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Author Topic: Finally ....Wow....129hp/129ft lbs  (Read 3627 times)

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Heatwave

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Finally ....Wow....129hp/129ft lbs
« on: March 14, 2012, 09:52:20 PM »

Well it's taken me 2 yrs and various tuners but I FINALLY got my build where it should have been all along. I have to say it's been worth the wait because the bike is simply remarkable now. I never thought performance could feel like this. Unlimited power whenever or wherever I want it. It's simply a blast to ride from a standing start to roll-on power to WOT grip & rip. Simply the best power I've ever felt in many decades of riding. Here's the highlights/lowlights of the saga.

- Bought my 2010 110" SE Ultra in Sept 2009
- Had the bike dynoed before upgrading the engine and it was 77hp/100ftlbs
- Sent my heads to Scott at Hillside for upgrading for a Woods 408-6 cam
- Added a 58mm TB, 5.3gms/sec injectors, Woods 408-6 cam, roller rockers, adj pushrods, SEPST, D&D Fatcat
- The engine was reassembled by my dealership (with the written committment that my warranty would be intact since they were assembling)
- Performance was good at 111hp/115ftlbs

I really had no significant complaints as the bike ran reasonable smooth and the dealership was definitely good by me. The ECU map was in closed loop below 3000rpms and got 40mpg, so I'm not really complaining but it just always felt like the "build's performance was left on the table" instead of in the bike.

So I decided to have another tuner take a shot at tuning it a year later. The bike ran smoother but actually lost a couple hp. Overall if felt somewhat better. Not necessarily stronger but definitely smoother throttle response.

So I lived with it...for a while. My itch came back and I figured I'd give another local guy a shot. Somewhat improved and got a few hp back and abit more tq but once again I was left with a feeling that something was still missing.

During this entire period I piled up over 20,000 miles on the build which was reliable in cold and hot weather and never stumbled, backfired or burped. Yet I was still left thinking the engine wasn't what I had originally hoped it could be.

I won't give out any of the names of these tuners as they were good to me and tried to make improvements and the last thing I want to do is give any negative feedback on anyone. So I won't.

I went back to my original thinking this winter and my discussions with Scott at Hillside and got to thinking about Joe's Cycle Repair in Mechanicville NY, since he was originally recommended for tuning the bike. I had a trip planned to Troy NY a month ago for another reason and figured I'd give Joe a call and trailer the bike with me on the trip. I brought the bike up and left it with him and he dialed it in. FINALLY my bike was all I ever imagined it could be. Simply exciting to ride. Well behaved yet able to spit fire whenever I want it to.

The bike is now at 129/129 Actual (smoothing set to 0). SAE graph is 123/123 and STD graph is 127/127.

Do I have regrets...YES...as in why the heck didn't I just go to Joe from the start. Was it a long drive to Troy NY? Yes! But it was an even longer drive waiting 2 years to FINALLY feel my bike perform with the potential it always had.

« Last Edit: March 15, 2012, 03:13:31 PM by Heatwave »
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Black Diamond

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Re: Finally ....Wow....129hp/129ft lbs
« Reply #1 on: March 14, 2012, 10:00:39 PM »

Looks great, congrats.

Did Joe do a base line prior to tuning so you can compare where you were to where you are?  How's she feel?

JW
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Heatwave

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Re: Finally ....Wow....129hp/129ft lbs
« Reply #2 on: March 14, 2012, 10:11:49 PM »

Looks great, congrats.

Did Joe do a base line prior to tuning so you can compare where you were to where you are?  How's she feel?

JW

She feels simply stunning. With a flick of the throttle the bike can jump from 55mph to 100 without any real sense of the speed or time. Acceleration from a street light is shocking compared to the previous map. Here's the base map (not very good) before his tuning
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my-hdblues

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Re: Finally ....Wow....129hp/129ft lbs
« Reply #3 on: March 31, 2013, 09:28:10 AM »

Hi Heatwave

I was searching threads on performance in  the CVO Harley forum.

Came across yours and I too having the same thoughts of there has got to be more.

I have a 2011 FLTRUSE and have experienced what you have done thus far and would like your input.

What if any what would you have done different/starting over to get where you are now on your scoot?

Thanks my-hdblues
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Charlie

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Re: Finally ....Wow....129hp/129ft lbs
« Reply #4 on: March 31, 2013, 09:33:47 AM »

Great Numbers, Well done, :2vrolijk_21:
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Heatwave

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Re: Finally ....Wow....129hp/129ft lbs
« Reply #5 on: March 31, 2013, 09:42:11 PM »

Hi Heatwave

I was searching threads on performance in  the CVO Harley forum.

Came across yours and I too having the same thoughts of there has got to be more.

I have a 2011 FLTRUSE and have experienced what you have done thus far and would like your input.

What if any what would you have done different/starting over to get where you are now on your scoot?

Thanks my-hdblues

From the lessons I've learned, I would have skipped some of the intermediate build stages. I'm not suggesting anything negative about them but I would have avoided spending money on interim steps like removing the Cat from the stock pipes and swapping out the baffles. I liked the Fullsac approach but since I ultimately wanted more, it would have just been easier to put the stock exhaust into storage and replace it right away with a Fatcat.

From my experience in this build, there are really only a few ways to squeeze this much power from a 110. There's no shortcuts, so save your money and do it right from the start. Be prepared because it takes a solid wallet and a great shop to do the engine right. Here's the components from my experience that have to be in place to get solid #s above 120/120:

* Headwork from a reputable shop that can upgrade valves, upgrade valve springs and flow the heads.
* Upgrade cam to a high performance, hi-lift cam. I went with a Woods 408-6 with a .650 lift. It's noisey, but its a damn beast both at the low end and ripping all the way to 6200. There are newer cams out there now that I'm not as familiar with such as the Woods 777 that might also be suitable considerations.
* Upgrade to roller rockers
* Upgrade to 58mm throttlebody
* Upgrade to 5.3g/s injectors
* Upgrade to adjustable pushrods
* Go to a strong 2:1 exhaust and the FatCat is the gold standard
* Reputable shop to do the reassembly
* Add Powervision Tuner with WinPV software

But before doing the spend on this build, you have to ask yourself a question. Would you be better off just swapping the stock CVO110 for a 120R and then selling the 110 on Ebay "as is"? If the 120R came in matching CVO cylinder colors, I think it would be a tough call to upgrade the 110. The 120R wasn't available when I was doing my build so it wasn't an option for me. But given the performance of my upgraded 110, I don't have a single regret. "Knock on wood" it has been a very reliable build. I have 30,000 miles on my 2010 without a hiccup. Just general maintenance. This past winter I had the shop take a look at the cam shoes since I stayed with a chain driven cam. The tech said both the inside and outer shoes look like they came from a brand new bike which was great to hear.

I considered gear driven cams but its a significant trade-off. The tolerances for a gear driven cam just won't accept any sloppiness from the factory. If there is even the slightest shaft variance, you'll be looking at a deeper teardown and I just didn't want to go there. Only time will tell if that was a good call.

The only other consideration is whether or not the stock bottom end is going to handle the higher power without welding and balancing the crank. I didn't tear down the bottom-end and this too will only turn out to be a good decision with more time and miles. But so far, it's been a good call. Hopefully this info is helpful, but trust me, there are no shortcuts. It'll cost you to do this build right. But it'll cost you a whole lot more to do this build wrong.

I couldn't be more pleased as I've been on both many short day rides and multiple multi-thousand mile rides, both solo and 2-up. I could never go back to less power!
« Last Edit: March 31, 2013, 09:54:17 PM by Heatwave »
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CowboyBagger

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Re: Finally ....Wow....129hp/129ft lbs
« Reply #6 on: March 31, 2013, 11:42:01 PM »

I'm getting almost the same thing done, plus I sent the bottom end to Darkhorse.  I sure hope I get the seat of the pants results that you did!

Congratulations,

Cowboy
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Heatwave

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Re: Finally ....Wow....129hp/129ft lbs
« Reply #7 on: April 01, 2013, 06:24:03 AM »

I'm getting almost the same thing done, plus I sent the bottom end to Darkhorse.  I sure hope I get the seat of the pants results that you did!

Congratulations,

Cowboy

What cam are you going with?
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CowboyBagger

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Re: Finally ....Wow....129hp/129ft lbs
« Reply #8 on: April 01, 2013, 11:14:38 AM »

What cam are you going with?

T-Man recommended the 600.  TR is doing the heads.

Cowboy
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willyB

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Re: Finally ....Wow....129hp/129ft lbs
« Reply #9 on: April 01, 2013, 02:44:48 PM »

I'm drooling now. 129/129, Nice!

I was at my local HD dealer last fall when the tuner was tuning a 110 with Woods 777, headwork, pistons, TB, etc.. He wasn't done yet but he was rolling mid 120 numbers. I don't remember the pipes but it sounded bada$$!

Now I just gotta find my money tree!

If you want to donate to my fund go to www.Willybwantsmorepower.com;D ;D
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Racerdj

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Re: Finally ....Wow....129hp/129ft lbs
« Reply #10 on: April 07, 2013, 08:49:28 AM »

Nice numbers.
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