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CVO Technical => General CVO discussion => Topic started by: deaf1 on September 28, 2009, 12:34:30 PM

Title: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: deaf1 on September 28, 2009, 12:34:30 PM
2008 SERK

My motor is apart waiting for a new flywheel (thank you quality control @ CVO).....

This would be the only time I would have the chance to diamond cut the heads.  Diamond Heads in Nevada will do them for $450.00,  but I have never seen them on my bike with a charcol colored engine....

Any one have opinions or better yet pictures???

Thx

Scott
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: Twolanerider on September 28, 2009, 12:45:02 PM
Not with your engine color.  But here's with red.

Only thing I'd suggest to consider is that after seeing a few there's never a time when diamond cutting looks bad.  But against a silver motor it doesn't stand out as much.  A little darker background really helps it pop.
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: deaf1 on September 28, 2009, 12:53:23 PM
Not with your engine color.  But here's with red.

Only thing I'd suggest to consider is that after seeing a few there's never a time when diamond cutting looks bad.  But against a silver motor it doesn't stand out as much.  A little darker background really helps it pop.

I was just reading your thread of the crap you went thru with Diamond Heads in NV.... That scares  the crp out of me!!!

It is funny tho,  my shop said the same thing with the silver motor not giving it much of a contrast....  I hope someone has a anniv 08 SERK that did it...  Someone of the 1800 had to :)

Anyone else have good/bad experiences w/ Diamond Heads???


Scott
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: Twolanerider on September 28, 2009, 01:12:28 PM
I was just reading your thread of the crap you went thru with Diamond Heads in NV.... That scares  the crp out of me!!!

It is funny tho,  my shop said the same thing with the silver motor not giving it much of a contrast....  I hope someone has a anniv 08 SERK that did it...  Someone of the 1800 had to :)

Anyone else have good/bad experiences w/ Diamond Heads???


Scott

Scott, so many of the vendors are a pain in the ass to work with anymore.  We're just lemmings with backpacks to carry dollar bills to their door.  At least that's the way they behave.

Assuming you've got enough contrast to make the diamond cutting really pop the end result is nice.  But take the time to ask the company all the appropriate questions beforehand.  Nail them down on expected schedules and follow through to do what you can to keep them to their promises.

A side note about Diamond Heads is their patent on the diamond cutting machine work.  Have to admit that bothers me a little.  It's just machine work.  There are other shops that do the work but who don't advertise it much.  But I still don't get how one company gets to make a relatively straighforward machining process a proprietary enterprise.  It's just attention to detail and a cutting machine...
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: firebike on September 28, 2009, 02:44:35 PM
Here is a pic of Diamond cut on a granite motor...09
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: firebike on September 28, 2009, 02:46:58 PM
and another one....
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: deaf1 on September 28, 2009, 02:50:23 PM
Here is a pic of Diamond cut on a granite motor...09

Very nice!  I do see what they mean about the contrast... This will be a tough call...
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: Twolanerider on September 28, 2009, 03:02:54 PM
Very nice!  I do see what they mean about the contrast... This will be a tough call...

If you can find it look for a picture of Grover's orange and black 04 SEEG.  It's a silver motor with the diamond cutting.  I saw Mark's bike at Cripple Creek a few years ago and fell in love with the diamond cutting work while leaning down underneath it looking for a potentially broken front motor mount.  Raised up from the ground and was nose to fin with the diamond cutting.  Immediately hooked.  Mark cost me $$$ that day :drink: .
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: firebike on September 28, 2009, 03:26:38 PM
I have always received compliments in the diamond cut heads on the granite engine. I agree that the contrast is not as good as my 04 Road King with the black engine. However it is still far better than the 'blonde" motor. I will post some additional photos later today.
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: napalm on September 28, 2009, 03:59:26 PM
Scott,

I had the diamond cut cylinders on my 2003 Road King...Looks great.

If you have a grey background engine, you can add lights tjhat will really light it up.  If your engine is apart it's the best time to do it.

When I had the enhancement down on my 2008 SEUC, I did not think to get it done until it was toooo late.

napalm
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: Twolanerider on September 28, 2009, 08:45:13 PM
Was asked if had pics a little closer in on the diamond cutting.  Didn't quickly find any from after assembly but did have these from while parts were still on the bench.
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: Twolanerider on September 28, 2009, 08:46:02 PM
Same head with the cylinder head bridge laid across.
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: Twolanerider on September 28, 2009, 08:46:46 PM
One of the Axtell jugs.  Poorer light but still ok to illustrate the diamond cutting.
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: Black Diamond on September 29, 2009, 10:43:01 AM
Scott

Here's mine on a granite motor. Many at MV commented on it

JW
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: Black Diamond on September 29, 2009, 10:45:12 AM
.
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: Twolanerider on September 29, 2009, 10:51:43 AM
This is a bad thread.  It was on my mind this morning after a 20 mile ride to to breakfast at a place about a mile away from the house.  Got back and climbed off the SEEG with its colored and diamond cut cylinders and heads and just knew I could hear the SERG saying "daddy, what about me?"

Explained to it that silver is beautiful too.  And she's ok with it for now.  But I fear the subject will come up again some cold winter day.
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: deaf1 on September 29, 2009, 11:16:14 AM
Ok,

You are all bad people.... Between the ideas and the actual equipment I have bought off of this board I am now only able to afford very cheap beer that comes in cans "old style".....

Having the dealer ship em out to Diamond Heads....

JW,  you are evil......
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: Black Diamond on September 29, 2009, 12:56:45 PM
Ok,

You are all bad people.... Between the ideas and the actual equipment I have bought off of this board I am now only able to afford very cheap beer that comes in cans "old style".....

Having the dealer ship em out to Diamond Heads....

JW,  you are evil......

Thank you Sir, May I have another?

I have a name on who did mine that was very reasonable if your interested, PM me.

JW
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: spydglide on September 30, 2009, 05:58:13 PM
Thank you Sir, May I have another?

I have a name on who did mine that was very reasonable if your interested, PM me.

JW
And may I add from recent 1st hand lust, they are Beautiful !!!  :-* har!  spyder
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: Black Diamond on October 01, 2009, 09:51:20 AM
And may I add from recent 1st hand lust, they are Beautiful !!!  :-* har!  spyder

Thank you very much sir!

JW
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: Invisible68 on October 28, 2009, 12:17:54 AM
Well I have decided to have my heads diamond cut as soon as I get the bike it will be winter so might as well befor the rings are scored.  but... the big butt.... is I want a headbolt bridge.. but in the cataloog there is no Granite finish  availible... so what to do... was thinking just might have to powder coat the heads and jugs blue then have them diamond cut.... any one else find the granite ones... I do like the idea of keeping some things the same but making them better....

anyone know where I could get granite bridge?!?
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: Black Diamond on October 28, 2009, 12:33:11 AM
Well I have decided to have my heads diamond cut as soon as I get the bike it will be winter so might as well befor the rings are scored.  but... the big butt.... is I want a headbolt bridge.. but in the cataloog there is no Granite finish  availible... so what to do... was thinking just might have to powder coat the heads and jugs blue then have them diamond cut.... any one else find the granite ones... I do like the idea of keeping some things the same but making them better....

anyone know where I could get granite bridge?!?

Used the Harley granite paint for my heads and cylinders. Came out very good IMO. Sorry, I don't have a close up on just the motor.

JW
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: Invisible68 on October 28, 2009, 01:13:31 AM
besides 10 bucks... what is the difference from the standard diamond cut and the show cut?!?
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: Invisible68 on October 28, 2009, 01:19:58 AM
besides 10 bucks... what is the difference from the standard diamond cut and the show cut?!?
opps... ment HD... hundred dollars....

Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: LarryB on October 28, 2009, 08:30:24 AM
Ok,

You are all bad people.... Between the ideas and the actual equipment I have bought off of this board I am now only able to afford very cheap beer that comes in cans "old style".....

Having the dealer ship em out to Diamond Heads....

JW,  you are evil......
nothing wrong with Old Style, from LaCrosse Wisconsin, grew up drinking it.
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: LarryB on October 28, 2009, 08:31:11 AM
Used the Harley granite paint for my heads and cylinders. Came out very good IMO. Sorry, I don't have a close up on just the motor.

JW
the granite paint from HD works good, used it on the bridge and starter
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: porthole on October 28, 2009, 10:35:24 AM
Scott, so many of the vendors are a pain in the ass to work with anymore.  We're just lemmings with backpacks to carry dollar bills to their door.  At least that's the way they behave.

Assuming you've got enough contrast to make the diamond cutting really pop the end result is nice.  But take the time to ask the company all the appropriate questions beforehand.  Nail them down on expected schedules and follow through to do what you can to keep them to their promises.

A side note about Diamond Heads is their patent on the diamond cutting machine work.  Have to admit that bothers me a little.  It's just machine work.  There are other shops that do the work but who don't advertise it much.  But I still don't get how one company gets to make a relatively straighforward machining process a proprietary enterprise.  It's just attention to detail and a cutting machine...


Yeah all that and what about the show cut  :nixweiss: that they told you about - after the fact  :nixweiss:
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: Twolanerider on October 28, 2009, 11:10:29 AM

Yeah all that and what about the show cut  :nixweiss: that they told you about - after the fact  :nixweiss:

Didn't see you'd asked about the show cut Duane.  Will gladly tell you what I remember of it now though.

No difference in the cutting itself for their "show cut."  Difference is where and not how they cut.  The "show cut" simply extends the cutting a bit farther around behind the pushrod tubes and other spots.  It's simply a more complete job getting areas they think are generally unseen and don't do in their "standard" cut.
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: Twolanerider on October 28, 2009, 11:25:21 AM
besides 10 bucks... what is the difference from the standard diamond cut and the show cut?!?

Ah, there's the question.  Duane hadn't asked, Invisible had (there might be irony in that).
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: johnsachs on October 28, 2009, 05:15:35 PM
You have to be in the loop to get a job as good or better than the people who hold that bogus patent.Can't mess with them,as they'll have the other cutters in court in a heartbeat. :( Too bad as the money saved is quite a bit.Just saying... :'(
John
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: Twolanerider on October 28, 2009, 06:56:09 PM
You have to be in the loop to get a job as good or better than the people who hold that bogus patent.Can't mess with them,as they'll have the other cutters in court in a heartbeat. :( Too bad as the money saved is quite a bit.Just saying... :'(
John

Above and beyond the holding of the what seems to me very questionable patent I'd still choose not to work with them again.  My experience was that they were unfortunately slower than promised, unnecessarily questionable in a billing and shipping practice and unwilling to do anything about anything after the fact.  There are other cutters out there.  Perhaps unwilling to advertise the fact.  But they're out there.  Good for them.
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: Black Diamond on October 28, 2009, 10:41:57 PM
You have to be in the loop to get a job as good or better than the people who hold that bogus patent.Can't mess with them,as they'll have the other cutters in court in a heartbeat. :( Too bad as the money saved is quite a bit.Just saying... :'(
John

Patent...based on reduction in heat, ya right!
Remember when free enterprise and competition was good for business and the customer

JW
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: Twolanerider on October 29, 2009, 02:12:23 AM
Patent...based on reduction in heat, ya right!


JW

In that case I'm applying for a patent for riding in the rain...
Title: Re: Anyone Diamond Cut heads?
Post by: Twolanerider on October 29, 2009, 02:12:49 AM
In that case I'm applying for a patent for riding in the rain...


...or in the winter.