Ok, so I've been trying to decide on whether to do cams or not. I've done everything else I can do to the motor without cracking the cases but wasn't sure about doing the cams. Anyway, found a new set of N4's on ebay and bought them.

I should receive them in about 2 weeks (gotta come from US to Singapore) and will post a review once they are in. If I get the chance I'll do a dyno run before and after. I guess I will need to rejet a bit to suit the N4's - anyone have experience with jetting from stock cams to N4's on a HSR42?

Cheers,

Brett

My bike is at shop now. Having N4s installed along with HSR42, Crane HI-4E and cycle shack tapered slip ons. I planned to learn what I can from shop owner. I'll be happy to share what I can about jetting.

Didn't want to do the work myself because of lack of experience and time. The guy doing the work has an excellant rep.

I hope to have the bike by Thursday. I'd be surprised if you didn't get the info you need by then. But I plan on posting about motor and suspension upgrades this week..
Good Luck.
Pete

My bike is at shop now. Having N4s installed along with HSR42, Crane HI-4E and cycle shack tapered slip ons. I planned to learn what I can from shop owner. I'll be happy to share what I can about jetting.

Didn't want to do the work myself because of lack of experience and time. The guy doing the work has an excellant rep.

I hope to have the bike by Thursday. I'd be surprised if you didn't get the info you need by then. But I plan on posting about motor and suspension upgrades this week..
Good Luck.
Pete

Sounds similar to mine apart from the exhaust system. If you can, ask your indy how he set up the mikuni - # pilot jet, #main jet, # needle and clip position and # accelerator pump nozzle.

Cheers,

Brett

Brett,

I wish I could tell you you'll have gobs of power. Well hopefully you will, and so will I as soon as I figure out what's wrong with mine!

I installed N4's this winter and lost 7lbs of torque. But don't worry, I did it myself and have a probelm to solve. Can't wait to see how it turns out for you.

I'll be fitting the cams myself as well. If ytou figure out what you did wrong, let me know and I'll try to avoid doing the same.

Cheers,

Brett

I'll be following this thread and appreciate any/all info you can share on your experience. G'luck!

arjay

I installed N4's this winter and lost 7lbs of torque. But don't worry, I did it myself and have a probelm to solve. Can't wait to see how it turns out for you.

From the dyno chart's I've seen, you would expect to lose 7 lbs of torque in the lower rpm range compared to the W-grind that came in your 1200S.

Where in the rpm range did you lose the power? How does the power compare in the upper rpm range?

I'll be fitting the cams myself as well. If ytou figure out what you did wrong, let me know and I'll try to avoid doing the same.
I figured it out. I totally screwed up the jets in my carb. I has assumed that a 170 main was my stock jet, and I put in a 180. I'd had a 190 stock jet. I need a 195 or better...

Trout,
Here's the details: http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=25262
I'm not finished yet, but am hoping for high 70's, 80 with a little luck.

Sounds similar to mine apart from the exhaust system. If you can, ask your indy how he set up the mikuni - # pilot jet, #main jet, # needle and clip position and # accelerator pump nozzle.

Cheers,

Brett

I called the shop this morning. They are going to let me know how the Mikuni is jetted / adjusted and go over dyno results.

This upgrade started at HD dealer. Brought that to a halt in a hurry. I wasn't comfortable with their total lack of feedback. Just did pipes and CV jetting there.

Still looks good for riding it home Thursday.

I went to a set of N4's in my 1200R.

I anticipated doing a jetting change, but only had to move the needle down a notch and back out the mixture screw a bit to make the motor happy. This is with the factory CV carb with a Dynojet kit.

Not sure what you can expect to see on a Mikuni, but it probably won't be a drastic change...

From the dyno chart's I've seen, you would expect to lose 7 lbs of torque in the lower rpm range compared to the W-grind that came in your 1200S.

Where in the rpm range did you lose the power? How does the power compare in the upper rpm range?


We have had a lot of talk about cams lately and I thought I would plug some simple numbers into my Dyno2000 so I could kind of show the effects of cam changes. Obviously the numbers are not exact using this software. The engine specs (bore, stroke, intake, exhaust, compression, head flow, etc) are all the same, so the dyno sheet does a fairly decent job at showing the effect a cam has on performance.

EDIT: Stock cams is the Stock D grind cams.

http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/Cams_Comparison.jpg

I gained about 10 peak HP with the addition of N4's and a 2 into 1 exhaust. Jetting on the CV stayed about the same 45/185. Lost torque under 3k but that's the 2 int 1. The thing kicks butt 4k and up. I've been agonizing over the decision to go to the Mik or not. I've heard so many good comments about it, might be the thing to do.

I've already got a 2-1 fitted, and love it. The N4's should complete the picture.

I like the HSR42, but don't believe I got much HP gain from fitting it. But as everyone seems to say, throttle response is definitely better.

Cheers,

Brett

Cams are fitted.

In the end I got the local dealer to do it since my bike is still under warranty and I thought it better not to risk them refusing any future warranty claims. That in itself was interesting.

I had called them before getting them to do it and they indicated about 5 hours labour plus gaskets, etc. I spoke with the parts guy and checked price and availability of all the gaskets - about US$50. I figured 5 hours was a bit high but worth it to keep my warranty intact. Anyway, dropped off the bike, got a call the next day to come and pick it up in the afternoon. When I came to pick up the bike, the dealer tried to charge me about US$400 for fitting the cams.

Turns out they had removed the heads, changed the oil and spent a lot longer than should be necessary for a cam job. I complained. They insisted that they had to remove the heads to remove the lifters and that there is no way to change the cams without removing the lifters. I disagreed. They said they had done hundreds (a slight exxageration on their part since there aren't hundreds of sporties in Singapore in the first place, and many of them are running stock cams) the same way and nothing else they could do. I continued to complain and disagree.

Then I had a lucky break. There was a guy visiting from HD USA visiting Singapore at that very time. They asked him to come over and explain to me why they needed to remove the heads. He came over and started to tell me that they HAD to remove the rocker boxes to relieve the pressure on the pushrods/lifters in order to remove/fit the cams. I agreed. He then looked confused and said what's the issue then. I said I am perfectly aware that the rocker boxes need to be removed but they DON'T need to remove the heads. He immediately (and in front of the workshops guys) said I was correct, no need to remove the heads.

So, to cut what could be a longer story short, they reduced the bill by over US$150 to reflect 2 hours less labour, only the gaskets needed for a cam job (they had previously tried to bill me for a complete top-end gasket kit) and 2 quarts less Syn3.

So, anyone considering getting HD to fit cams - it would be a good idea to talk through with them in advance how they plan on doing it.

The cams themselves - great. The bike idles much better. I had read this previously but wasn't expecting it. It idles so well that I keep thinking I have the idle set too high. At about 850rpm it is smooth - very smooth.

It definitely pulls stronger at the top end, but also feels smooth in the mid range as well. I haven't yet tuned by carb, it is still running very rich. Even the workshops guys said that it would run better once I lean it out a bit. So far I like the N4's. Once the carb is properly set up it should run beautifully.

Cheers,

Brett

Had N4's installed two weeks ago. Smooth idle was a pleasant surprise. Idle set at 1000 rpm for oil flow. I was told the cams would come alive at 3000 rpm, but it really takes off at 4000. No disappointment. It's a rush! Very pleased with choice of N4's.

I've had a good chance to try the N4's now - went to Malaysia for quick trip yesterday - only about 150miles round trip.

I like them a lot. The smooth idle is still a pleasant surprise and above 3k rpm the bike comes alive. Below 3k rpm it does not seem have as much torque as before. I could comfortably cruise at 2.5k rpm and slowly wind it up from there. With the N4's it will cruise below 3k rpm but isn't really too happy. 3k rpm is a better crusing speed but anything over 4k rpm and it screams. Redline comes up far too quickly (and I have redline set at just over 7k rpm).

Now I just need to get the carb tuned and I'll be happy for now.

Cheers,

Brett

Brett,

Glad to hear it worked out pleasently. The dealer is full of crap. I don't know how much difference there is between the 04-later and pre 04 engines, but the heads did not have to come of my bike to get the cams in.

I did have to "remove" the rocker tops to take pressure off the pushrods/tappets so that the cam shafts could slide into place. "Remove", all I really did was loosen the bolts enough to give myself a little wiggle room under the rods/tappets.

Have fun!

Brett,

Glad to hear it worked out pleasently. The dealer is full of crap. I don't know how much difference there is between the 04-later and pre 04 engines, but the heads did not have to come of my bike to get the cams in.

I did have to "remove" the rocker tops to take pressure off the pushrods/tappets so that the cam shafts could slide into place. "Remove", all I really did was loosen the bolts enough to give myself a little wiggle room under the rods/tappets.

Have fun!

Agreed. In the end they did accept that and reduced the bill significantly but it did leave me feeling a bit upset and I wonder how many others have paid them too much for the same job.

Cheers,

Brett