| Author | Message | ||
     No_rice |
So, since my s1 is down from a broken valve guide on one head and bent valve on the other, im leaning towards throwing an xb topend on my bike. that being said, who has done what?! i was thinking 9 pistons in it, but am hearing that it might be very high compression(maybe 13-14?!), where as the 12 pistons would be more around 10 or 10.5 to 1 compression. i also havent eliminated the 1250 kit or something like that, with a set of xb or thunderstorm heads, but think the xb heads will probably perform even better then the thunderstorms..., plus some cams i would think... As much as the little voice tells me to build an 88 or 90" or something ridiculous for it, i would be wasting the money on this bike. i will never use that potential. this bike is to pretty, and if i wreck it, i simply can NOT replace half the pieces on it... BUT i do want to wake it up a decent amount... (Message edited by no_rice on June 16, 2016) | ||
| S1owner |
I will suggest talking with phelan he seams to have a vast knowledge in these upgrades! | ||
| No_rice |
Yes, we have been chatting on and off about a few things, but never hurts to ask the collective about things I may not have thought of! | ||
| Oopezoo |
I have no advice to contribute, but I am interested to see what the collective says. I've found a handful of threads on the subject from searching, but no definitive good advise on "best bang for the buck" comparing say......sending in stock non-thunderstorm heads to be worked versus buying used XB heads and sending those in instead. Do you end up with essentially the same thing, or even after the work, are the XB heads still superior? My preliminary plans for my S1 are reworked XB heads and a 1250 kit, but I'm equally parts cheap and patient. Plus, my bike is currently running great, so there is no urgency. | ||
| Buelliedan |
Best bang for the buck would be to get something like NRHS stage 2 headwork done to your heads ($800) and combine that with an NRHS 1250 kit ($700). The stage 2 headwork will give you new oversized stainless valves, heavy duty valve springs, new bronze valve guides and seals plus our legendary porting. http://nrhsperformance.com/headworkbuell.shtml http://nrhsperformance.com/ekitbuell1200.shtml This on average will give you about 15-20 more hp than your current stock set-up and should be more reliable than stock. XB heads are great but on average you will spend about $400 for a used set which most likley will need a valve job at a minimum which will set you back around another $200. XB compatible pistons which cost $300 for good forged ones plus bore and hone AND you will need a new front motor mount which cost $225+. With that you would still be making less hp than you would with your stock heads ported to stage 2. (Message edited by buelliedan on June 17, 2016) (Message edited by buelliedan on June 17, 2016) | ||
| Oopezoo |
That is an excellent post Dan.....thank you. | ||
| No_rice |
ive looked at the 1250 a few times, but the reason im looking at the xb swap is because i have a whole good xb top-end(everything from the case up including pistons) off of a decent mileage 12 i have, that had a bearing failure and damaged the case. so i would have basically everything to bolt on except motor mount. and maybe some different cams. and from what i saw, your 1250 kits were sold dependent on what head you have, so my understanding was for the 700 it was meant to bolt right under my stock xb heads if i was to go that route...? (Message edited by no_rice on June 17, 2016) | ||
| Phelan |
Yes. He has pistons for every type of Sportster head available, so choose your heads and then he will include the pistons that match those heads. | ||
| Buelliedan |
exactly what Phelan said. You will need to drill and tap breather holes into the XB heads also to use them on your S1 (Message edited by buelliedan on June 17, 2016) | ||
| No_rice |
yes, i was aware if i use the xb heads i will need to tap some holes for a carb mount. although i figured i could still use the rocker cover breathers for actual breathers(and not tap deep enough to actually make the holes breather holes) and eliminate the add on stuff its currently running for a breather with my air cleaner setup | ||
| Buelliedan |
you could just drill and tap the holes like normal and use non hollow bolts and get the same effect. | ||
| Buelliedan |
BTW, Depending on what cams you plan to use I have both a 10:1 and 10.5:1 pistons available for the 1250 kit for use with XB heads. (Message edited by buelliedan on June 17, 2016) | ||
| Ralph |
I liked my 88", but I'll never do it again. The amount of money and time just didn't make sense for the results. Don't get me wrong, it made crazy power. But that didn't make the bike better. Buells have a nice balance to start with. Adding a touch more power can be exciting but a bunch more really changes the bike. It takes away that sweet balance and makes the bike more challenging to ride well. It can be fun, but it can wear a guy out too. If it were me, I'd just put it back together after making the needed repairs and keep having fun with the bike. Your mileage may vary  | ||
| Harleyelf |
Installing the 1250 kit is less work than replacing the rings because Dan gaps the rings and assembles the pistons into the cylinders. It's a nice bump in power and a great bump in clean running. |
