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The4ork
Posted on Monday, September 21, 2009 - 04:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

are they an oem head? off of what? or are they aftermarket?

...looking at the 88" kit
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Ratbuell
Posted on Monday, September 21, 2009 - 04:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thunderstorm heads (the package included heads, cams, and different compression pistons as well as a lighter flywheel) debuted on the 1998 S1 White Lightning. 99-up Buells pretty much used them across the board. They are a factory head, and a VERY good performer. If you mate them with t-storm pistons, they are a bolt-on affair. Cams definitely help them breathe, too. The thunderstorm package is what gave the tubers their 101hp specification, though (up from the original 92hp, I believe, in the S1 and early S3s).

I have a thunderstorm top end (heads, pistons, and X1 cams) installed on my S2, which was initially "just" a Sportster motor. It still has the heavy flywheel, but even with that it makes good power. It's geared a little taller (belt sprockets) than my S1W so it's a little more relaxed as far as acceleration and RPMs (and heavier overall), but it's a great runner. My S1W has a factory light-flywheel Thunderstorm engine that I've never even opened up beyond the rockerboxes, and it flat out SCREAMS.

Some folks like the late-model 1200R sportster heads from...I want to say 2007? They do flow very well, but they don't have the breathers or carb mount boltholes tapped into the side so there's machine work involved. But it's a tossup as to which way you'd like to go - machinework, or new pistons?
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The4ork
Posted on Monday, September 21, 2009 - 06:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

the 88" kits run about a grand + case boring and heads...

cant find anywhere that sells the heads? are they different from the XB heads?
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Shot_gun
Posted on Monday, September 21, 2009 - 06:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yes they are different. They mount different in a tube frame buell also. When you get the 88" in your blast post some pics so we can see it.
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Ratbuell
Posted on Monday, September 21, 2009 - 10:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

You can still get Thunderstorm heads from any dealer. I don't have part numbers handy at home, but I can get them at work. For ease, though, get the stock replacement heads for a 1998 S1 White Lightning. Make sure to get them "complete" - that will include valves, guides, springs, seats, etc.

XB heads also flow very well, but require a different front mount to the bike. Totally forgot about that earlier, sorry.
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Easy_rider
Posted on Monday, September 21, 2009 - 10:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I believe the T-storms are only 2 horses lower than XBs stock, but the XBs have greater potential for gains with headwork. That being said, unless you're fighting for every horse you can get the thunderstorms may well be a better deal. If you keep your eye out here and on ebay you can find a set.
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Jramsey
Posted on Monday, September 21, 2009 - 10:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Part# 16797-98Y front head.

Part# 16827-98YB rear head.

Above #'s include valves, springs.
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Vecchio_lupo
Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 08:59 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'm glad this thread popped up, I'm new to Buell, I have a 99 S3T that the original owner made some very smart mods on. Race header/Can/ECM,power force intake. I too have seen Thunderstorm heads advertised and talked about, I was wondering if all thunderstorms had them or what? I was going to do some mods this winter, and head work came to mind, maybe I should leave well enough alone, or just try to lighten up the flywheel a little.

Any advice from the knowledgeable out there before I go down the wrong road?
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Brinnutz
Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 09:02 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

All 99-02 Tubers have Thunderstorm Heads, and the 98 S1W, stock.
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Jeffreyh
Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 10:22 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

"All 99-02 Tubers have Thunderstorm Heads, and the 98 S1W, stock."

And the 98 S3/S3T
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Jeffreyh
Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 10:37 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

"Some folks like the late-model 1200R sportster heads from...I want to say 2007?"

2004

"They do flow very well, but they don't have the breathers or carb mount bolt holes tapped into the side so there's machine work involved."

No, they already have the carb mount/breather holes.

See http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php? t=14000 for a description of all Evolution Sportster heads.
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Kyrocket
Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 10:54 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I have the light flywheel and it's still HEAVY. I didn't weigh them but if the bike ever blows up again I could always use them for an anchor. These are the first flywheels that I've ever had to take out, I couldn't imagine what the heavy ones weigh.
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The4ork
Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 02:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

engine mounting aside.... can you use the XB heads on the 88" kit? i woulnt mind getting a used set on ebay... i plan on getting them P&P as i know a personal friend of mine that runs his own P&P shop...
he thinks he can get oversized valves too

is there any way to tell if you have thunderstorm heads from stock older style ones?

my engine has some work done to it already but the PO didnt know crap about it
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Ratbuell
Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 02:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The part number will be stamped into the top of the head.

The fins on T-storm heads are not polished, the heads are all black. Standard heads are black with polished fins. Early standard heads are silver cast aluminum.
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Firebolt020283
Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 02:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

usually the t-storm heads are always black unless someone painted them another color. more than likely if they are gray they are prob not t-storm heads.
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Buell_bert
Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 06:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

2000 had silver jugs and 2001 had black ones but the heads on each were both black at least on my M2 Cyclones.
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Easy_rider
Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 07:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Vecchio,
The '99 has a lighter flywheel. To do the work to open the cases in order to lighten it further would be a lot of bucks for little gain. If it's power you're looking for, get some headwork done.
I won't guarantee that this is how all standard and Thunderstorm heads look, but I'm pretty sure the standards have fins across the top, T-storms don't.

Left side: T-Storm Right side: Std

Heads
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Phelan
Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 08:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Roger, the lightning fins didn't have fins across the top either. '96 S1s, '97 tubers, and '98 tubers (except S1W and S3T) had lightning Heads IIRC.
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The4ork
Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 11:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

mines a 96 S1 but the heads are not painted, but their not unfinished. theyre polished? ill have to check on the fins
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Ratbuell
Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 11:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The 3 layer sandwich on top is the rocker box set - think "valve cover". The head goes from the bottom of the rockerbox, to just under the exhaust header port. If you look closely, you can see the seam between head and cylinder.
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Buell_bert
Posted on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - 08:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

So are there any outwordly noticeable difference between them that really sticks out.
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Ratbuell
Posted on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - 09:17 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The standard Lightning heads are either silver, or black with polished fin edges.

Thunderstorm are all black, no polished lips.

Yes, people can paint them...but this is the easiest way to tell stock heads from stock heads. Shape is the same; external physical shapes are the same. It's all port work and valve angle/size.
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Oldog
Posted on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - 10:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Tstorms also have the word buell cast into them, as they are unique to buell,

I was under the impression that it was 2000 / 2001 all buells had tstrom heads.

If you deside to have work done to the tstorm heads

I recomend Cycle Rama reasonable prices, top quality work....
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Firebolt020283
Posted on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - 11:09 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

99 to 2002 (except blast) all buells had t-storm heads. 98 only the s1w and maybe the s3 (i am not sure on the s3) had them.
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Easy_rider
Posted on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - 07:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The '98 S3 had them with the heavier flywheel. Carbed as opposed to FI in '99.
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