What Does a Performance Harley Build Cost? *5 Budget Planning Tips*

If you are considering a Performance Engine build for your Harley-Davidson motorcycle this video will give you five tips on how to start your budget planning.

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Dependability and longevity is gold to me. The other guy can ride like his hair is on fire if he wants to.

[@PincheBuzo]

I'm doing good to keep up with maintenance on a stock bike. Doing a build is fantasy in my world. More power to those who can do it.

[@jeffreysheridan5205]

Same here. Do my own maintenance.

[@whip-its_dad4239]

Kevin , I even watch the commercials all the way thru because I think it helps ? I get nothing but great information about HD engines from you so thank you very much .

[@jordantserghanos2604]

Great video, and great points. However, if someone is asking the cost of a build you are already underway that you are already doing on KZbin the cost has for the "most part" already been determined and that is what is being asked I think.

[@donphillips5471]

I’d like to see a twin cam build thank you great videos

[@fredflint1797]

I have long enjoyed small blocks with a mild cam, free exhaust, good carb, and tall gears. Same with Panhead, Evos and Twin Cams. I ain't racin', just havin' lots of fun for years. I did rebuild my '16 Road Glide waterhead by replacing it with a '23 Road King Special! With a dream budget I would aim for a bulletproof drive train and intake, exhaust and tune that burns optimally. Good bearings, valve train, clutch assembly, and lubrication to increase durability. My 114 already runs like stroker of old used to. Right now I'm looking at making an air breather that I don't have to stop in the rain to put a sock on! Kevin, by trying to do the best you can, I believe you are the best at all you do! You care, you share, you show, and you grow!

[@user-zy7kj7ze3l]

Had a customer come in back in December, and wanted a top end and cam swap on a 16 TriGlide.. pinion shaft runout.006 and Sprocketshaft had .018 runout.. needless to say his budget went right out the window as soon as we found those issues. lifter bores were pretty jacked up too.. definitely hate to see those surprises come up. and sure hard to account for upon initial quoting of the build!! only had 10,400 miles on it too.. never would have thought id see that much runout on something with such low mileage.

[@grantodaniel7053]

Wasn't there a period when a lot of HDs were coming out of the factory in that condition? I'm not sure of the years/models affected... Cheers from Oz. 👍🇦🇺

[@geoffreyjones2000]

I look forward to the trans tear down

[@jamtmill]

Thanks Kevin, out here doing the Lords work.

[@JesseAbair]

Thanks for the perspective. And your tear down, build, and tips-and-tricks content is phenomenal; stoked for you to share more. Thank you!

[@theodavies8754]

I picked up a 25 year old TC 88 that the log book says had 7 previous keepers, did less than 1k miles every year for it's life. Within 10 minutes I get why, early in it's FXDL life someone decided that more HP would make it better. It's like a 1450 hot sportster tune, I like taking it easy 99% of the time so it's getting a detune next winter.

[@mattbishop1228]

I think Kevin answered the question pretty good. All things considered parts will eat ya up. $$$$. You can build a good POS or something that will not leave you stranded.

[@craigkemmerzell5741]

This was a very good show 👏 This was my thought process when I did my Zippers 107 Muscle Kit 💪 I wanted all my parts working together as a team I am very happy with my results 😀 Take care 😊

[@scruffy4647]

Well, so much about revealing costs.

[@danbarrette9888]

I’ll be watching for what’s coming up.

[@laurentruesdale4088]

I've always found a happy medium is good for builds, but reliability is important to me. Looking forward to the shovel rebuild. Always look forward to your new videos, but you have many posted, so that gives me something to watch. Thanks.

[@mitchelldarnell5334]

Cain't believe I'm the only one here!! Good information!

[@darrell3368]

Thanks Kelvin great to see you

[@scottschiller1153]

A awesome job and good points to consider Kevin!

[@austinap2248]

Remember after you do your build don't ignore the suspension because stock Harleys suspension is suspect. On my 2020 SGS I installed the Kraus inverted front end (with Ohlins internals) triple trees and their fly Moto bars while replacing the rear shocks with Ohlins and added a Famous Daves seat. It's not cheap. But hey, if your single you get to make the choice yourself as to remodeling the kitchen or building your bike. Great video as always.

[@Ironh54]

Could you do a video on the treatments you mentioned for hot wether. Live in CA and ride a lot in AZ and NV

[@canttalk]

Sir you remind me so much of my uncle which has passed away with your knowledge and experience with answers to questions. One time I was cleaning an engine block. I walked in and asked him to come see if it was clean enough. He looked at me and said "If you have to come ask me if it's cleaned enough it's not cleaned enough " somehow your answers reminds me of that. Keep doing these please I'm learn so much from you. God bless you sir

[@KruseProductions]

Excellent video. We’d all love to hear a number but as you put it not possible until you have that consultation. Always enjoy your videos. I hope things are going well for you in your new shop and things are good for your family. Thanks

[@RandyCRR]

Great info as usual Kevin. Long term subscriber.

[@davidyager8817]

Great topic and well worth thinking about before doing a build.

[@BWTT]

Well said Kevin

[@dougcox2537]

Good Video. I believe I heard all this somewhere in Winder Ga. I was just in Buford yesterday.

[@tomherndon7745]

Kevin Baxter , Thank you for having one of the finest KZbin channel out there in TVLand

[@blackvettespeeder]

Great video, thank you for the enlightenment!

[@ianadams5872]

Reliable, number one

[@johnnythiroux3304]

Alot to think about. Thanks

[@o0Hotiron0o]

Thank you for all that Kevin

[@roncoburn7771]

Hey kevin if i was a touring guy i would leave it stock. But Iam not big cubes big heat great video.

[@richardpitts6284]

How about a 06 Dyna 88 . With tapered timken bearings . Not blueprinted . The motor only . With about 75,000 . Just cross country easy riding . It's got hydraulic cam chain tensioners .

[@juliochingaling5824]

Great video. God bless.

[@user-ob4nd6or1p]

I still don’t understand how someone can abuse a 200hp Ducati V4 or BMW R1000 all day long and at the end of the day it still runs like new…and then we have the Harley engine that has to be built up to sustain even the lightest abuse without imploding.

[@reddevil331]

Great advice!

[@freedom6919741]

A lot ! I know what I payed you 😂. 22000 miles on my skunk works 124 and still going strong 💪

[@geraldgoodiii6993]

Got a ballpark ? Looking at having a bulletproof setup on my 2023 RG. it’s a 124 top end build currently. Idk if the cyls and pistons can be reused ..

[@ChasCrewChief]

I’m a mild rider, until I feel the Skunk Power! It can be addictive….no throttle control, tire budget increases, miles just seem to add up exponentially 😮

[@kerrylewis2581]

Cool hat, Mr. Baxter

[@SuperOperator4]

Quality parts really improve on fitment, which makes for more longevity etc.

[@dpgoverride]

I am building my Twin Cam to 107" and I far exceeded my initial budget because the bike sat for 6-7 years. I did not factor in all of the small things that would need to be done. On top of that I started wanting to do more the more I thought about why would I skimp on this or why would I not go ahead and upgrade this. I went from an engine build to and entire rebuild. Bike is down to frame and transmission, I wanted to go ahead and go through the trans and opted not to because well....money and time. All this was even with me sitting down and making a list, researching parts and deciding the most logical route. Do I mind? No, I would rather just do it now and be done than build it and have to tear it down again next year to do the rest.

[@woodleydwyer473]

Thanks!

[@KevinBaxter]

Thank you so much sir!

[@BossMan302]

It’s all about your budget nothing else. Everyone wants the baddest, fastest, most reliable build possible…….can you afford it is the question. Answer ? Yes build it yourself people.

[@dennyreed6321]

How much does it cost to build a 100k mile engine?

[@DAytes-vp6is]

So, what does a high power reliable monster average at?😂

[@ericolson8708]

Thanks for the video Kevin

[@jongray9342]

Solid content...#5 good question...Carry on .. see you when mine grenades...

[@Chaplain161]

Have you gotten everything done with your new shop? We need an updated video tour of it.

[@rodeheavers]

Kevin, how can I get in contact with you to try and get a question answered. Thx for all these great videos btw!

[@dustin4866]

I just purchased a s&s 111 for my 09 street glide just trying to find a good clutch set up

[@joaomauriciobasiledesouza6204]

Hi Kevin! How reliable is the stock M8 flywheel/crank? I have a 2021 Fatboy that would like to install an S&S 465 cam and Feuling oil pump and cam plate but I’m so afraid to have my flywheel developing a runout after the install. How often do you see the stock flywheel shifting and developing a bigger and bigger runout as we put miles on it. Cheers from Brazil 🇧🇷. I’m a big fan of you. 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@larrys.3992]

Harley makes engines that satisfy 80% of riders. I want that other 20% in addition.

[@jimmyp6443]

Horsepower cost money how fast do you want to go .

[@mitchelldarnell5334]

I'm listening!

[@williamdavis4511]

Just need it to pull like a tractor uphill and cruise a bit over the speed limit of course...

[@nealmarsh1196]

Hi Kevin. I'm reviving a 1967 flh. What carburetor do you recommend for this bike. Mostly stock with .010 over pistons

[@georgespain6121]

Happy with my build, but the back tire seems to be going away rather quickly and I don’t do any burn outs. Wonder why that is?

[@danr919]

Umm every time you ride or drive a tire wears. It’s pretty simple. 5hp or 150hp

[@user-mg3po8mx5p]

Kevin my plan for my softail 2019 sport glide is to do a rebuild at 100k. Would you be interested in talking about it

[@shadesshades397]

Wish you was in uk 😂

[@KamaTanha]

So I take it this means somewhere between $2,500 and $25,000 then? :)

[@deweydodo6691]

More performance more heat. I want reliable..

[@anthonybooth6875]

So. All questions considered. Between what and what? With parts. 10k - 30k+. Still wtf are we talking for a pro engine? Not one I put together!

[@vernegibb621]

It was a good video,but never mentioned cost no hi or low pure click bait.😢

[@thompsonjerry3412]

Does not help at all, just looking for a range