Frequently Asked Questions

     1.  What is a Dyno? A big expensive tool! Think of it as a way to ride a motorcycle and diagnose problems without the worry of being run over by a minivan. Air fuel ratios can be recorded and changed as the bike is tested. Horsepower and torque can be measured on a chassis dyno at the rear wheel. An eddy current electro-magnetic brake can be used to vary the load on the engine simulating real life riding conditions.

     2.  What is the difference between a "canned map” and a custom map? A canned map from the Dynojet website or disc is generic maps that were created with the idea that all bikes are created equal. Every bike has different characteristics. Even with the same parts installed. Having a custom map built by a professional tuner will make the bike smoother, cooler and overall more fun to ride.

     3.  Why build a custom fuel injection map? Taste homemade chocolate chip cookies then cookies from a bag. The homemade taste better! The same goes for maps that are custom built for your individual motorcycle. The bike will run cooler, throttle response will be faster, and fuel economy is generally improved as well. Every bike should be properly tuned by a professional tuner. If it’s a Harley, it is even more important because timing changes need proper fueling.

     4.  Which fuel injection tuning device is best? No one product is the best but several rise to the top of the list. We prefer the Dynojet Powercommanders III and V. Zippers Thundermax is also a preferred tuning tool. They both take a different approach but achieve the same results. Trying to tune the stock ECM? With a "Race Tuner” and stock sensors? Forget it!

     5.  Does the dyno tune the motorcycle or is the actual person tuning key? The Dyno is the tool that simulates the road. The experience of the tuner is what counts most. The tuning is only as good as the tuner. Cycle Solutions Inc. tunes thousands of Harleys each year one by one. All tweaked manually by hand until perfect!

     6.  What sets Chris Waddell of Cycle Solutions Inc. apart from all other tuners? Experience! Every bike he put his hands on gets as much time as needed to make it perfect. Done right the first time, every time. Read our list of testimonials from our customers on this website and you will understand.

     7.  Will tuning decrease the temperature of an air cooled engine? Absolutely! A proper air fuel ration will "optimize” the burn creating more power and less heat from "lean” combustion. The reverse is true as well; a rich running motorcycle doesn’t make enough heat during combustion to burn all of its fuel.

     8.  Will custom tuning my motorcycle negatively affect my fuel mileage? In most cases motorcycles are lean; by richening them you would think mileage would suffer. The opposite is true. Properly tuned motorcycles make more power, use less throttle, and improve overall economy. A rich engine will always waste fuel. Proper fuel ration tuning optimizes economy and power.

     9.  What is the maximum RPM for a twin cam engine and why? That is a big question with lots of answers. First, a twin cam comes pre-set to rev at 5600 rpm. Our rev extend raises it to 6200 rpm. 6200 rpm is safe in all twin-cam engines. Never spin a "B” counterbalanced engine over 6200 rpm or bad things will happen. Counter balancer bearings and weights will let go. An "A” motor can go to a higher rpm but it is recommended to solidify the crank first. Valve springs on both types of twin cams need to be replaced so the valves do not smack the pistons. 6200 rpm is plenty. OEM Design and engineering are built around the 6200 rpm ceiling. By raising the redline to 6200 rpm, it increases the fun factor!

    10.  What are the risks of having my bike dynoed? The risks are great if your tech has little or no training along with no experience. Most dealerships do not have qualified technicians on a dyno unless you consider a 2 day course in school as qualification. Risks are quite minimal in the hands of a trained certified technician. In 7 years on our current dyno we have tuned over 42,000 bikes and only 6 bikes have popped. All six had issues within the engine and were going to pop regardless. Better on the dyno then at 70 mph going down the highway! Passing a Semi!

     11.  Can a spark plug really make more horsepower? Absolutely! Watch our videos on You Tube under "boxoflube”. NGK Iridium Plugs make a minimum of 2 horsepower more than the stock plugs. The secret is in the tip. Test show a 2-3 degree advance in timing with the NGK plugs and a more intense spark to boot.

     12.  Putting that power to the ground- Suspension upgrades and why? Stock Sucks! The stock rear suspension on a Harley is barley adequate. We use Legends Air Ride Suspensions and Alloy Art frame braces to transfer the additional power we build onto the ground. Handling and load carrying capability are also improved greatly.
 
     13.  Why should I install gear drive cams? Ever see the S&S gear drive display? Stop by our booth at a show or watch our video on You Tube under the” boxoflube” and you won’t believe the difference. Because of build tolerances, chains and tensioners must be used in a production engine. They speed assembly and absorb out of tolerance crankshafts. Gear drive or direct drive cams take out the slop and improve durability and performance. Gear drives installed properly make more power and vastly improve durability.

     14.  Which is better, a 2 into 1 exhaust or a Tru Dual Exhaust? Or Slip ons? Tru duals or 2-1 nowadays is a matter of looks. Slip ons make noise and bump power up a bit. Remember baffles should always be used as proper back pressure on a single pin crank reduces or eliminates reversion. I prefer stepped tru duals like the BUB 7 or Rinehart. Especially on a large displacement engine.

     15.  Should I really use premium fuel? Yes, to help prevent detonation in an air cooled engine. Since the motors are lean, you should use premium to help prevent damage. Even properly tuned we still recommend premium fuel. As for additives, that is debatable.

     16.  How can I reduce noise, wear and temperature in a 6 speed engine? Proper transmission lubricant! 20w50 engine oils are not made for your tranny. Try Amsoil severe gear or Lucas transmission oil and you will instantly eliminate noise wear and poor shifting. You can order both of these products at cyclesolutionsonline.com or boxoflube.com

     17.  What basic modifications to a twin cam can result in a 50% performance gain? Our stage one performance package. This consists of a performance exhaust system, carb or fuel injection tuning, a performance breather by Jet Scream or K&N. NGK plugs are standard in our packages.
Every year we perform stage 1 upgrades coast to coast. The average twin cam makes 50ish horse power bore stock. 75 horsepower is easily attainable and quite average as a result of these modifications.