80 c.i. ??

[lasso]

I've got a 1997 Ultra-Classic, FLHTCUI. with a Motor-Trike kit. Its got about 9,800 miles. I run 42 in the front and 32 in the back tires. Motor oil gets changed every 2500, primary and tranny along with motor every 5000. I did add a K&N air filter. A lot of interstate riding. My question is this. My top speed is 80 maybe 82. Is this normal? I know she is not a race-horse, but just curious.

 

[onebadeagle]

sounds about right for a 80C.I.

 

[lasso]

I kind of figured that. She does great, but I was just curious.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Try 36 in front and 24 in back!!!!! Right now I'm betting you feel every bump in the road!

 

[Phu Cat]

Lasso, My last HD before the Triglide was a 98 Ultra. If you feel good changing your oil at 2500 miles do that, but you could easily go longer especially with a lot of interstate driving where your oil gets hot and stays that way. Having our oil dehydrated is the best thing we can do for it.

Also, are you running synthetic or dino oil? With synthetics you can easily go way longer than 2500 miles if you so choose. I'm guessing you're also changing the oil filter each oil change too?

At 80-82 MPH your HD is humming right along and should be happy to run like that all day not hurting a thing. I set my cruise control at that speed, crank up the tunes and enjoy the scenery.

5000 miles is nothing for primary and tranny oil. But again, if it makes you feel better changing yours that often, do it. It's your bike.

Enjoy and ride safe. You are a Motorcycle Safety Foundation graduate, aren't you? (I've taken the experienced rider's course twice and learned a LOT both times!)

Phu Cat

 

[trikermutha]

I have a 96 ultra at the time had a stock engine with 2 wheels at the time..I could never get it past 85 MPH..So I would say it normal on a 80 CI engine..Thats if it was still all stock..

 

[pcombe]

I have and 80" evo on my trike its top speed is a might over 90 mph.
I installed an E27 cam for a little more umph other than that I left the engine alone.
I am of the school that the more you do to an engine the more you will have too.
I had 91,000 miles on my last engine (set up the same way) and I changed the oil just like your doing and never had any major engine concerns.

I also used an oil cooler all these years.
I was old school Harley before I bought my evo 25 years ago and just couldn't wrap my head around folks telling me I didn't need a cooler?
my old engine was still running great but developed a leak under the cylinder heads. I had planned to rebuild it due to age but found a brand new 80" engine for less than I could rebuild mine.

If the frequent oil changes gave me more life on an air cooled motor who is to say?:Shrug: I keep doing it because it gets my nut to do so.

Iffin it worked afore, why argey with it?

 

[2234ME]

I've got a 1997 Ultra-Classic, FLHTCUI. with a Motor-Trike kit. Its got about 9,800 miles. I run 42 in the front and 32 in the back tires. Motor oil gets changed every 2500, primary and tranny along with motor every 5000. I did add a K&N air filter. A lot of interstate riding. My question is this. My top speed is 80 maybe 82. Is this normal? I know she is not a race-horse, but just curious.

Hey Lasso I posted a thread about a month ago titled Sloooow dealing with the same issue you are having Got a lot of great feedback. I've come to the conclusion Trikes ain't bikes and I've got to learn to deal with it if I want to continue to ride.

 

[msocko3]

Hey Lasso I posted a thread about a month ago titled Sloooow dealing with the same issue you are having Got a lot of great feedback. I've come to the conclusion Trikes ain't bikes and I've got to learn to deal with it if I want to continue to ride.

:Agree: Only way to pep up a trike is $$$ spent on the power train, after all they're 3 wheeled land barges.

 

[Phu Cat]

Mutha, Your stock 80 cubic inch 96 Ultra would only do 85 MPH? Were you able to stay in it long enough to see if it could get past that? My stock 80 CI 88 FRXT hit its rev limiter which put it at 105 tho it was a little lighter but not enough to account for almost 20 MPH. Wonder what's up with that? Later I had a 91 Ultra that had trouble pulling 95 but I'd had my finger in it so it wasn't the bikes fault.

Phu Cat

 

[lasso]

Gentlemen (I use that term loosely), really appreciate all the comments. Its kind of what I fugured. She hurt my feelings over the weekend though. Friday rode over 300 miles in 90 degree weather, ran excellent. Saturday rode a little over 250 miles, on the way home about 100 miles away, she blew a head gasket on the rear cylinder. No big deal, got her home, got the parts. Tore her down per the factory service manual. Found one of the head bolts was loose. No warpage on the head or the jug. Heres is where I need a little advice. Cranked her up, at idle she purrs like a kitten, no problems, revs up fine. As soon as she's put in gear, let off the clutch, she sounds like a model T Ford. No power, it seems to come and go as you're riding, mostly gone. Changed the plugs. The rear plug fire seems to be weaker than the front. The front appears to have a better spark all the way around. Looking towards the ignition module or the crankshaft position sensor. No codes are tripped.

Any and all help is always appreciated.