Depends on the cams that you are installing, not all cams have the same base circle, for example a Woods TW777 cam has a smaller base circle than stock Harley or SE Cams, if you have had heads milled down and running a thin head gasket then you have made the stock pushrod to long and unusable, there are many more reasons to use adjustable pushrods but this is just a couple. It's not really an advantage but a necessity in some cases.

 

Most people use adjustables so they can install cams without pulling the gas tank and the rocker box covers. They will cut the OEM pushrods with a bolt cutter, and then install the adjustable push rods after putting in the new cam.

Many people use them, many people swear by them, and many, many people have used them with no issues... me, I don't like adjustable pushrods.... just a thing of mine.

If I can't reuse the OEM pushrods (new cams with same base circle as OEM) I have a pushrod measuring tool. I will measure the zero lash, decide what preload I want, and then order custom size pushrods from Smith Brothers. I've done it for two of my bikes, it's a little extra work, but it works for me.....

If I was working in a shop, it might take too long for fast turnover, and I'd probably cave and have to use adjustables......

 

Depends on how much misery you like......
If you never intend to take it apart solid PR are fine.
but if you use velcro for fasteners like I do then adjustable area the deal

 

Prefer not to use adj's. However, to address a front lifter lifter that would bleed down after the bike sat for a few weeks, then took 4-5 sec's to pump up when starting the bike, I installed adjustables in the front cylinder only. Before installing the adjs, I went through the top end again to replace the new front lifters thinking one was bad. But the exact same symptom occurred. With preload set at .130 in the front adjs, and stock prods in the rear, no bleed down now and the bike valve train sounds very good! Depending on lifters, cams and some bikes just behave differently, this is a ymmv.

Another thing to consider, if you install adjs and want to replace lifters as many of us believe they are a wear item, it will be much easier with adj's..

 

 

A very recent thread on this topic, FYI.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/engin...-pushrods.html

 

Ease of installation is the biggest plus, you don't have to strip half the bike to get to them. Ends up being personal choice, I'll use them anytime I can.

 

S&S "Quickie" adjustables and their premium lifters with shims installed and the rods adjusted "long" - 1/4 turn "off the shim" - silenced the very-mechanically-noisy motor on my '15 Limited.

That's what I bought and installed 'em for and I couldn't be happier with the results. No clattering at start-up and no ticking - ever!

Also installed a set of Rockout rocker shaft shims, FWIW. Mine didn't have the rotating rocker-shaft noises at the time, and now it never will.

Absolutely lovin' my (mechanically) super-quiet motor now.