When on the highway my bike tends to run a little high RPM wise around 70mph. Will a cam change help in this situation.

Cam recommendations, which is best as far as an "all around" performer?

 

No, cams do not lower the RPM. Cams change the powerband, they thange the timing charateristics of the engine. Some put the the powerband higher in the RPM band, some move it down.

If you want to change the RPM speed you need to change the gearing. IE: a larger rear pulley or a smaller front sprocket in the primary. You can also replace the 5 speed tranny with a 6 speed. The 6th gear will essentially be an overdrive gear for 70mph and above.

I know that running at 3500 or so RPM at 70 seems like it is reving high but your bike will run all day long at 70-80 and be fine.

 

I have a six speed on my 2010 Heritage. I'm not concerned about the RPM's hurting the motor, I just feel they are excessive in that they cause the motor to whine and vibrate. I want a smoother, quieter ride at 70mph.

If I were to change the pulley/sprocket after I changed out the cam(giving me more low end torque)that would do it, wouldn't it? The bike would run at lower RPM's throughout the entire range of gears, most importantly the 6 gear. The problem is what size sproket/pulley and which cam? I would just be guessing. Anyone have any experience with this?

 

lol if you want a smoother quieter ride...find something other than a Harley...lol... They do tend to be louder...

 

I get exactly that (a smooth, quiet ride) at anything below 60mph. When I get to 65 to 70mph the higher rpm's cause vibration.

 

It should smooth back out when you get above 80

 

Bulldog, you may want to check your motor mounts because you shouldn't be getting excessive vibation at 70 mph. You may want to post your sprocket and vibration questions in the engine section of the Tech forum where the engine builders and indies hang out.

 

do you have the same vibration say running in fourth gear at 3500 rpm? mine is smooth at that rpm. I run there for the most part no matter if on the interstate or back roads. I would think that running at too little rpm is not that good for a twincam motor. Really should not lug them down like an evo. I would suggest a RoadKing the rubber mounted motor is very smooth at all highway speeds

 

Your riding a Softail not a Touring bike. You have a counter balanced engine hard mounted into your frame. It wont hurt your bike to run all day long at 3500 -4000 rpm at 70 -85 mph but combined with rode vibration and engine your going to feel it more than on a rubber mounted Touring or Dyna.

I loved my fatboy but sustained high speed on the freeway and my hands would get a little buzz, not bad but there. On my Road Glide its vibrating at idle and smooth from 5mph to 120 moh all day because its designed to be that way, your softail is a ridged mounted engine that has counter balancers to smooth it out at lower rpms

 

Your stock drive pully is 32 teeth, dropping to a 30 or 31 tooth will increase lower end torque, but increase cruise RPMs. If you are not running a tach and have a stock bike 6th gear 70-75 will run around 2800-3000 rpm. Ride with ear plugs and keep the rpms up, your bike will run 150,000 miles at 3500rpm.