I have just fitted some SE536s to the engine, wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

Slightly later opening intake and later opening exhaust with longer duration and more lift than the standard S1/X1/M2 cams ("Bolt In"). Less lift but longer duration than the XB cams ("Performance"), which means that the (XB) heads I have fitted will not need clearancing, which is one less thing to think about. In addition, the SE536s will be kinder to the (XB) valve train than the standard (XB) cams as the combined reduced lift and longer duration will lead to decreased component acceleration and hence less load, negating the need for posh springs. Means I can rev it higher too before bouncing the valves (more so as the XB springs and valves are lighter than those in the Thunderstorm and Lightning heads)

Just look at what is needed if you have older heads (clearly a job for someone that knows that they are doing )

http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Me ... J03649.pdf

Not clayed up the valve pockets to check valve to piston clearance yet - note the increased lift of the exhaust valve at TDC, as the piston chases it back, compared to the XB and standard S1/X1/M2 cams. That can be a job for when I have time to be patient and keep at it before the clay dries...

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08 Specialized Langster

Just getting back into this after spending some time with the Uly.

Cams are in, I said they were in before, but they weren't really. Checked clearances in the cam box, lobe 2 is quite close to the pinion bearing, but not enough to make me want to grind a chamfer.

At the back of my mind I wonder if I am going to regret this... But the instructions don't suggest I need to chamfer the lobe...

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08 Specialized Langster

How close is "close" Pash? mm? fag paper? gnat's tadger?

17 thou min for #2 and #3 compared to 43 thou on the standard cams... I would think that would be OK. Nothing in the HD instructions to warn you about it and nothing from those who have fitted the same cams.

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08 Specialized Langster

I clayed the valve pockets up today...



...hoofed the heads and rocker boxes on and turned the motor through two cycles... And splodge...



Then got my verynears out (ok for this sort of work)...



...and got the following measurements (the mins are guidance from NRHS):

Front Inlet Pocket Clearance 2mm (min 1.5mm)
Front Inlet Eyebrow Clearance 0.9mm (min 1.25mm)
Front Exh Pocket Clearance 2.2mm (min 2.25mm)
Front Exh Eyebrow Clearance 2.3mm (min 1.25mm)

Rear Inlet Pocket Clearance 1.7mm (min 1.5mm)
Rear Inlet Eyebrow Clearance 1.4mm (min 1.25mm)
Rear Exh Pocket Clearance 2.2mm (min 2.25mm)
Rear Exh Eyebrow Clearance 1.1mm (min 1.25mm)

Interesting that the measurements are different front and rear... All the dots are lined up on the cams and I ensured the tappets were bled down properly when putting the rocker boxes on, but of course, they will bleed down more as one cylinder sits with load on the valves whilst the other cylinder is having its rocker box fitted. The two cycles thing should allow the tappets to recover sufficiently.

Anyway, back to the garage with the old Dremel to take a lick off (good job I paid attention during Casualty)...



So, all set to put the top end back together and start assembling the bike...

Remember kids, don't try this at home, this is a grenade engine...

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08 Specialized Langster

A quick call to Agent Scully calrifies...

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08 Specialized Langster

I use 'modified' followers and adjustable push rods when taking these measurements.......you cannot rely on the standard hydraulic lifters to give accurate results

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Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR

I know you are right, but I think I have plenty of margin...

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08 Specialized Langster

Margin or not, we'll strike a happy medium...

Firstly, I'll crack open a box of Crane...


...then I will clay up, assemble then bleed the tappets right down with the adjustable pushrods (I don't have solid tappets nor spare ones to mod up), turn the engine over and measure again.

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08 Specialized Langster

.......strip your lifters, remove the valves and springs

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Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR

Interestingly, the XL tappets changed in 89, then 99 and haven't changed since...

Think I have a spare set...

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08 Specialized Langster

So, pulled a set of tappets apart (I included the adjustable pushrod for effect):



I left out the ball bearing, the small spring, the cap and the big spring and reassembled...

..then fitted the adjustable pushrods and set them so you could just about turn them with your fingers when the rockers were unloaded...



...then rotated the engine two cycles and have left the clay to dry out...

I don't plan to do a comparison to the measurements I made last time (can't anyway as I have cut the valve pockets away already), just to see if there is enough clearance...

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08 Specialized Langster

So, last time, I had these measurements:



And the new measurements with solid lifters (note that between measurements I enlarged the eyebrow clearance only):



Worth doing...

So, if I work to NRHS rule of thumb clearances, I am 0.45mm short on the front exhaust valve and 0.55mm on the rear exhaust valve... Time to get milling...

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08 Specialized Langster

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Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR

I am preparing to mill those exhaust valve pockets out, doing things that GM and mojomick can do in their sleep...

Bought a lump of ally off RDG tools...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370526432519? ... 1439.l2649

...then tonight, put some holes in it; one for the wrist pin and one for the "draw bar"...



...to enable me to pull it down onto a backing plate (with register) on my milling attachment on the lathe...

Next step is to visit to pick up my boring head...

This could all end in tears

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08 Specialized Langster