Common Engine Mods

[Sortarican]

So I've rebuilt motorcycle engines and hot rodded auto engines, but I've never really done performance upgrades to a motorcycle engine besides bore jobs.

So are the same sort of internal upgrades applicable between the two?
Three angle valve job.
Intake and head porting/polishing.
Edged and balanced crankshaft.
Upgrading piston, rods, and crank to forged/shot-peened/cryo.
Enlarged valves and pistons.
Agressive cam timing.

What have you guys done and what's the biggest payoff you've seen.

[Devaclis]

Honda stickers. Just put 2 on the Hawk, that's why I passed you last night.

What about removing the stock airbox and using a CAI or UNI-Pods?

[rybo]

I know they aren't all engine mods, but the biggest gains I've seen from modding bikes:

1, Suspension- having the bike feel good and being comfortable on it makes all the difference in the world. A well set up bike is a sure winner and this (IMHO) is the FIRST thing you should be changing/adjusting

2. Wheels- Lightweight wheels provide every possible advantage. Better acceleration, braking and turning, less unsprung weight etc.

In the engine: One bad thing about engine mods is that they often decrease reliability. Jetting is the first place to start. Get it just right and the bike is very happy. Second choice for me- lighten/balance crankshaft. All of the mods you mention are worthy, but for the most part they are expensive and time consuming for the amount of power gained. Money is much better spent on taking a good riding course as it will improve the performance of EVERY bike you ride.

Scott

[Sortarican]

Honda stickers. Just put 2 on the Hawk, that's why I passed you last night.

What about removing the stock airbox and using a CAI or UNI-Pods?

Hey dickweed, this is for your track bike too so quite post whoring!:)

But good second point, the breath of life.
(Probably going to go with the pod people on the CBR.
Cheap, light, and easy.....much like my 3rd wife.)

[konichd]

Mill the head, thin gasket :)

I ride a Kawi so there's no room to improve upon perfection.

[Sortarican]

I know they aren't all engine mods, but the biggest gains I've seen from modding bikes:.....Scott

OK Scott....did I ask about suspension or riding skill improvements?
NO!!!!!
(Sheesh, Do I have to call the Admin's on ya'll, you guys need to learn how to stay on topic.):scream1:

J/K Scott:up:, true and true on your comments.

Increased engine performance is for not without the skills to take advantage it.
And pure horsepower could probably be detrimental in the wrong hands.

Have you ever ported and polished the intake and heads?
Shouldn't be much risk to reliability on that.

And +1 on the crank, rotational mass and all that.

[mclarke]

Mill the head, thin gasket :)

I ride a Kawi so there's no room to improve upon perfection.

lol:turtle:

[Canuck]

No major engine mods needed. Just stick to fine tuning the rider. That will be the best performance upgrade you can ever ask for. ;)

[cornhuskxr]

Honda stickers. Just put 2 on the Hawk, that's why I passed you last night.


your honda will go even faster if you throw some Suzuki stickers on it!!!:hump:
and less people will make fun of you!! lol

[Nick_Ninja]

Call Ron at HO Motorsports. He knows mc engines and could steer you in the right direction.

H O Motorsports

(303) 447-8845 | 2516 49th St Boulder, CO 80301

[Sortarican]

Mill the head, thin gasket :)
I ride a Kawi so there's no room to improve upon perfection.

Damn DK, if you were Roman Catholic you'd be out car bombing Protestants wouldn't you?
(All hail His Holyness The Pope Of Kawi.)
Yeah, shaving the head or just thinning the gasket can bring compression and hp up, and is one of the easiest (also cheapest) hotroding techniques.
But it does hit on Scotts point of reliability. Done without upgrades to the lower end and you can shell a motor quick.


No major engine mods needed. Just stick to fine tuning the rider. That will be the best performance upgrade you can ever ask for. ;)

So if I improve my riding skills enough I don't even need an engine?
Good to know.
Riding Skill Improvement = 1 area improved. (Agreed, probably the largest and best area for improvement.)
But:
Riding Skill + Suspension Improvements = 2 areas improved.
Ergo:
Riding Skill + Suspension Improvements + Engine Improvements = Buttload of improvement.



Call Ron at HO Motorsports. He knows mc engines and could steer you in the right direction.
H O Motorsports
(303) 447-8845 | 2516 49th St Boulder, CO 80301

Coolies Jeff, thanks for the info.