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[Ironhorse]

Greg, would that be Branch doing the head work?

[GregKhougaz]

 

Greg, would that be Branch doing the head work?

No Mark.  Kirk told me the name three times and I still can't remember!      I'm a dork!   I'll check Tuesday. 

[sadunbar]

Thanks again for the help and information!

Progress!  ESP will cover Lifter and compensator replacement without inspection.  Estimate for that is about $1600 thus far.  Just over $900 for parts (plus extra cost of upgrades).  I'll get a list.   That puts me way ahead of the game on the ESP which already did a clutch hub assembly for about $900 two years ago.  Dealer agrees I don't need the SE Cam plate and thinks that would just cause issues if I renew the ESP.  Yes on SE oil pump. 

We are going to send the heads out for rework,  new valves, guides and seals plus maybe a small compression bump.  Dealer clarified that it was not necessary to pull head unless I planned to service them but agreed it's a good idea.  They use B ____ in Ventura, CA and as I type this I am blanking on the name even though I had previously hear of them.  Dealer gives them the specifics of my build and they service accordingly. 

I'll get a draft and update with specifics but I'm encouraged.      

Dave Mackie is in Ventura, CA... 

[Spiderman]

I'm just gonna toss this in here and if anyone wants to disagree, have at it.

In my experience, there is nobody better than Dave Mackie Engineering (DME) for top end work. At various times, he's done the top ends of the best racers in the land which is great if you're a racer, but also (again in my experience) he's the best there is for street bikes that produce great performance while still being exceptionally reliable. I built LD's motor from all Screamin Eagle parts because at the time my dealer told me he'd continue my extended warranty so long as I did. I have no regrets as my built up SE 103 holds it's own, but it's not anywhere near what Bubba_T's got with an all Mackie top end. And Bubba's ridden his bike about 40k since the rebuild so I guess that says a lot too. Ok, I'm off on a tangent here but my point is that unless you've got a dealer willing to keep your warranty in force using H-D Screaming Eagle parts and his (the dealers) techs then find a shop that has a standing relationship with DME and you'll be a very happy rider

B B

[sadunbar]

I'm just gonna toss this in here and if anyone wants to disagree, have at it.

In my experience, there is nobody better than Dave Mackie Engineering (DME) for top end work. At various times, he's done the top ends of the best racers in the land which is great if you're a racer, but also (again in my experience) he's the best there is for street bikes that produce great performance while still being exceptionally reliable. I built LD's motor from all Screamin Eagle parts because at the time my dealer told me he'd continue my extended warranty so long as I did. I have no regrets as my built up SE 103 holds it's own, but it's not anywhere near what Bubba_T's got with an all Mackie top end. And Bubba's ridden his bike about 40k since the rebuild so I guess that says a lot too. Ok, I'm off on a tangent here but my point is that unless you've got a dealer willing to keep your warranty in force using H-D Screaming Eagle parts and his (the dealers) techs then find a shop that has a standing relationship with DME and you'll be a very happy rider

B B

Completely agree...   

[Twolanerider]

Completely agree...   

yeah, me too (three?). 


What they said.  Can't beat Mackie's work or the results that come from them.

[GregKhougaz]

Scott, Don, Spider, 

From what I've read, you're right!  But also, this is not a race bike nor am I going to have any sophisticated work done.  I'm going for reliability over increase performance.  My dealer uses his guy and does not get along with DME for whatever reason.  It may be that they get a better deal but considering Dealer went out on a limb to get the ESP in line, I agreed to go along with his choice for the top end work.  Let me find out who it is.  I can't believe that I'm still blanking on the name but it was someone I'd heard of.     

GK

[Rooster]

Greg don't forget to have them check the runout while they are there. Good luck with the work.

[Twolanerider]

Scott, Don, Spider, 

From what I've read, you're right!  But also, this is not a race bike nor am I going to have any sophisticated work done.  I'm going for reliability over increase performance.  My dealer uses his guy and does not get along with DME for whatever reason.  It may be that they get a better deal but considering Dealer went out on a limb to get the ESP in line, I agreed to go along with his choice for the top end work.  Let me find out who it is.  I can't believe that I'm still blanking on the name but it was someone I'd heard of.     

GK

Didn't mean to suggest other's aren't good also.  Including several of the vendors here.  Just that Mackie is too.  And when a shop is doing the work within your set of circumstance a guy doesn't always have the say you otherwise might if you were paying the bill. 

[prodrag1320]

whoever is doing your heads,make sure your not getting "cookie cutter,off the shelf" heads,make sure their being done & set up for YOUR build.what may work great on one build,can kill another

[GregKhougaz]

Progress report: 

Heads are off and being sent today with my build specifications to Earl Burley, Burley Performance in Ridgecrest, CA.  I am told by three wrenches from Dealer that he is old school and very, very good at what he does.  The advantage to "their" choice is that if there is an issue later, I have a valid gripe. 

Only a couple of web references but they speak highly of him.  Anyone heard of Earl?   Thanks!

[Panhead_Jimmy]

...It has also always had starting issues.  Replaced starter clutch twice and still get occasional kick back on starts...   

Greg, I also had the starter kick back issues multiple times after I had a certain Marina Del Rey dealer install and "tune" the Direct Link system.  That Diect Link always seemed like the Automatic Compression Releases were turned off.  I finally had it removed and installed a Race Tuner and had Fullerton H-D do a dyno tune and the bike has never kicked back since.  I have to agree with prodrag1320 that kick back from starter is tune related. 

Also, my technician uses Dave Mackie for all of his street and race applications (and he's done a LOT) and never had a complaint.

Good luck with your upgrades.

Jimmy

[JKM]

You should consider going with S&S lifters rather than Harley lifters.

[GregKhougaz]

You should consider going with S&S lifters rather than Harley lifters.

Good point and I did.  Trying to avoid ESP issues though.   Bike looks lonely waiting on head work.