My favorite term I use in engine building is " just because you can doesn't mean you should"

Very well said Kevin, couldn't have explained it better. Yes, I understood everything you explained - this is why back in the 90's I conquered all other dragbikes! Played with valve overlap (staggered) until it produced the best power for my engine. Ran 8.64's back then. Cheers.

Absolutely a great and direct video. I can't tell you how many customers drop in wanting a cam their buddy has due to a Dyno sheets max numbers at WOT and 6500 RPM. I suggest they ride their buddies bike for 100 miles and be honest about what they feel. They usually come back and tell me their stock bike was actually more enjoyable than the "tricked out" one with the exception of a WOT sprint. I then begin to discuss a realistic cam choice for their engine and bike combination and their realistic riding style.

Great video Kevin,, this has to be the best explanation of what a cam is and how it works and why, hands down outstanding work lad. If this is the basics, I've got some studying to do before the intermediate lesson.

Been building and repairing engines of all kinds for over 20 years and I learned several things about choosing cams my old school teachers may have tried to teach me but didn't sink in. Thanks Kevin I appreciate it very much

The magical world of bump sticks. Excellent video.

This is the very best explanation of how cam shafts work. The diagram really helped explain a lot to. Great video mate. Thank you. 👌

That was a great refresher. I remember geeking out over stuff like that in Hot Rod, Chevy High Performance, and Car Craft when I was a kid, but I had forgotten some of those details. So this was a good watch, since I've been looking at cams for my old Evo.

2018 FLTRU with 74,000kms. on it. Went with a SE Power Cam. Works great for me as I do 99.9% of my riding on the highway. Also SE 4" slips ons and an upgraded oil pump, after market airflow. It's awesome on the highway, anything above 3000 rpm it takes off like crazy.

great schooling on cams and cam selection.i bought a new roadking in 2002 still have it.it ran like a slug, it always felt like it was chocking. I put an air filter and backing plate, Harley freeflow mufflers all screaming eagle and a dealership download still not as ballsy as my 1977 shovelhead. then on to a stage 2, 95"kit 203 cams, and a download.very disappointed in the performance. years later I put a fueling cam (525) lift, oil pump, cam plate, gear-driven cams, lifters. adjustable pushrods and, and a Daytona twin-tec 2 tuner. now it runs as it should, I downloaded the tune myself. my point here is if I had seen your video 10 years ago I would have saved some $$ and aggravation, never too late to learn even at 65 yr old. thank you, keep the info coming!

Great video Kevin, lots of great info. Thanks for taking the time to share. Cheers

With the almost infinite number of cams available choosing the right one, or two for twin cams can be overwhelming. I usually just ask where do you want your power to kick in and go from there. Fortunately most of the manufacturers are good at giving a fair description of how their different cams perform at different rpm ranges. As for which manufacturer to go with sometimes that just comes down to personal preference and past experience.

Kevin, as a mechanic (autos) for close to 40 years, I love your videos. Always learn something. Always believed in synthetics, after your video switched to Amsoil. This is another good one! Choose the cam for your riding style! Not your buddy’s Dyno printout!

The more that I learn the more I know that I don't know. I have a year before I have the bike payed off anyway. Thanks for sharing. I kind of understood.

Great information Kevin. I am getting a better understanding of the overall importance of the collective relationship between all the other working components along with the cams for my V-Twin. Thanks again. Great content.

This is a dominating topic on so many forums. Most look at peak numbers and how it sounds at idle and end up unhappy with the results. I'll be the first to admit. I almost made the wrong decision when choosing a cam. Thankfully I had someone who asked me all the right questions before I spent hundreds of dollars on the incorrect parts. People, please trust the advice of professionals like Kevin Baxter and get it done right the first time.

Thank you very much Kevin for explaining all this details of Harley Davidson engine and all other (where should you pay attention with the upgrade's). Lucky or unluckly I brought the bike and I've noticed the modifications later. So, I discovered Inside the engine (cvo 110 cui, 2012) some S&S 570 cams. Now I'm riding like the former owner wanted....medium/high rpm range with 30-35 mpg... Keep up the good work! Greetings from Romania!

I have a '19 ultra and did an SE Torque Cam as soon as i bought it for a 7k mile trip out west. I've been very pleased with it. I've since replaced my oil pump and cam plate (for piece of mind) with an s&s because of the HD oil pump issues but left the SE cam in because honestly its pretty damn good. I know people will have an issue with that but i have TONS of torque with the SE cam and i really dont need any more performance out of my 114 highway cruiser!

Hey man keep your knowledge coming. Next year after this abnormal time in our lives. Going to ride down to Georgia and see if you’re still up and going. Your explanation’s of a working HD Motors’s are very much appreciated.

My head is spinning, but this was a very informative video. Thanks.

Great video, S&S 475G helps power my 2018 streetglide 114 big bore stage 4

At a suggestion from a knowledgeable individual I met in Laughlin I bought and put in Crusher 375’s. They’re in a 2016 Wethead,

I'm more confused, then before I watched your video.

Awesome job explaining this really helpful

I love your shows. They have clarified a lot of issues and giving me a good base of knowledge that over the past several years has been an issue. My bike was built at A Harley shop. SE 536 lift cam ( without a map available ). SE 10.50.1 high comp piston. Not sure what compression ratio is. Heads done JPsrcision Racing out of Quebec Canada. So a dyno to get it going and broke in from pro racing tunner . Coil some accell high whatever coil. So anyhow I cannot still believe they said it was tunned 3 Dynos by the end and the last one was like 6 hours using up to 6500 rpm they set no revlimiter .all through 2000 rpm the be tables were over a 100 and like 92 starting at 20 percent throttle , just bogged there explanation was well it's a mid to high rpm cam. I'm saying catalog reads from like 2000 or 2500 rpm. Anyways found the timing was way of in some areas like 1/1 the timing cleaned up the fuel. Now got an aei wide band 02 censor and gauge don't keep it on just for setting to read I don't have faith in the Harley tables. So lots of timing change and some fuel. At this point I'm surprised it is much what I was looking for. Before I had to wring the power out with rpm. And it did not seem to like sitting at any rpm lower timing more accurate fuel by the way 12.7 I figure they run it at 13 from idle all through to 25 percent throttle and then it dropped to 14.7 did not make sense to me so anywhere I'm outside of cruise 12.7 till wide open . Simplified for me and I cannot describe the difference in the ride. Alot of my achievement with this was guided n directed by your. videos.

I just got a 2020 Road King Special and am sold on the S&S 475C. Appreciated your in depth wisdom on this video. Subbed :)

As usual, Epic information Kevin. So appreciated! I am slowly upgrading my 2011 96 inch. I will finish Stage One, once my D&D 2 into 1 pipes arrive (caught in this Covid supply chain mess). I've already added a ThunderMax tuner to make sure each modification is properly supported. I had my crank runout checked before adding the Dark Horse Motor Sprocket (what a engine changer that was); But I did not check the cam side runout. I will check it before adding cams. I am just starting the cam education process. I can not see myself going any further that cams..... Passed that I would just consider a new bike..... Quite frankly, I don't think I will need more power or torque after cams. My riding style is "ride it like you stole it". I like fast acceleration up to the traffic speed.... But passed that I just cruise. If I tap into your expertise after more education on my part, I will buy the parts from you. Thanks again for this great video.

For these M8 Harley’s the new June 2020 Wood performance 22-xe cam is unreal!

I told someone once.. If there was a book on all the intricacies of engine theory and assembly, “Camshafts” wouldn’t be a chapter in that book.. it would be the sequel to the book..

All your videos are excellent Kevin,I can't wait till the next one 😎, been wanting the Zippers 468, bye the way I think you have cam intake & exhaust open & close wrong on your graph,great content just watched the 107" TC build

Actual info begins at 3:00 and then at least for me, by the end of the video, my brain is like scrambled eggs. I think I will invest in a Zero Electric Motorcycle.

Cam examples would of been nice. Great info as always

another great video Kevin, what would you look for in a boosted application? how would you correctly choose a Turbo/ Supercharger camshaft? im guessing that intake velocities and filling the cylinders would be less of a thing.. but thats only me guessing. Id love to see some content on boosted applications for example a twin cam 96" ;-) is it ok to go to 107 with boost? safer to leave at 96" as theres more gasket?, many boosted bikes out there nowadays. . anyway thanks again for the great videos and hello from Down under 🙂

Wait, that was the basic overview? I'll definitely need to watch this a few times to absorb it. Thanks for the great info. I wish I lived closer to your shop.

Dude can I just get you to sell me the cam I need 🤣 🤣. I know a lot about engines but not gone down the rabbit hole of everything you just said. Made my head hurt. I give you money, you give me cam

When I made changes to my 2010 Heritage, I was going for the 103 kit. The dealer told me a larger cam would run best with the tuner (orange one) I had. I also have the SE air box and American Custom Exhaust slip ons that are stock but have been changed inside to almost straight through. I went with the SE 259e cams with a .570 lift over the 103 kit. I am satisfied with the performance.

That intro music is what scotty kilmer uses.

People get hung up on dyno sheets , who cares if you make 150 HP and 150 TQ at 5000 , if the motor never goes there .. I just put a new cam chest in back in March , I'm the odd ball that doesn't change stuff "just to be changing" , but when I do have to change stuff then I upgrade to better and what I want ... I had my eyes on three cams ( 11 Road Glide ) and it came down to a buddy giving me a set of cams NIB for the cost of shipping .. Works for me .. SE255 , appears the torque curve is fairly flat , but you can tell you have power on tap always , idles much better , I used to be a cruise at 70-75 on the slab , bike breathes much better and actually is happier at 75-85 now .. Course with 72000 miles , the original breathers were shot .. And the primary cam shoe was not far from trashing the motor ..

Hi Kev , buddy you’ve got me hooked with the content you and that little red cup put out. I’d also like to know what cam you run inside that mind of yours because it really seems to crank out shed loads of calmly delivered credible information. Personally I think the Captain Morgan to Coke ratio must be part of the secret. Kev I’m running a 2014 Road King Classic with a full Bassani system. Bassani Header is mandrel bent, equal length, stepped header - 1 3/4 to 1 7/8 true duel system with Bassani DNT cans. Got a really nice deep sound. Heavy breather is the Screamin Eagle with K&N filter. This work was done by my local Harley dealership here on the Sunshine Coast in QLD Australia. Dyno done on completion gives me 103 ft lbs TQ & about 87 hp if I remember correctly. I owned a night road special for nearly ten years prior to this ride with similar mods and it went like greased cat shit and I loved it. Reason for mentioning this is that I ride the RK hard. I don’t burn out or thrash it but I do like to get to and from all the great little country pubs via all the great country back roads in quick time. I’d like to fit cam but their are so many choices I’m getting analysis paralysis. I want more torque because the poor old girl is a bit of a slug but not sure when in the rev range is the question, I agree totally with you that I’m in the group that doesn’t spend much time at the upper speed limits but I seem to keep the engine rpm up around 4 to 5k a lot of the time. I just like lively responsive engine rpm range and that seems to be the sweet spot for this bike. Something tells me that you might be able to suggest you’ve got a skunk works cam under your counter that might fit the bill. Regards Jon

Amazing video, but some of us have an added layer: Emissions. We can improve the engine to certain extent as emissions and dB on the tail pipe are limited by law. So how can we improve the engine while still be within the allowed limits?

Here for the algorithm!! Thanks a lot Kev

I got a 2013 FXDB and it has a completely stock 96" TC with just an S&S Stealth intake, Old style Screaming Eagle Tuner, and a set of short shot pipes. Yes I know those pipes are horrible but LOVE the look and sound. Ive dumped a ton of money into bike but now need more power. Problem is it still has less then 6,000 miles on the odometer. I was thinking just a set of cams? I live in North Idaho and only ride 6-8 months a year unfortunately. I dont ride a passenger ever. I like street light to street light and am almost NEVER on the freeways.

Hello, I am a big fan of your work. I have a 2012 Softail with the 103 engine, looking for the best bang for the buck cam upgrade. My riding style is fast and hard but never more than 5000 rpm. Not trying to blow it up lol. I've had it since new and have tried to take my Best to take good care of it. I prefer the look of the Bassani 34" fishtail true dule exhaust, yes I know it is not the best thing for power. I also run the k&n air cleaner with no cover, I spent most of the miles never even getting up to more than 4000 rpm but have recently been trying to get a little higher up there but I am naturally concerned with the health of the engine. I would like it ask you please for a recommendation for the best drop in cam for me. I've never been one to redline or abuse my bike but I do like to get my thrill below 80mph. I know well that you have plenty of paying customers and if you can't answer I would understand. Disabled veteran on a limited income and and although that's not an excuse just the facts of it. This machine is my lifeline and the health benefits are amazing. Thank you in advance either way and I will continue to be a fan even if you can't get back to me, you make more sense than most people I can find and I respect you for what you do. briancolburn@yahoo.com

I’ve got a 1994 flhtcu with an se-2 cam with a high flow air cleaner and a stock exhaust. It feels like the exhaust is choking it out pretty good, is there a system (preferably on the quieter side) you would recommend? I appreciate your content and the hard work and time you guys put into them. Thanks

My head just exploded! 🤯

“How to choose the right cam….” “Decide for yourself” Thanks man lol

Well said Kev... 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🤔

585 or 551 cam for 2013 - twincam 103 touring if purpose is good low end pull and no targets in the future for any other hot rod upgrades. I couldn't find answer for it in the video.

Thanks Kevin

Great information......Thanks.

Thank you

Fantastic vid. 👍🏽

Alot of detail of cam values, but because of all the other factors involved, it really didnt help me decide on the Perfect Cam for my heavy touring M8, 107ci, but pointing to my need to listen to others with experiences with near the same set up.

I have a stock 2005 88 cubic inch want to put cams and a good head but leave the cylinders along what would be the best cam for that guys are telling me to go with the triple fives or seven wood cans light for the torque range to be maybe $1,500 up to five grand what's your opinion on what can I should run

Kevin, I'm confused regarding your "Lobe Separation Angle" graphic? It shows "Intake Closes" twice and doesn't show "Intake Opens"? I was expecting the intake to open in the upper right-hand quadrant of the graphic? Tom

Very interesting! Thanks.👍

Good tips and info.

Amazing video as always Kevin! It´s time for me to mount a new set of bolt in performance cams into my FXSB 103. I´m riding in the higher rev range when I want my power to really be noticeable, so I´m wondering what cam you´d suggest based on this information? I combine this with a TBR Comp-S 2 into 1 exhaust together with a custom map on dyno and an open air filter! Thanks again Kevin!

Great video!!

Hey Kevin. I got a 20 rg with 107. I’m a big guy and ride 2 up fairly often I’d love to find a fun torque cam

2001 Duce 1450cc I have good air box and muffler ,I'm looking for low rpm thump-er my bike runs ok but idle is weak top end is good.

Kevin I have a 2014 ultra limited water cooled hats what can I do to get the most power out of that motor I generally run short short shift 25 to 4500 RPM 90% of my time I run solo

At what point on your diagram does the valve open?

I presently run a 475 cam but want to tame the engine down is the 465 a better choice thanks

I run Andrews tw21 in my stock ultra twin cam 88 It’s one cam above stock and will really wake up that stock motor

Kevin, is there a typo in your pictogram at 5:06? Your intake never opens!!!

Love this channel, I have a 2021 Road Glide, 107 M8, completely stock (for now)....the only mods I plan on doing are full exhaust with air cleaner and a tuner on the dyno. I would like to do a mild cam. I’ve read that the S&S 465 is a good cam, especially for the touring bikes. Do you agree? Would I have to change any other engine components to safely run this cam? What would you recommend for a cam? (Not looking to build a race bike, just something with a little more power. Reliability is my first concern). Also, what is your opinion on the SE torque cam? Vs the S&S 465 cam? Thanks.

Nice upload!!

I see quite a few owners on Harley forums who, after having a Stage II, come back disappointed at their bike's performance compared to before the upgrade. Many feel the performance doesn't equal the money they spent. I know you're in the business, but do you feel the money spent on a Stage II is worth it for the relatively minimal gains in torque and horsepower? Do you feel a Stage III would be a better "value"?

Thanks!

Stock 2015 FLHXS 103 with SE super tuner Pro , SE heavy breather and 4" Rineharts with decatted head pipe....your thoughts on the T Man 555 torqster cam I ride mostly solo and like the feel of mid range power not so much off the clutch .

Can. Get. Gear. Driven. Cam. Inner. Gear. Driver. Out. Chain. Driven. Would that work

I have a stock 99 road king 88 ci. Carbie. I’ve chose a S&S 509 only goi to have slip ons and maybe air filter .. was this a good choice for around town and some highway riding. I just thought a s&s 510 was to hot for me. Thanks. From Australia

Hey, I just caught your video explaining cams. I have a stock 2003 TC88 FLHRCI 31k. Chain tensioner pads caught just in time. Not doing the up grade just yet. Want to go with Zipper's in the future but for now replacing tensioners, S&S quickies, HLJ 2313SE lifters, DS "Daytona" performance oil pump, new analog oil PSI gauge. and trying to decide Cams or no cams. I know there are limitations for my stock bike and found the "night train" site with a dizzing awray of cams to review. it has highly suggested to run no more than .250 duration and .510 lift cam in my stock set up. trying to narrow down and am in the range of Andrews TW37, or 37B, I ride the mountains of NC. Not going to the strip any time soon wanted to know if that cam would be a good bolt in fit for my bike with just a bit more pep. Thanks for any in put.

I'm still trying to figure out what cam I want. So many choices

I'm gonna throw this out there Kevin. If I gave all my bikes present specs and what I expected from it, would you recommend a cam?

I am very interested in the S&S 475 cam for my 2017 RG Ultra. My question is do you recommend just changing the cam shaft with push rods and lifters or change the entire cam chest, New cam plate and oil pump. Thank you

I’m waiting on my S&S 509c cam chest kit to be delivered now. After my new cams are installed what do I have to do in the way of tuning the bike before it can be ridden regularly? I already have the stage 1 intake and the EFI upload that Harley recommended. Time, money and location will be a factor in getting a full professional tune.

I put in my 95 cu in a HQ-0034G when everyone else was putting in really big cams around me. They all had problems with idle. Go figure.

Hey Kevin I have a 2013 Road King with 103 motor and I’m thinking of replacing my oil pump and cam. Do I need lifters as well and new push rods???

I'm not a professional but I watched a Kevin Baxter video last night. All that being said...can you recommend the best cam for a guy with a stock 107 M8 who likes to get on it every once in awhile? I like the twisties as well as opening up on long stretches. TIA

Greetings from Brazil! Don't tread on me!

I put a 131" Stage 4 Kit in my 2019 Ultra with D& D Billet Cat Exhaust. During Daytona Bike week I talked to T-man about his Cams. Hence I replaced my Zippers Redshift 468 Cam with his TMP-2652 cam with 515 lift. Hoping I made the right choice. I ride 2-up a lot. Your thoughts?

Glad I found your channel tons of great info. I have a 09 night train what cam would you recommend for street / touring I'm in new Mexico we have mountains all over my bike has stock throttle body a Arlen Ness velocity intake, V&H pipes, stock heads, cobra auto tune. Down the road I may put a 110 kit in so possiblity a cam that could work well with both. Not looking to race just a improvement over stock for some good street torque. In the past I installed Andrews 54H cames in my Electra glide pretty much same set up and they were fantastic in that heavy touring bike and how I rode not are if they would also be a good choice for a Softail. I was interested in the easy start cams from s&s as they sell complete install kits with plates and pump as well. Any infor would be great since like you said there are so many options it can get confusing. Thanks

I have a 2017 ultra limited twin cooled m8 looking for a cam ,cam plate and oil pump not sure what size cam ride two up a lot looking for higher torq at lower rpm thinking more and mor s&s kit any suggestions I like the 2 into 1 headers also and not sure if I should get a new ecm like a thunder max mine bone stock kind of lost in this m8 word twin cams were cake

My question is what's a good cam operating in the 1500-3000 rpm range for more torque v-twin

How about just buy a bike from a manufacturer that engineers it properly from the factory?

Kevin is a cam upgrade on a Harley big twin with a stock crank a bad idea? Can the Harley crank take the upgraded power ? In your opinion would a after market crank be a better start before any upgrades on a stock Harley 96” big twin for more power ?

What do you recommend for a 2018 road glide only modification done was a Trask nasty bastard 2-1 exhaust Would you say : 465 s&s Fueling or Something els ?

Woods or Red Shift

I installed the S&S 510c cam in my 2002 Dyna, along with the S&S 97ci kit and had my heads ported, polished and decked and it’s a fun bike to ride. I’m thinking of using the S&S 509c cam in a stock 2005 Heritage softail. How will this cam compare? I has a softail with an Andrews 44 cam in the past but it felt more like a higher revving cam.

Yeah I'm going to have to call you Kevin. Because you just gave me too much information and I'm confused lol

Who is running a zippers RS468? Any regrets?

Kevin, I had a Zippers 468 RS cam installed on my 107 Heritage. It’s tuned with a Powervision Tuner from a very reputable guy tuning at the HD dealership. Stock I was getting around 42mpg and now I’m barely getting 32mpg. Is this normal for a Zippers cam?

The Yoda of the V Twin

Great video and excellent explanation!! I’ve mostly dealt with car cams for 30+ years and still learning things!!! Curious on your opinion, I have a 08 FatBoy 13k miles, Arlen Ness Big Sucker, Bad Dad 2 into 1 exhaust, currently has a DJ PC-V (will be looking to change to a PowerVision) and upgrading the compensator to the DarkHorse Comp. I mostly ride solo (200 lb), we have hills but mostly flatter kind of riding in the southern North East. Also normally ride in the 2500-5000 rpm range with an occasional “let her eat” kind of riding. I have been looking at the Andrews 48H but wasn’t sure. Any sort of guidance would be great, and once I figure this out I’ll be in touch to order some parts, but will have to order parts as money is available for it. (Daughter in college) thanks again. I almost forgot I do have a batwing fairing and hard-bags on the bike.

Still confused 🤔😆 . Built an engine for my 2010 RK ,my first one. Standard 103 with auto decompression releases. 103 heads plunge cut and port matched S&S 650” springs 58mm CVO throttle body 5.3 g/s screaming eagle injectors 103 factory barrels bored to 107 Wiseco Trekker pistons and rings 10.5-1 compression Andrews 54H cams S&S crank and flywheels Fueling cam plate and HV oil pump Fueling HV lifters Fueling hydraulic tensioners S&S adjustable pushrods Vance & Hines true duels exhaust . Got good torque from 1800rpm up to 113ftlb at about 3500. Horsepower around 103. Can I get better torque by changing my cam? Recommendation on better torque cam for my build ? Most of my riding is corners , hills or 2up. Thanks

Would a wood 666 cam be good all around cam for my 2011 ultra Harley

Do you degree the cams in with a degree wheel like you would a race car engine for optimal cam timing and performance or can it not be done on a Harley engine ? Just was wondering lol

So....Whats the best drop in cam then ?