Engine guys need your input: Working w/ maker of Rocker Lockers to make a R* version

[davej]

Looks good Doc, I think you will be happy with the results.

[Pauli466]

For anyone interested i was trying to figure out what the small oil lines going to the top end lubricated, turns out, nothing all they do is pressurize a small pocket of oil between the rocker box and the chrome cover, that it the oil can't even flow it just sits in that pocket with nowhere to escape, does anyone else see it this way

[Duke]

The pressurized oil goes to the rocker part of the heads, pushing oil to the intake valve springs, then the oil runs to the exhaust side to help cool the heads.
Push rods feed oil to the rocker arms, then runs to the rocker tips oiling the valve tops.

[Aussie John]

Just a thought, could the rocker shaft be rotated and a new grove be machined into it to accept the original bolt ???

[davej]

Yes it could but that is more work and expense than needed to lock it in place. The groove would have to also be cut smaller to fit the bolt tight and not sloppy like the OEM fit.The 1600's have a solid shaft and the 1700's have a hollow shaft so imo if I was gonna do it like that on a 1700 I would flip the shaft end for end so I didn't weaken the hollow shaft by having 2 groove cut into the same end.

[Shores]

Any update from Doc or Duke on their custom parts for this mod on a 1700 fuelie? Davej, does it matter which end of the rocker shaft you put your bolt through? I plan on doing this mod very soon.

[davej]

Steve, I did it on the push rod side. It has easier access to drill with nothing in the way. The other side it pretty tight in there to get a drill to it.

[Doc_V]

I'd go with Dave's method; it's what Harley finally ended up doing on the Milwaukee Eights and they tapped both ends.

[Shores]

I did Dave's mod today and it went well. Just make sure you have good quality American made drill bits. My brand new Chinese Cobalt bits wouldn't even finish one hole. My old worn out quality bits finished the remaining three holes. I drilled the hole first with a 1/8 inch bit and then followed that up with a 5/32 bit and then tapped it to 10-24. The rocker shaft is pretty hard so take your time and be steady so that you don't egg out the aluminum perch. That's why I started out with a smaller bit. Rather than stuffing rags in all the holes I tape off the entire area with duct tape and drilled through the duct tape for each hole. I put a nice deep punch mark where I wanted to drill before I installed the duct tape so that I could tell where to drill. I kept duct tape off of the end of the rocker shaft so I could make sure I was drilling my whole perpendicular. I drilled the holes on the right side of the heads on the pushrod side because there was more clearance there for the valve covers to go back on. I can't post photos from my phone so I'll try to do that later from my iPad. Tomorrow I'm busy doing other things but the next day I will reinstall the valve covers and see how everything works. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[Duke]

Looks like you did a really good job Steve. I'm sure it will work out for you.

[davej]

Glad to hear it all went well. Looking forward to seeing the pics.

[Shores]

“Like a surgeon....”
”Cutting for the very first time......”........Weird Al

[Doc_V]

Nice Job Steve. Did you drill completely through both sides of the shaft or just through to the center?

[Shores]

Nice Job Steve. Did you drill completely through both sides of the shaft or just through to the center?

I just drilled through one side of the hollow shaft. A 10-24x1/2” just protruded through the shaft wall about 1/8”. Perfect! Lots of oily shavings inside the shaft so I rotated rolled up paper towels through the shaft about six times to clean it all out. My shop vac wouldn’t get it out.

[davej]

nice Job Steve!!!! Have you started the bike yet?

[Shores]

nice Job Steve!!!! Have you started the bike yet?

No, I was busy yesterday and once the garage warms up I will check the Valve gap today, reinstall the valve covers, install new plugs and reinstall my fuel tank.

[Shores]

So I intentionally tapped the holes on the right side because there was more space there under the valve covers. But I didn’t see the reinforcing ribs on the underside of the covers. I had to grind the two ribs down on the rear cover because they were hitting the bolts. The front cover seemed to go on OK.

[davej]

Is that because you installed the bolts offset on the tower? I guess I got lucky when I installed mine on the top of the tower. Everything fit just fine with no other mods. Would a hex head bolt have fit better?

[Shores]

Probably yes to both of your questions. running between my computer and another I came in at an angle because I wanted to stay away from the stock bolt. I guess I should have measured more accurately.

[Shores]

Well I got the gas tank on and the new fuel sending unit works great. The upper end definitely sounds a little quieter. There is still that sucking sound from my large k&n intake filter and I can hear that typical lifter/valve tick Went and filled up with gas. Rode without my ear plugs and really enjoyed listening to the quiet engine. Stopped and put my earplugs back in and still more quiet than before...... until that bitch rear-ended me at a stoplight four blocks before I was able to get home. A single lane road, totally straight for 2 mi and she couldn't keep her shit together. These bikes must be extremely tough. she hit me so hard it knocked me over on the right side but so far the only damage appears to be the outer tail light lens and the rear fender buckled about a half inch between the saddle bag mounts. No damage to the tail light bezel, turning lights, mufflers. Not going to take it apart until the insurance looks at it. Hopefully the fender subframe isn't bent.

[roadiemort]

That sucks, typical though as the phone comes out before they stop to get maximum phone time while stopped.

[Duke]

I'm glad your ok Steve, and it wasn't any worse.
Make sure you check everything close.

[LDofDC]

Glad you are okay!

[davej]

That sucks but happy to hear you are OK. Also happy to hear that the bike is quieter. Mine was very noticeably quieter. I did mine at the end of the year and my test ride was about 5 miles in the cold as hell fall weather. I can't wait to get a good long ride to see if thing change when it is hot outside.

[NCB]

So what you guys have done, Is it just to quiet the motor or is there any other benefit?

[davej]

So what you guys have done, Is it just to quiet the motor or is there any other benefit?

It quiets the engine top end . This particular mod is for the 1700. Duke is working on a similar fix for the 1600's. The rocker shafts are a little different on the 1600's