Considering rebuilding my engine

[Chris Garrett]

Please talk me out of it. I will need a lot of help from those who are willing and able. I've never been inside a cycle engine. Could you guys give me ideas and lists on what I should do and what should be replaced? I've seen these cam, pushrod, and lifter kits and these head and piston kits. Are these a good idea?
My engine has 26K on it. It runs pretty good but it makes weird rasping noises and it isn't as quick as I want it to be. The suv's easily pull away from me. The thing I hate the most is the feeling of sitting on a buzz saw when I take it on the expressway over 60mph. It really needs a 5th gear too. So I guess a new trans would also be in order. This would be a winter time project.
What do you think? Should I attempt it or take it to a pro?

[Badassbrutus]

change your sprockets 4 speed is all you need,check your push rod adjustment it might be time.
and run 50w dino oil or 60w is even better youll be surprised and if you really dont like it ill pick it up.....lol

[Dave63]

Originally Posted by Chris Garrett

Please talk me out of it. I will need a lot of help from those who are willing and able. I've never been inside a cycle engine. Could you guys give me ideas and lists on what I should do and what should be replaced? I've seen these cam, pushrod, and lifter kits and these head and piston kits. Are these a good idea?
My engine has 26K on it. It runs pretty good but it makes weird rasping noises and it isn't as quick as I want it to be. The suv's easily pull away from me. The thing I hate the most is the feeling of sitting on a buzz saw when I take it on the expressway over 60mph. It really needs a 5th gear too. So I guess a new trans would also be in order. This would be a winter time project.
What do you think? Should I attempt it or take it to a pro?

Unless the bike was abused, the most you'll need is a valve job and maybe freshen up the rings and bore. If the bore is work, have it taken .010 over with some new pistons. There are a lot better slugs on the market then what you have in there.

You could add a slightly hotter cam, but that means better fuel ot it'll ping.

If you add a cam, I also suggest updating your lifters.

If you add new lifters, You might as well updat to better pushrods.

You have an S&S carb, so you're good there.

I'd also take Dean's advice and regear it. You can change to a larger rear sprocket to make it faster off the line, or a smaller one to give you a tad more highway speed, and less feeling like it's screaming.

You *could* add a 5-speed, but your top gear isn't really that much different any way.

Outside of that.....it's a shovel. Hell....Dean's Pan ran like a raped ape doing 80 mph up through MA and NH. No noise and plenty of power, and that's a pan with an original 1955 trans.

[scol]

Originally Posted by Dave63

Unless the bike was abused, the most you'll need is a valve job and maybe freshen up the rings and bore. If the bore is work, have it taken .010 over with some new pistons. There are a lot better slugs on the market then what you have in there.

You could add a slightly hotter cam, but that means better fuel ot it'll ping.

If you add a cam, I also suggest updating your lifters.

If you add new lifters, You might as well updat to better pushrods.

You have an S&S carb, so you're good there.

I'd also take Dean's advice and regear it. You can change to a larger rear sprocket to make it faster off the line, or a smaller one to give you a tad more highway speed, and less feeling like it's screaming.

You *could* add a 5-speed, but your top gear isn't really that much different any way.

Outside of that.....it's a shovel. Hell....Dean's Pan ran like a raped ape doing

. No noise and plenty of power, and that's a pan with an original 1955 trans.

cris sake I had mine up to 75 heard this whining and it was me. Ra n much quieter at 65

[ARBY]

With only 26K on the clock, if it's not knocking, rapping, pumping oil out of the motor or spewing blue smoke from the pipes I doubt that you're in need of a rebuild.

As far as the rasping sound, if you have a chain primary make sure it's properly adjusted. Adjust the lifters especially if they're solids and make sure it's timed properly and that you have the correct jets in the carb. How do the plugs look??? Pull em out and have a look. Here's a site you can check yours against. Spark Plugs

Hope this helps.

Oh yea, make sure your top motor mount is tight. A loose mount will give you a nice buzz through the nads.

[Badassbrutus]

A nice set of upsweeps and you dont even hear the engine....lol

was fun wasnt it Dave..lol..lucky i only kept it a quater throttle Shawn couldnt believe it with his Evo 5 speed...HAHAHA He thought he was gonna out power me ...Sucka....lol..Love my sled man.

[Chris Garrett]

Thanks guys. That's what I need ideas and choices. Seems most don't think I need a rebuild. That sprocket thing is really a trade-off isn't it? Either I make it a little faster with a bigger sprocket, or I make it more highway friendly with a smaller one. Can't have both. Oh, and I am running 60wt. oil.

[Kainam]

Originally Posted by Dave63

You *could* add a 5-speed, but your top gear isn't really that much different any way.

Yup. 5th gear in a 5 and/or 6 speed is the same transmission drive ratio as 4th gear in a 4 speed..... 1:1

[Colione]

Originally Posted by scol

cris sake I had mine up to 75 heard this whining and it was me. Ra n much quieter at 65

Sounds like Me!! ha ha ha

[48emodelpanhead]

Originally Posted by Chris Garrett

My engine has 26K on it. It runs pretty good but it makes weird rasping noises and it isn't as quick as I want it to be. The suv's easily pull away from me.

Chris, My last shovel started acting like that when it had that amount on the odometer. Dave's right top end will cure that. I'd wait until the winter for that.