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[Red Dragon]

Hey all you motor-heads on here....Need some tech advice. I've been reading some of the "motor related posts" on here for months, and while a lot of you probably take your vast knowledge for granted...Believe me, I absolutely envy you "Super Motor-Heads"....but having said that, most of what I read is like some foreign language. My question mostly concerns the builder's break-in advice. He says he'll "FULLY BREAK IT IN ON THE DYNO" Does that sound right?
I'm new here...just joined 3 days ago. Got my old "dream bike" (my first H-D of a total of two that I've owned) back after missing her for a long time (not the original, but a low mileage replacement).
It's a 2001 CVO FXDWG2...but NOT STOCK. I had new tires put on it, I changed ALL the fluids...rebuilt both calipers and both master cylinders using a service manual and H-D rebuild kits, and put a new battery in her (even though the seller said the battery in her was only 1 year old).

Now, I'm having some motor work done, and was just introduced to the guy that's working on it (comes highly recommended, with lots of praise from previous & current customers in the form of letters and emails posted on his shops wall). I haven't owned a "high performance" anything except maybe a boat I owned for a while in the early 80's.

OK, here goes...
Carbed Twin Cam 95" ....Looks completely OEM STOCK just like it rolled off the showroom floor in September of 2000 (with some extra H-D chrome bling and some SE stuff added by selling dealer) ....bought it on 2/26/13  from an extremely nice guy, that took great care of it since new, but let it sit for LONG PERIODS while he was out of the country.

 I'm told by the builder/shop owner that this is basically a "fairly mild build"...whatever that means. I guess that's good because I'm not interested in a Hot Rod...Just a little something more than a 2 wheeled tractor...

Back to my original question. The guy that's adding some UPGRADED pieces to the motor says that since it's still a very low mileage motorcycle, I should continue to break it in....BUT BREAK IT IN HARD.  I feel I'm in good hands...BUT...He says the "best" way to break it in is on the dyno. He says he breaks it in HARD. DOES THAT SOUND RIGHT??? I've always been told to break it in "Easy".

Thanks to all that provide comments and insight on this in advance.

[2k]

You have trusted your builder until now, this is no time to stop. I always have and always will: Make sure I got good fluids and break it in like you gonna ride it. If its going to break, it would be better to let the builder do it

[ultrarider123]

You have trusted your builder until now, this is no time to stop. I always have and always will: Make sure I got good fluids and break it in like you gonna ride it. If its going to break, it would be better to let the builder do it

X2...couldn't have said it better than that.

[Red Dragon]

2ksoftail and Haird
First...You have no idea how good you just made me feel. I've never used a "INDEPENDENT Shop" before. Totally NEW to me. I absolutely trust him...especially now. (HE JUST CALLED ME).



I will follow his advice. I have always used H-D FLUIDS in the past, but he explained the benfits of another brand (that he will be using in my motor).

[GregKhougaz]

In answer to your original question, yes! You might want to read this article:  Break In Secrets

[timo482]

break in on a dyno is a very good idea

there were lots of problems with the cam chains in that era bike.. the fix is either gears or the new hd cam chain update.

the hd update uses your existing cams and provides a better oil pump and better tensioners - very cost effective preventive maint.

the cam you chose is a fairly high rev cam - but its a light bike - keep the rpm up.

to

[Red Dragon]

Thanks guys. Thank you sooo much. I am learning some of this stuff so fast. It makes me feel good to finally do something right with my dream bike.
Thanks again...I love this forum.

[lilcoot]

Yup.  Definitely a full blown case of "Manopause". 

We expect a full report on your new baby after you try her out.  And welcome to the forum.

Dan

[HILLSIDECYCLE.COM]

Don't feel your walking on thin ice.
Ride it in a normal fashion, without lugging, and no higher rpm pulls, and you'll be just fine.
Scott

[prodrag1320]

does this builder walk on water too? i know (or know of) just about every builder in florida(and indiana,as I just moved to florida from indiana 2.5 years ago).dont know of anyone who`s worked on HD motors AND formula 1 AND has a airplane,ect,ect.atleast give a town and ill tell if your getting BSed (beleave me,over 30 years in bussiness,ive heard stories like this more than i can count).as far as break in goes,PM me your email address and ill send our break in instructions

[Fullsac Performance]

In answer to your original question, yes! You might want to read this article:  Break In Secrets

I'm a firm believer in this guys way of thinking. Anything new in my shop goes straight to the dyno room. Warm it up and pin it.

SG

[prodrag1320]

we `ve got alot of bikes in over the years with the "the builder told me ride it like i stole it" or "break in in hard",as we tear it down for scuffed pistons or microwelded rings.these break in methods are a crap shoot at best.we tell guys with our builds to follow our break in instructions and they have 100K motors with out fail

[Fullsac Performance]

I got to get set of those wheelie Bars!

Steve

[RayG]

Steve

I always liked that photo.  Are you running low air pressure for better traction or is the exhaust system leveraged to the point of distorting the tire?  With your mechanical skills maybe you could come up with a set of small wheels that would roll instead of the exhaust scraping.  Or you could use some ball bearings that are encased but it wouldn't go with your logo of "Don't ride with Half a Sak"  If you manufacture a protective wheelie system using heavy duty enclosed ball bearings system could advertize "Even if you ride with small balls we here at Full Sak can get you some air time.   Or "Once you get it up we here at Full Sak can help you keep it up"   Be honest I'll bet you have given thought to all kinds of ways to keep the bike in a wheelie position.     

Just trying to help!

[Fullsac Performance]

Steve

I always liked that photo.  Are you running low air pressure for better traction or is the exhaust system leveraged to the point of distorting the tire?  With your mechanical skills maybe you could come up with a set of small wheels that would roll instead of the exhaust scraping.  Or you could use some ball bearings that are encased but it wouldn't go with your logo of "Don't ride with Half a Sak"  If you manufacture a protective wheelie system using heavy duty enclosed ball bearings system could advertize "Even if you ride with small balls we here at Full Sak can get you some air time.   Or "Once you get it up we here at Full Sak can help you keep it up"   Be honest I'll bet you have given thought to all kinds of ways to keep the bike in a wheelie position.     

Just trying to help!

Hi Ray

Riding around with a pair of mufflers with an inch and a half wore off the bottom does add a little proof to the situation.   

I do have a Sunday set of CVOs that I'm not allowed to scrape.

Steve