Going to a big bore kit in November. Will be doing the "Minton Big Bore " mod as described in the American Rider magazine. This mod requires the Andrews TW21 cam which is very mild and designed to provide additional torque for two up riding. Not looking for anything more than that. Money isn't an object so would going to a gear drive be overkill? What are the pro's and con's of the gear drive? Opinions?
Thanks,
Gary

 

LOL...(glad to see you revived this subject)

Anyway,

I just did a 98" kit on my bike, here's the thread....

https://www.hdforums.com/m_104647/tm.htm

I would do it again.

I didn't see the article that was referred to, but, I would recommend it. It will hit your gas mileage though, something to think about.

Mac

 

Going to a gear drive is never overkill. The benefits of going are that there is no concern about cam chain tensioners wearing out prematurely and coming apart and clogging up your oil pump pickup and loosing your motor from lack of lubrication.(and it happens)
You may have a bit of a whine from the gears if not set up properly but the advantages of gear dirve are worth every penny paid in peace of mind. IMO

This will give you a better idea of the gear drive setup https://www.hdforums.com/m_87426/tm.htm

 

gear drivin cams are a very good thing!!

 

Stop it TC! You're making sweat run down my face. Sounds like good advice that I will take. Thanks to Mac also, and can you tell me what cams you used in your setup Mac. The Andrews cams sounds like what I'm looking for but I don't want to cheat myself.

Gary

 

I had the Andrews gear drive "torquer" cams put in and they really beefed up the low end. And, I can now run at 1,800 rpm on the level. Passing on the highway is really nice too; no need to downshift most of the time.

The only complaint I have is that at 2,300-2,500 rpm (58-60 mph in 5th) I get a clicking push rod "like" sound. I'm not sure that is what it is. If anyone has had the same experience, I'd like to know what it is. Next time I'm at the shop, I'll have them check the push rod adjustments. Oh, by the way, my cams bearly whine. I have to put my ear close to the engine to hear them. Rather spendy, but worth the peace of mind.

 

My bike has the Andrews 37g Cams...I'm very pleased, S&S gears...

Let us know what you decide.

Mac

 

[quote]ORIGINAL: ch1ef

I had the Andrews gear drive "torquer" cams put in and they really beefed up the low end. And, I can now run at 1,800 rpm on the level. Passing on the highway is really nice too; no need to downshift most of the time.

Which cam do you have ch1ef? I'm thinking tw21 but the guy doing the work wants me to consider the Andrews TW26. I trust this guy. I've never known him to exaggerate. He says he installed the 26 cam (plus big bore) in a Glide and it would lift the front wheel and got just over 50 mpg. This is hard to believe but the guy has always seemed a straight shooter. Do you have one of these cams?
Gary

 

Sorry about that (quote) deal.
Gary

 

gear drive=good thing. Had the chains replaced in my Dyna @ 25000 miles for fear of tensioner failure. You can hear em whine just ever so slightly when idling but other than that, no more noise than chains, which(besides cost) is the main reason Harley stuck with the chain drive.(epa noise drive by standards)