Living up north, on what seems the far side of the moon, it’s hard to imagine these magical jewels. Just finished having the heads done on my Ironhead. They’re clean, but got nothing like the attention Mackie gave yours! Looking forward to seeing the rest as it progresses, but feeling a might bit jealous.
Mike..As always, a tremendous educational video! This type of "info" you dont normally get to see and learn about. We all appreciate your willingness to stop a second..back up.. and create a learning moment. . . . Thank You Sir's, for everyones efforts.
This comparison does a great job of showing how much work goes into the heads that Dave Mackie Engineering prepares. The improved flow is immediately apparent. Add to that the "mega-sphere" dish in the top of the piston to match the semi-hemispherical chamber the system provides and it is sweet indeed. Thanks again Mike!
Good morning Mr Pacific, lovely day we are having here today and with my cup of Joe, perfect way to start the morning. When people mention great artist, we automatically think of Van Gogh or Da Vinci but art is more than just a bunch of people staring at an inert object. In fact, Dave Mackie has proven that not only is his art beautiful to look at but it can physically be enjoyed. It's always the big names or fabricators that get all the credit when it comes to building a motorcycle but to me the real talent are the ones designing the parts that don't fascinate the everyday joe. Perfectly shaped heads with a matched squish, balanced and trued cranks with almost zero runout, bored and honed jugs with symmetrical deburred cross hatching to maintain film strength, clearance cam chests, perfectly tuned carbs and the list of behind the scenes jobs that wouldn't interest your average consumer but to me, this is where the real magic happens, not the guy who throws an already built 124 in a frame and says "look what I built". Not to take anything away from those fabricators as that is art in itself but it's the heartbeat that you hear, smell and feel when twisting that throttle. Have a great day day Mike and as always, please take care of yourself.
I for one have really enjoyed this tear down/rebuild. I was wondering about what the new valves were made of and if there was any special treatment, such as a 3 angle grind. Keep up the great videos!
Squash band? Squish band? - these babies come with their own orchestra pit & diner, true gas fired central eating! (Next week - Jim in orbit - "I told him not to kick it over straight-legged." . . . Have fun you three, love from England : )
Mike, Love, Love, love your channel! I love my'96 RK , as well. Please touch on the upgrades to the Evos more? Wanted a stroker kit but scared of the thought that the stock cases can crack. Motors are an option. Please keep them coming. Thanks. God Bless! Scotty
Never heard before the top end was designed by Porche. Very interesting. Anyone know for sure or have any links to such info? As always thanks for the videos, Mike!
Wow - Dave is good stuff. Got out early this morning; run out through pi town and around . 34 tooth pulley working great . I’m running 10 mph faster now at all times than previously. Speedo off 6mph odometer off 9 miles on 50 mi trip . I have dakota digital Speedo recalibrator to be hear tomorrow. I also picked up 3 mpg. Not bad cali gas going up . Many thanks fer the look at Dave’s magic 👍👌🙏✊🏻
Amazing improvement on air flow and compression dynamics. Will this improved performance shorten the life of the head compared to the stock heads and valves?
Moin Mike, thank you to show us this fine perfekt mashined Heads! What did you expect for gaining horse power an torque? I know, it's a difficult question ;-) But the most power is hidden in the heads :-)
I'm afraid I'm more of a "seat of the pants" kind of guy. You're right. The power is made in the heads. But, with the 4 5/8 stroke in this motor, it should fly. Maybe, at some point, we might put it on a dyno. But, I really don't care. Too much fun is "just enough."
@@pacificmike9501 You are right, if it feels good, it is right! So I' am shure, the bike will rip you the arms of and the rear tyre will beg for mercy, if you guys hit the throttel :-))) I`am just kidding ;-) normal riding wth some extra tork is the best.
That original 'stroker' piston wasn't getting close enough to head for quench/squish to work properly. Nice to see the valve keepers were lined up properly, it's the little seeming insignificant things that make a difference
@@pacificmike9501 Yes, indeed. Knuckleheads, Panheads and Shovelheads are all great engines (when assembled properly). Jim's Evo is becoming an entirely different beast! He's gonna be happy! Ride safe -- W
Gonna be sweet! Question, how do you go about seating rings on a rebuild? I’ve heard 100 different opinions...thanks! Mines going together this weekend...
Run the engine through several heat cycles. I don't know what engine you're using. It does differ. If it has cast iron cylinders, retorque after a couple of heat cycles. Aluminum cylinders, no retorquing. Retorque everything else. Ride it sweetly. Up and down the scale. Okay. What engine?
Okay. You don't retorque Evo heads. So just be sweet to her. Don't lug her. Don't wind her tight. Don't overload her. Up and down the scale, stop and go. Do not overheat. After a few hundred miles, take her up gradually. You can feel her breaking in. A 97 XL 1200 likes to go fast, but control yourself.
@@pacificmike9501 Yes it does! Lol Running a Mikuni HSR42 with a 30 tooth front pulley... Thanks bro! New tires and the weather has gotten right here in Mobile, Al! Time to get her back together! Thanks again! Be safe!
Hey Mikes and Jim! Very interesting to see the internal difference between the heads. I often wondered what people were talking about when "porting and polishing"... now I know! I spoke with you a while ago about a seatpost bushing, with a little "garage engineering" I think I came up with a suitable solution, time will tell! It involved turning down an oem bushing, thanks for the input! So yesterday I was changing the bearings in my swingarm, it's from a 79 fx. I had a swingarm from a '75 fl laying around and was comparing the two. I noticed the shock mounts were farther back on the fx, I guess to lower the bike more? I also noticed a lug on each bottom side of the fl arm, any idea what those are for? Checked the manual and couldn't tell. Thanks Mike, you're the best! Have a great day!
I don't know all of the differences on the swingarms. If you look in the parts books, there's quite a few of them. I know we modified a lot of them. My preference is the early "round" swingarms from 58-72.
I also like the earlier swingarm, thanks for the reply! Keep it up! By far the best channel! I feel like I'm talking to an old friend each time we correspond, THANKS a bunch!!!!
In fact, I guess we're kinda new friends with a common love of Harleys! Is there a way of sending you pics of my build? Assuming you would be interested in seeing them, your input has influenced a very great deal in my projects! Can't thank you enough!
Getting everything caught up. It's called "life." I'm wanting everything caught up, but, first things first. Jim is an old promise that has to be fulfilled. And, it's cool. I've been having a ball with this project. In the meantime, brackets for Sonia's sidecar, and fix my car. We'll get back on the Flathead soon.
Mike, I also just had the top end freshened up on my V96 Evo. Would you please comment, or show, how much cleaning you do to a nice worked-over top end before assembly? Thanks
yeah porche did design the head, and more on the evo engine, puzzels me why the Americans could not figgure it out by themselves, before that the Dutch had a head for the shovelhead engine that was a step between the shovelhead and the evo
Hi Mike. Thank you so much for your great videos!! Please forgive me for this off topic question. Any advice or resources on converting a ‘77 74ci to 80ci. Many thanks in advance!
Yes, The first one I did, was my own in about 1986 or 87. Bore cylinders from 3 7/16 to 3 1/2. Use 1978 or newer HD or aftermarket flywheel set (This is for a 4 1/4" stroke. Now, with all of the necessary parts and work required, it becomes 80 cu. in. Unless you already have the stuff you need, consider a 4 1/2" stroke which will cost you roughly the same and give you 84 cu in with a 3 7/16 bore, or 86 cu. in. with a 3 1/2 " bore.
@@pacificmike9501 Thank you Mike!! You are awesome! I already have cylinders for a 1979 80ci. Could I use these instead of boring out the 74ci cylinders?
This is all a "set" and belongs to Jim. In doing this operation, we replaced the heads, cylinders, pistons, and manifold. That way, there wouldn't be any more down time than necessary. Everything we removed is pretty much "pristine."
Hey mike love the vids I tried looking at Dave mackie engineering website they only seem to offer cams. I’m interested in the mega sphere setup you’re installing in Jim’s scooter. Any info on this would be great. Thanks mike
I actually emailed them thru their contact button on Monday still haven’t heard back from them. I’m actually starting to think maybe I have a wrong website. But I’m gonna give a call. Didn’t realize he was retired so thanks for that info
Hey mike finally got in touch with Dave mackie engineering and yup he’s not doing anymore machine work. Just cams. Looks like Jim got one of the last on his scooter. Thanks again
It’s ok he did give me Jeff McCoy and a phone number maybe he could help. Got a good video topic for you. “What’s the best aftermarket parts for Harley”. There’s so much stuff out there it’s hard to wade thru. Anyway thanks again have a great day mike
Mike! Sorry but my question is not related to this video. But I really need your help. I have a 1975 FLH and it keeps jumping out of first gear. I had the trans rebuilt about 2000 mile ago and then the bike sat for about 10 years. Is it possible that the ratchet lid is the problem? Before I buy a hole new trans I’d really like to know if I should take it apart and inspect the ratchet top. Thanks in advance Brian.
It's very possible something is wrong with the forks, or the lid or any one thing. Careful inspection with an open service manual should tell you everything you need to know.
It is't rocket science thankful when porting & polishing is explained . . I mean they didn't fine tune on the assembly line then . . now with CNC well yes
We got a pristine original pair and took them in to be done. That way, we avoided the down time. When we had everything ready, Jim brought the bike down and we did it.
And, when we built the stroker, everything in the lower end new, including flywheels, shafts, I-beam rods, pistons. All of it balanced to perfection. We weighed the pistons we've just changed to and the difference is less than miniscule.
Yes, those started life as stock Harley Davidson Heads. The lower end is still low mileage and has been well cared for and not abused. It is a 4 5/8 setup I had Paul Osborne at Truett and Osborne put together for me before I assembled it into Jim's original cases.
