This article may be old but it's starting to worry me...

I have a 17 m8 SGS with the stage 1 (SE breather, SE tuner, V&H power duals and VH slip-ons)

I also ordered the stage II torque kit and am planning on having it done in two weeks. In the meantime I've been reading more on these kits and found some concerning info.. I know it's just a cam upgrade kit but because it comes with adjustable pushrods vs non-adjustable, there is a concern for reliability.

Also told the bike will run much hotter and put significantly more stress on the stock components. Should I be concerned about long term reliability?

no, I don't expect the bike to last 50 years and 500,000 miles but I do expect to have her for a few years and I do plan on riding her 2-3 times a week. (some two up)

Is going with a stage II cam upgrade a mistake? should I leave the frikin bike alone. Anyone done a stage II (on any bike) and lived to regret it?

thoughts on reliability, engine heat, etc?

as for warranty, my local HD said no problem. All covered.

I just don't want to spend more time on the side of the road than I really need to.

http://www.jamesrussellpublishing.bi...torcycles.html

 

Adjustable push rods are not an issue, many engine builders use them. Don't think heat would be an issue if it was correctly tuned. My other bikes that have had worked engines ran cool and I ran the sh*t out of them coast to coast. If your happy save your money and ease your mind its not going to be that big an increase in power anyway

 

The Harley kits are very conservative and reliable from my experience.
I have a '17 RG with the stg2 torque setup. A better above 3k a little loss down low.
Overall I'm not convinced, based on my riding style, I got anything worthwhile with the cost.
Bob

 

Can't imagine a torque kit, where you won't be keeping higher RPMs, compromising reliability. Plus, you have already bought it AND you'll keep warranty.

I say go for it, don't worry, enjoy.

 

interesting. your torque cam kit gave you some improvement over 3k but a little loss under?? wasn't really expecting that. thanks for the input.

not worried about the money.. it's not a big investment by any means but more concerned about the engine blowing up on the highway. Was looking to see if anyone had a truly bad experience going with a stage II kit.

 

I'm no engine mechanic. But I find it hard to believe that HD would manufacture these upgrades to live in harmony with their stock engines, cover them with full warranty, all the while knowing that my new stage IV is a ticking time bomb.

 

I felt the same, seemed a slight loss at first throttle but increased and held it out longer rather than dying off after 3k like stock. Dyno looks good tho

 

yeah that's what I thought too. no way they would sell and support it if these kits weren't up to par. It would cost them a fortune in warranty repair costs, and ultimately **** off a ton of owners in the process. Ok, you talked me off the ledge. I am proceeding as scheduled. will report back later....

 

Well I got 230 miles on mine and it ain't blown up yet..

 

Ordered up one of Steve's cams?
Bob