "maybe"rebuild on the SS 117 k9 that rear jug is leaking. its has 12000 miles on it. I'm the Second owner, 1st guy was tough on it . OR just new gaskets????
Just for info i would like to know a combination cam pistons etc.... rebuild that works good for ME!! What questions s should I be ask myself, torque or horsepower, IF I put 140 hp will I need to do a Trans

 

[woodbutcher]

if you are going for 140, definitely the trans and you might also want to consider a belt to chain swap.

 

[liferider]

If you build for torque, HP comes up also!

 

[Joke•ster]

So 120 would be a more realistic number?

 

[Joke•ster]

I gotta consider fuel from the average gas station also...

 

[Th3InfamousI]

Send it to John Sachs he will cut the decks bump the compression and put a 600 cam. Built like it should be, reliable and run on normal pump gas

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[Joke•ster]

I'm headed to Kendall johnson . They took care of my ehc ,wires plus.

 

[TapioK]

I have 585 and shaved cylinders. On a long trips in hot weather and crappy fuel in backwoods bike didn't want to shut off... I only found 91 octane fuel...


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[BadDawg Bill]

You are asking for more problems than you already have. I'd just rebuild it with good bearings/gaskets/rings and a good 3 point valve job. I'd also make sure it was balanced to the T.... At 12k it should be just broken in not ready to be rebuilt... My 107 on my custom built lasted 180k before I replaced the head gaskets and at 210k was still going strong. If you build a S&S right they are bulletproof. Good luck.

 

[Joke•ster]

You are asking for more problems than you already have. I'd just rebuild it with good bearings/gaskets/rings and a good 3 point valve job. I'd also make sure it was balanced to the T.... At 12k it should be just broken in not ready to be rebuilt... My 107 on my custom built lasted 180k before I replaced the head gaskets and at 210k was still going strong. If you build a S&S right they are bulletproof. Good luck.

I agree 12k is to early. Why the leak? Thanks ,your option will be presented to the mechanic

 

[liferider]

I'm headed to Kendall johnson . They took care of my ehc ,wires plus.

I really have to ask you, if your bringing the motor to Kendall why ask us? He is king of HP when dealing with V twins!

 

[SKOGDOG]

You should do diagnostics first.
I had an oil seep from the front head gasket, probably from not letting the engine warm up enough before accelerating hard. I just replaced the head gasket and all was good until next time (failed ex valve guide).
Do a compression test and a leak down to see. Mine passed both, because the gasket just seeped a little oil out of the front center where the oil return gallery, but was not compromised in the cylinder. If your compression is good (or is not), just fix the it by replacing the head gasket.
If you are looking for a reason to rebuild, take heed of the excellent advice from BadDawgBill and th3Infamous1. If you want a hotter cam than 600, plan on bigger valves to move all that air thru at 4,000+ rpm.
Reliability is an issue for me, so I run a Thunderheart at 30 BDC, shaved jugs, a 585 cam and ten over pistons. I'm pleased with the performance so far (10K or so miles). But I'm old and believe that configuration is plenty of power....I'll defer to Blacktopper on issues involving 'the need for speed', as he was born in excess of 7,000 rpm.

 

[Joke•ster]

I really have to ask you, if your bringing the motor to Kendall why ask us? He is king of HP when dealing with V twins!

KJ will do whatever I tell them, if you give me a definate plan that makes sense I get what I expected
Big dog biker has forums cause there are a lot of ways to customize your Big Dog

 

[BadDawg Bill]

KJ will do whatever I tell them, if you give me a definate plan that makes sense I get what I expected
Big dog biker has forums cause there are a lot of ways to customize your Big Dog

My buddy races a twin engine Harley for a living. 4 maybe 6 1/4 mile runs and they get rebuilt. You have to balance HP with reliability. If all you want to do is rebuild your motor/trans every 10k then go for it but why? A stock 117 seems plenty fast enough for me and if built right will last a long time. Hp is only good for 0 -60 and after that it doesn't matter. Gearing takes over so you can have 300 hp and after 60 a stock 117 can keep up with you if you have the same gearing... Doesn't make much sense to me....

 

[Joke•ster]

You should do diagnostics first.
I had an oil seep from the front head gasket, probably from not letting the engine warm up enough before accelerating hard. I just replaced the head gasket and all was good until next time (failed ex valve guide).
Do a compression test and a leak down to see. Mine passed both, because the gasket just seeped a little oil out of the front center where the oil return gallery, but was not compromised in the cylinder. If your compression is good (or is not), just fix the it by replacing the head gasket.
If you are looking for a reason to rebuild, take heed of the excellent advice from BadDawgBill and th3Infamous1. If you want a hotter cam than 600, plan on bigger valves to move all that air thru at 4,000+ rpm.
Reliability is an issue for me, so I run a Thunderheart at 30 BDC, shaved jugs, a 585 cam and ten over pistons. I'm pleased with the performance so far (10K or so miles). But I'm old and believe that configuration is plenty of power....I'll defer to Blacktopper on issues involving 'the need for speed', as he was born in excess of 7,000 rpm.

Great info, thanks

 

[liferider]

KJ will do whatever I tell them, if you give me a definate plan that makes sense I get what I expected
Big dog biker has forums cause there are a lot of ways to customize your Big Dog

Kj asked me what I wanted and expected out of my 88" EVO. I told him it's a Ultra Classic pulling 2 People and luggage up hills. I want power and reliability. He said deck the heads .010, adjustable push rods, power commander, high compression Pistons, clean the inlet & exhaust ports but leave the small valves to increase the torque, add a 127 Andrevs and put a 2 into 1 Thunderheader on it and go bigger on injectors. KJ did the head work and supplied material Pistons ext ext. We dumped at 90+ hp not bad for a 1996 88" ultra! I be leave in what he says you do!

 

[Joke•ster]

They did a great job with the ehc.really happy! I'm sure I'll be happy with the motor. Zach knew all about he big dogs.

 

[Srodden]

They did a great job with the ehc.really happy! I'm sure I'll be happy with the motor. Zach knew all about he big dogs.

Quite sure Kendall Johnson's shop will take care of you. Post back on the results and your satisfaction too.

 

[Olde Man]

If you have to pull the jugs because of the oil leak cut the jugs about .070 at the base and install the 600 cam. If it is a head gasket leak then replace the gasket and install a 585 with the stock compression. This will give you a little reward for your having to wrench on it without breaking the bank and pushing the reliability envelope. You are pushing the gas supply problems if you run the 585 with cut jugs. S&S built the 117 with 10.2 and the 600 cam.

 

[Dragonslave]

Im guessing that oil leak is getting to you huh?