| "How to get more power" is one of the most | | | | the month. I've found the best deals on slip-on mufflers |
| frequently asked question received about improving | | | | on Ebay that were sometimes less than HALF of |
| the performance of your Harley motorcycle. Some | | | | what the item would cost new. To read more on other |
| people are looking for more "get up and go" from their | | | | exhaust systems check out the Harley Performance |
| stock engines, while others are looking for higher dyno | | | | Exhaust page.Rejetted carburetor or remapped EFI. |
| numbers.For those who have a stock or mildly | | | | Once your engine is breathing it's going to need to do |
| modified Harley engine the answer is to move up to | | | | a better job at providing a stable fuel mixture. Your |
| the next "stage"... or a Stage 1 kit to be more exact. | | | | carburetor or EFI will need to be corrected to |
| Before dragging out the catalogs and bolting on every | | | | compensate for how differently the engine now |
| gizmo claiming to make your ride go faster, let's start | | | | breaths. On carbureted models this means rejetting. |
| with the basics of a Stage 1 upgrade.You've probably | | | | This is a simple operation that is explained in detail |
| heard terms such as Stage 1, Stage 2, etc. Now | | | | under Harley Carb Jetting. Various kits are available to |
| depending on who you ask, a Stage 1 upgrade could | | | | recalibrate the carburetor including those offered by |
| be anything from an exhaust upgrade to a new | | | | Dynojet, Yost, and the Stage 1 Carb Kit. EFI models |
| carburetor. I'm going to base the term "Stage 1" on | | | | are another story. Fuel injected models use a |
| what the motor company typically terms for this | | | | programmed map to regulate how much fuel is to be |
| upgrade. With that said, a Stage 1 upgrade consists of | | | | delivered. Since you have changed the way the engine |
| the following: 1. Free breathing air cleaner.2. Free | | | | breaths, those instructions may not supply the proper |
| breathing exhaust.3. Rejetted carburetor or remapped | | | | stable fuel mixture under all conditions. Granted your |
| EFI.4. Upgraded ignition (if require*).There is probably no | | | | bike will still run, but the only way you are going to get |
| greater beginning upgrade you can make than Stage | | | | the most out of your EFI bike is to have it remapped |
| One, which consists entirely of bolt-on parts. If you | | | | by a qualified shop. There are simple ways to do this |
| want you can take this upgrade one step at a time | | | | yourself using devices like the Power Commander or |
| however, I recommend going in the order listed above | | | | SE Race Tuners kit.Upgraded ignition*. I placed a "*" |
| if not all at once.Free breathing air cleaner. This is the | | | | next to this last item because under certain |
| simplest upgrade to perform for most Harley owners. | | | | circumstances you can go without this upgrade and still |
| Depending on your budget this ranges from changing | | | | accomplish a Stage 1 upgrade. Particularly with Twin |
| the air cleaner to a K&N or other element, to installing | | | | Cam models, which already use a single fire ignition. |
| higher end air cleaner assemblies like Forcewinders | | | | Aftermarket TC88 ignitions offer higher rev limits and |
| and Hyperchargers. At minimum you need to let your | | | | altered advance curves but unless you plan on hitting |
| engine breath by changing the stock air cleaner. You | | | | 6200 RPM (you shouldn't anyway!) then stock is just |
| don't have to spend a fortune but pick something that | | | | fine. Evo engines and earlier models have Dual-fire |
| fits your bike well. If your plan is to keep the look of | | | | ignitions and can really benefit from the single-fire |
| your current cover assembly go with Screamin' Eagle | | | | upgrade. Dynatek's very popular DYNA 2000 ignition |
| or Arlen Ness "Big Sucker" assemblies. These allow | | | | was previously reviewed and is an excellent |
| you to use your stock cover but the difference over | | | | performance upgrade for pre-1999 Evo engines.That's |
| stock is amazing.Free breathing exhaust. As with the | | | | really the core to performing a Stage 1 upgrade. The |
| air cleaner this upgrade can be simple or extreme. | | | | next step is Stage 2 which includes installing a |
| Many choose to keep their stock pipes and go with | | | | performance cam, and Stage 3 (and 4 and beyond) |
| slip-on mufflers. These are easy to install, maintains a | | | | include upgrading your heads, big bore cylinders, and |
| stock look, and adds plenty of performance. Popular | | | | stroker kits. Before tearing down your engine or |
| slip-on models include HD Screamin' Eagle II, Cycle | | | | spending your hard earned cash on modifications, try |
| Shack, Bubs, and Khrome Werks to name a few. My | | | | your own Stage 1 upgrade as described. You may be |
| favorites are the ones from Khrome Werks and | | | | surprised just how much power is lurking within your |
| Python, but the others are just as good. If your budget | | | | stock Harley engine.Enjoy the Ride! Ken Mendelson is |
| is slim (join the club) then try buying used like on Ebay. | | | | the author of many articles on Harley-Davidson |
| There you will find many models from people who are | | | | motorcycles and performance tuning. In addition, Ken |
| upgrading to full exhaust systems or another flavor of | | | | runs the popular Harley web site Harley-Performance. |