I was out cleaning the bike and noticed what appears to be a weep at the Bae gaskets.
25K on my 2009 ElectraGlide. Currently a 96 with a Fulsac upgrade to the exhaust and a SERT already.
Fortunately I have ESP (Extended Warranty) and know they will cover the labor, gaskets etc. Fifty dollar deductible. I am not a speed demon on the bike. But right now I think the 103 is the best motor for the bike. Add the right cams to it and its great.
Should I consider doing the Stage II or Stage III upgrade??
I want to keep the bike reliable as we do make long trips with it.

 

the old sign in the hot rod shop said:

How Fast?
How Much?
How Long?

You get to pick 2...

It is a balancing act and if you want reliability, stage 1, maybe mild cams and matching head work is about it.

I have ridden 103's stock and stage 1 ( alot)
Compared to my 96, there is a slight increase in torque, once rolling no big diff--- for my style of riding it wasn't worth the extra cash. the biggest diff was going into 6th closer to 60 than 70 and having the motor stay happy.

and here is a question for the dealer ( and get the answer in writing) will the ESP still be in effect with the changes you describe.

so my 2¢ is keep your $2K

Mike

 

Exactly. And, as long as your labor costs are being picked up, it's a perfect time to upgrade.

 

I've got a little over 20,000 miles on the bike now, and put a 103" kit with the Andrews 26H Cams and Cometic Head gaskets on at about 12,000 miles. So that's about 8,000 miles with this set-up and I've been very pleased with the results. Also with this combination I've been able to get away without compression releases due to the dynamic CR that this combination delivers. If I'd used SE255 Cams that would have been a different story.

 

This past winter I went to a 103" build with Andrews 54H cams, .030 hg and mild head work and the bike runs great. In hindsight if I did it again I'd have spent a bit more $$ and went 107". That said, in your situation, staying with H-D/Scream'n Eagle parts will keep your dealer happy with regards to your ESP. Does your dealer do 15-20% sales? 103" flat tops/254E, 204 cams can be had for less than $400 this way. Maybe your dealer can bore-hone your stock cylinders and save you some $$ over new ones? I'd say go for it....

 

I have an 08 roadglide. last winter (10,000 miles ago) I bumped it up to a 103, bored the cylinders, port/polish the heads, SE pistons, Wood cams, etc. It makes 102hp/112tq at the rear wheel after 1000miles and a good tune.

It has better slow manners then it did as a 96, gets better gas milage, is a whole lot faster, runs cooler, sounds better and did I say its pretty quick?

Its also a better touring bike then it was a a 96.

Cost me $1,500 as I did all the teardown/assembly work myself.

I am not a hotrodder either but what a difference!

I would recomend to anyone with a 96 to bump it up, I love it!

Varooom

 

I've had the 103 Stage II on a previous bike. I'll probably bump mine up at some point. I'm pretty happy with the 96 right now, but you could always use a little more.

 

My 2010 Street Glide went stage II 103 at 1650 miles. The 92 hp and 106 tq made the bike a much better ride.

 

I'm doing the stage II upgrade. Also sending out an extra set of low mile take off heads for Manual Compression Release plugs.

If you are sliding in under the ESP work, a stage I would be the lowest cost.

 

07 ultra with 103 stage two, 255 cams. Right at 100 HP and 110 tq. Running Rush pipes. Wanted to stay with duels but wanted performance. I am using torque cones and a 2 1/4 in. Baffle on the right and a 1 3/4 on the left. Using the Screamin eagle tune. Big breather. Manual releases. Love it. Even though the newer bikes run good with their gears I still stay ahead of them with their stage one kits. Sounds awesome. Defenatly feel it in the seat. Do it.