Red's Mid-America Meander Meets

Re: In Hell

WOW! :witsend: Well, if your engine did blow up on I94E it was the most uneventful catastrophic failure I have ever been around. Like you said, ABSOLUTELY amazing that it kept going. At least we got there.

Keep me posted for later this week. We have a cigar shop here in town and I will sit and have a stogie with you if you can make it. Wait a minute, I can't, I am quitting on Wednesday, , but I will get you one.

Now you got me worried, I have the S&S 510 gear set up as well. It's been in there for almost 50,000 miles. How many miles did you have on yours?

So many questions....answered in no particular order.

- The 510G cam that is in there, according to the shop, was put in without allowing for any play. It was set too tight. I don't really know all that much about it, but the explanation seemed to make sense to me, especially since Harley switched from their spring loaded cam adjusted to the hydraulics - not to gears. I had about 45K or more on that cam.

- The trade-in option is out. I love everything about Red except her broken heart, and I blame myself for that.

- The QUESTION OF THE DAY is: do I get a remanufactured 88 (it will have the new style hydraulic cam tensioner) or do I get this one fixed, but up-bored to 95? See, I always give folks that MORE POWER their rides crap, as most never come near as close to using it as I do. But, the thing is, the shop has the bores and sleeves and all for a 95inch TC88A - and so it would be about as quick (and possibly cheaper) to go 95. So who out there put big miles on an 88, but then went 95 and has something to say?

Uh oh, the shops calling.............

The cases are split; the flywheel is on it's way from Tennessee; the 95 kit will replace parts that would have needed to be machined anyway (and that machining adding a day at least); the new cam set due in tomorrow...they expect I will be motoring Wednesday morning, and it could be Tuesday evening!

The re-man option is out, as Harley needs to physically have the old core before sending the new engine out....would take way too long.

I may not have wanted to up the cubes to 95, but what the heck...now I'll really see if it makes the ride better.

I am glad that everything is working out well so to speak. Wow, a 95", I would like them cubes...

Red,
2005 FLSTF, just under 68,000 mile now.
I had 59,000 miles when I went to a 95 incher in late April of this year, I have almost 9,000 miles on the 95 now, I still have the gear drive S&S 510 cams. At first I could tell a difference now I'm used to it. I get the same mileage as before, I'm carbureted just like you are, I have the CV Performance kit in the carb except that I still run the N65C needle. I am not sorry I went to a 95"er.
It pulls much stronger in the mid range were I do most of my riding. On the highway I can be cruising at 70 and hit the throttle and be to 90 real quick.
I haven't had it over 100mph but once. Runs 80-85 all day no problems. Takes a little more gas at those speeds though, drops to about 44 mpg's.
Just break it in easy for the first 500 miles or so. Mostly don't hold it at any steady rpm for to long, I'd really like a 6 speed tranny.

I look to be in Sturgis some time Thursday, or maybe Friday. Anyone besides Abby gonna be there too?

Abby, I sure wouldn't mind chatting about your novel, if ya have a few minutes or so free.

HarleysLR - Thanks for the info. That is encouraging, and maybe I will be getting some lemonade out of this lemon crop.

JohnnyBiker - I'd bet you'd have a 96" or better in no time at all. Dang young whipper-snappers!

HRK - Thanks for all the input. Prior to your post I talked to the lead wrench on the repair and discussed riding style specifically for cam choice. I won't be surprised if it is a 204.

HRK -

I get what you mean, but I really am in the "beggars can't be choosers" mode right now. As much as it pains me, I have to trust my fellow human beings to do what needs to be done. All indications are that they do what they say and say what they do at Hal's Harley-Davidson in New Berlin, WI (OK, I did all that promo stuff so I could Google it later if they did let me down!).

And Buttcrack is in New Jersey, not Nevada...just sayin'........:roflmao:

HR may let me ride her bike, as she sure let me push it! But, really, I'm not gonna leave my Red behind. We're a team. Ain't my way.

Warranties are all fine and dandy, and often can help. But if someone doesn't honor their word or their work, a warranty is only as good as your lawyer. They are working real hard at getting me back on the road ASAP, and I have to believe it is because they want to do right by the code. They might build their rep with the BT crowd, too.

So Red will be ready tomorrow or Wednesday (fingers crossed). I'll be in New Berlin awaiting her release, and will update when I either know more or have ended my next riding day.

:cheers:

I have some fine pics of JB and HR riding, but will have to wait til I can get a way to interface the camera to the computer (left the cable at home, and am looking for a SD to USB interface locally)

I have been in that dealership looking at bikes and basing my opinion on the quality of bikes that they have, I think that they are awesome. Doing what they are doing says a lot about what kind of business they operate. Like you said, it looked like that new SM was out of his comfort zone.

I called Wild Prairie today and I thanked them for the what they did for you. It made me feel good that my choice of a home dealership was a good one. I know of three dealerships around me here that most likely would have never have done what they did.

I hope that it works out. Oh yeah, HR appreciates the help. We were a three person team that day that is for sure.

I know my bike wouldn't compare to Red for you!

I'd love to talk about the book. I'd like to stay out until it's done, which I could do time-wise, but I'd need to find a really cheap hotel.

I'll be in Sturgis today. I have a campsite tonight and Wednesday, and if I end up staying, it'll be because someone I know can sneak me in somewhere. My Thunder Roads boss might be able to help me out. At the worst, Shade Valley will have a few square feet I can pitch my tent on. I'll pm you my number.

Hey Red Rider! How's Red doing?