I'm amazed at the prices that some of the builders around the country are charging for a race head. What are these builders doing to justify $1700? I had larger valves installed in my EX and had it ported for ALOT less than $1700. Is there something special about the Bombardier head that requires expensive tools or what? Is it the supply and demand thing? I know that you don't want a shade tree builder hacking on your motor but I know there are alot of drag bike/stock car builders around my area that build fast bikes/cars. I might be able to digest the price a little better if I knew that a NASCAR or NHRA builder was doing the work but still $1700 sounds steep for a single cylinder motor. What gives?

JMiller

 

You're absolutely right about the pricing issue, simple supply & demand law. Take a good look at Eric Gorr's Forward Motion for the race head, you should be able to cut that price in half.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I pay the price my builder requires to do the R&D and stay in business at the same time. If you feel its to high just go to another builder.

 

there must be a reason the cheap guys keep going out of business. if it helps the race head makes a big difference.

 

The lowest price is not always best in the long run.

 

I'm not trying to be cheap here guys. I'm trying to find out why port and large valve jobs cost so much for these DS's as compared to other quad manufactures. My guess is that there are NOT alot of builders doing DS mods therefore the one's that are, are making a fortunes.

JMiller

 

I helped my engine builder do the bigger valves on my motor. I am here to testify that it took MANY hours to cut out the seats and install new seats, then to cut the valves.....Then port...... Well, lets just say he is not going to do another race head! The valves are not straight up and down like on other motors. The valves are angled in at two different angles, which complicates everything. I would say that it would be alost ipossible to do a DS head with out a GOOD MILL!

He did do a valve job and port on another DS head, and said that he might do more of them. But would not do the larger valves.

DuneDevil

 

There are two people that I would trust to do my race head (If I felt I needed to buy one) that would be Ron Wood Racing or TVI. There is one other guy that may have something shortly, but currently does not that I may also trust.

Marky

 

A cylinder head actually looks pretty simple until it is disassembled and total reconstruction begins. When new seats and big valves are put in keeping the valve stem tip at the right location becomes a very drawn out process. If its too high or low you run out of shim. I think shim options cover about .030? Thats not much room for error. Installed height and seat pressure and oh yea the keeper groove must be in proportion with the tip so that seat pressure can be obtained. If the groove is too low pressure is too high and the retainer wont clear the top of the valve guide on big cams. Then there is guide clearance, open spring pressure, valve margin, single or triple keeper grooves, etc, etc. O yea and hopefully the shop you pick actually knows how to make power with porting and a good valve job!!

I got into all this crap when I ordered a set of valves for my bike. It took 6 weeks and ALOT of long distance phone time just to get the valves right. I say a good cylinder head man is worth every penny. Im sending mine off this week.


MrHorsepower

 

Hes the other person! - Good timing Eric.