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[b407driver]

The two local tuners I have talked to are trying desperately trying to sell me cams in addition to the exhaust / tuner I have planned. I'm not really opposed to upgrading the cam in my 110, but both guys want to pop the heads off to put in Cometic gaskets. I would probably agree to the cam swap if they would just do the cams and use the quick install adjustable pushrods so the heads don't have to come off. Any thoughts??

[Twolanerider]

They're almost certainly not making the suggestion just to change gaskets but to install a thinner gasket; as a way to bump compression a tiny bit.  There is a compression boost to be had there, though a small one.  Some cams perform better with more compression and, sometimes, even a small amount makes a noticeable difference.

[jr1000yarder]

Had mine done and couldnt be happier.  Was able to get 9.985:1  Close enough to 10:1 for me

[GregKhougaz]

I'm no expert but here's how Steve at Fullsac explained it to me when I went with the Andrews 54H cam:  You get slightly more compression and a few extra horses for very few dollars.  You put more money into labor to remove the heads, etc. but save on parts, ie. adjustable push rods which are heavier and noisier than the stock ones.  He also said you get lower cranking pressure.  I've also seen posts here about the adjustable rods getting out of adjustment.   

[grc]

Exactly what cams are these people recommending?  The small increase in compression ratio a thinner head gasket will provide can be beneficial in some cases, but if the cam you choose needs 10.5-11.0 compression the tiny increase you'd get with the gasket change is unlikely to be worth the labor cost.  The stock CR is about 9.2:1, and a .010" - .015" thinner gasket might get you to 9.4-9.5:1.  That is still far from optimum for certain cams.  So the first question to ask is exactly what cam is being recommended.  Then find out from the cam manufacturer what they recommend for the optimum compression ratio.  If they say 10.5:1, and the best you can do with a gasket change is 9.5:1, I'd submit that you would be better off doing it the right way with 10.5 CR pistons.


Jerry


btw, I assume you're talking about a new ('12, '13) bike.  Before you get carried away by the sales pitches from those tuners, you need to consider what affect internal mods may have on your factory warranty as well as the ESP if you bought it.  Not saying don't do it, just saying don't get talked into something you didn't ask for in the first place without considering all the ramifications.  Are those guys going to step up and cover warranty (in writing) if Harley or ESP deny coverage in the future if you have a failure?  This sort of thing isn't important to some owners, but based on all the questions posted around here in the past about warranty and ESP coverage for modified bikes I would guess it is pretty important to some.

[Doc 1]

Exactly what cams are these people recommending?  The small increase in compression ratio a thinner head gasket will provide can be beneficial in some cases, but if the cam you choose needs 10.5-11.0 compression the tiny increase you'd get with the gasket change is unlikely to be worth the labor cost.  The stock CR is about 9.2:1, and a .010" - .015" thinner gasket might get you to 9.4-9.5:1.  That is still far from optimum for certain cams.  So the first question to ask is exactly what cam is being recommended.  Then find out from the cam manufacturer what they recommend for the optimum compression ratio.  If they say 10.5:1, and the best you can do with a gasket change is 9.5:1, I'd submit that you would be better off doing it the right way with 10.5 CR pistons.


Jerry


btw, I assume you're talking about a new ('12, '13) bike.  Before you get carried away by the sales pitches from those tuners, you need to consider what affect internal mods may have on your factory warranty as well as the ESP if you bought it.  Not saying don't do it, just saying don't get talked into something you didn't ask for in the first place without considering all the ramifications.  Are those guys going to step up and cover warranty (in writing) if Harley or ESP deny coverage in the future if you have a failure?  This sort of thing isn't important to some owners, but based on all the questions posted around here in the past about warranty and ESP coverage for modified bikes I would guess it is pretty important to some.

Again I agree 100% with Jerry......

[cherryseeg2]

The main advantage to me of changing head gaskets is to tighten the quench. Makes the engine less prone to pinging.

[Fxr4Rider]

Just finished the 54's with the new head gaskets an original rods.  Also put in new heavy duty cam bearings along with new lifters. And plugged in a map Steve provided.



Now I am not much of an expert, but I can tell you this scoot has really quieted down. The clackey racket is gone!

Took my beauty out for a little run, and sure am impressed.

And best of all.  Did the entire job myself!