-74 seems slow????

tinkeringbelle · 04-17-2012, 12:11 AM

So about 2 weeks ago I bought a Harley Davidson 1974 (i think, have found several Id-ing numbers and they all lead to different dates, but the one on the engine days its a 74) anyhow, I have done a few things since I bought it and It seems to be running really well.... but I'm not happy with the pace of slow that it moves.

I have taken into consideration, It is ONLY a golf cart, so I guess it's not supposed to go real fast, and yet I am still stuck on the matter, what if? Or i guess a better place to start is, "Can it?"

If you have any info that would help ease my minds preoccupation on this please help. If im stuck at this speed fine It'll be accepted. however if i can do something please share.

***I have a really good manual, have re-placed the belt because the one that it came with was 2/16 too slim, lubed the AVC/ or flange, (however I think the old belt left a very small line where it sat could that effect the speed, can I resurface that?) the gov is off, the plug is correct, and after going through the treads i have decided to mix the gas to oil as 55:1.

Craigs carts · 04-17-2012, 11:01 AM

you should be getting 18 mph with the gov removed.

2a27t · 04-22-2012, 08:20 AM

Check the compression on it. It should be between 130-135. I milled the heads though. Also check the lower jug gasket. It might also need a set of rings. Another thing to check is the reeds in the intake manifold,and gasket- they might be worn or broken, and control the fuel. Running good, mine went 25-30 MPH.

tew45 · 04-22-2012, 04:29 PM

Stock config. the compression should read 90 to 100 PSI forward and reverse. Sometimes when there is some wear or new rings are installed reverse compression is a little faster. Craig is correct stock speed is 18 MPH. Fuel mix is 1.5 oz. oil per gallon as stated in the manual.

2a27t · 04-23-2012, 07:00 AM

Not to disagree, but ours was 130 PSI, and my friend I would race in his EZ Go had 120 PSI. We were 25-30 MPH.I pulled this up from your archives:

Quote:

Compression should be about 120 lbs factory specs (at wide open throttle, If you don't you'l get a lower reading) . Minimum to run is 90 to 100 lbs. The old test for rings....Take a reading then put a few drops of oil into the cylinder...If compression comes up...bad rings.piston/cylinder. The big problem is when you put new rings ect on you "Suck" the crank seals. A 2 cycle needs two things, ring compression and crankcase pressure "crankcase pressure "sucks" the gas/oil mixture (in your HD) drives your fuel pump diaphrams in your carb and thru the reed valves into the block,past the piston and cylinder ports into the combustion chamber. Unfortanitly the crank seals are only changable by "splitting" the case halves. A good test to see if your crank seals are bad...Does "choking" make it run better ? If you think it is the muffer, drill several 1/8 to 3/16 holes into the bottom of the muffler. If its better, buy a new muffler, If not weld up the holes. Good luck on your project.

Quote:

Once again.... a Harley 2 cycle engine compression should be 120 lbs (new) at wide open throttle in forward! The car can still run with as low as 80+ lbs ,but would have to choke alot to get it going.

Quote:

.A new top end would give you almost 120 lbs compression! Why would anyone take a compression reading in reverse ? I never found the need myself. It may run at 90 lbs, but not right ! I beleive Harleys had a 9:1 compression (except for very early 1970's "low compression heads" but it still doesn't justify that low of compression reading.

Here is the thread. It has some good info for you.http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/gas-h...reading-3.html Hope this helps.

tew45 · 04-23-2012, 08:01 AM

Been doing these things a while and will stand behind my statements! There is a reason behind the dual direction compression check but will not explain....no need just heed!

Craigs carts · 04-23-2012, 11:24 AM

never have I seen 130lbs on a harley motor.
I've done alot of these motors and always see 95-100lbs.

2a27t · 04-23-2012, 10:57 PM

It did not show up like that. Never seen stock at 30 MPH? Wasn't fsat enough, why I exchanged it for a fast snowmobile motor. Broke when I got THAT one too. True,the Harley is sitting for sale now, as pulled. Want to buy it? Drop it in. Everything is on it. I am a motor head from 8 years old. My twin original 1968 327's on my boat are all perfect-never a repair. My special ordered 1992 Caddie STS still has the original motor, with never a motor repair.(Everyone has to do maintenance-but for repair- never touched the motors on any of them for repair) I DO use Prolong Engine Treatment in everything I touch. Might be why I'm so lucky. I am NOT exaggerating.I pulled up the archives to help the OP, not for a P contest. My original Harley motor I still have, my wife called "Whiplash".Not with a smile. :( I do what I do for fun.

ckiguy · 04-25-2012, 12:17 AM

wheres my like button on here? i didnt even have 130 psi with a pluggged muffler. it was close to 105 to 110, but that was it! i dont even think the brass reed valve will hold that much. it just isnt desighn that way. but i have seen strange things at work that the experts say cant happen.......

2a27t · 04-25-2012, 10:30 AM

:D. I did change the air filter on it after I milled the heads, to a mini car one. It could also be the Prolong. I just checked the wife's 2001 Chevy, with 88K on it. Its been 2K since the last oil change, and the oil is still clean. I am adamant on oil changes on all my motors, and only use Sunoco or Mobile gas.I put the Prolong in my Onan Generator on the boat also, with no repairs on it ever. Otherwise, I thought my Harley was just normal.<shrug>

04-17-2012, 12:11 AM	#1
tinkeringbelle Not Yet Wild Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: reno nv Posts: 1	-74 seems slow???? So about 2 weeks ago I bought a Harley Davidson 1974 (i think, have found several Id-ing numbers and they all lead to different dates, but the one on the engine days its a 74) anyhow, I have done a few things since I bought it and It seems to be running really well.... but I'm not happy with the pace of slow that it moves. I have taken into consideration, It is ONLY a golf cart, so I guess it's not supposed to go real fast, and yet I am still stuck on the matter, what if? Or i guess a better place to start is, "Can it?" If you have any info that would help ease my minds preoccupation on this please help. If im stuck at this speed fine It'll be accepted. however if i can do something please share. ***I have a really good manual, have re-placed the belt because the one that it came with was 2/16 too slim, lubed the AVC/ or flange, (however I think the old belt left a very small line where it sat could that effect the speed, can I resurface that?) the gov is off, the plug is correct, and after going through the treads i have decided to mix the gas to oil as 55:1.

04-17-2012, 11:01 AM	#2
Craigs carts Gone Wild Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Milton Wi. Posts: 708	Re: -74 seems slow???? you should be getting 18 mph with the gov removed.

04-22-2012, 08:20 AM	#3
2a27t Not Yet Wild Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Finger Lakes NY Posts: 24	Re: -74 seems slow???? Check the compression on it. It should be between 130-135. I milled the heads though. Also check the lower jug gasket. It might also need a set of rings. Another thing to check is the reeds in the intake manifold,and gasket- they might be worn or broken, and control the fuel. Running good, mine went 25-30 MPH. Last edited by 2a27t; 04-22-2012 at 08:31 AM.. Reason: sp.

04-22-2012, 04:29 PM	#4
tew45 Gone Wild Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: North Texas Posts: 2,312	Re: -74 seems slow???? Stock config. the compression should read 90 to 100 PSI forward and reverse. Sometimes when there is some wear or new rings are installed reverse compression is a little faster. Craig is correct stock speed is 18 MPH. Fuel mix is 1.5 oz. oil per gallon as stated in the manual.

04-23-2012, 08:01 AM	#6
tew45 Gone Wild Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: North Texas Posts: 2,312	Re: -74 seems slow???? Been doing these things a while and will stand behind my statements! There is a reason behind the dual direction compression check but will not explain....no need just heed!

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04-23-2012, 11:24 AM	#7
Craigs carts Gone Wild Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Milton Wi. Posts: 708	Re: -74 seems slow???? never have I seen 130lbs on a harley motor. I've done alot of these motors and always see 95-100lbs.

04-23-2012, 10:57 PM	#8
2a27t Not Yet Wild Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Finger Lakes NY Posts: 24	Re: -74 seems slow???? It did not show up like that. Never seen stock at 30 MPH? Wasn't fsat enough, why I exchanged it for a fast snowmobile motor. Broke when I got THAT one too. True,the Harley is sitting for sale now, as pulled. Want to buy it? Drop it in. Everything is on it. I am a motor head from 8 years old. My twin original 1968 327's on my boat are all perfect-never a repair. My special ordered 1992 Caddie STS still has the original motor, with never a motor repair.(Everyone has to do maintenance-but for repair- never touched the motors on any of them for repair) I DO use Prolong Engine Treatment in everything I touch. Might be why I'm so lucky. I am NOT exaggerating.I pulled up the archives to help the OP, not for a P contest. My original Harley motor I still have, my wife called "Whiplash".Not with a smile. :( I do what I do for fun.

04-25-2012, 12:17 AM	#9
ckiguy Bad *** Speller! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 1,338	Re: -74 seems slow???? wheres my like button on here? i didnt even have 130 psi with a pluggged muffler. it was close to 105 to 110, but that was it! i dont even think the brass reed valve will hold that much. it just isnt desighn that way. but i have seen strange things at work that the experts say cant happen.......

04-25-2012, 10:30 AM	#10
2a27t Not Yet Wild Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Finger Lakes NY Posts: 24	Re: -74 seems slow???? :D. I did change the air filter on it after I milled the heads, to a mini car one. It could also be the Prolong. I just checked the wife's 2001 Chevy, with 88K on it. Its been 2K since the last oil change, and the oil is still clean. I am adamant on oil changes on all my motors, and only use Sunoco or Mobile gas.I put the Prolong in my Onan Generator on the boat also, with no repairs on it ever. Otherwise, I thought my Harley was just normal.<shrug>

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