Part 1 Harley Crankshafts and Comps - Darkhorse Crankworks - Kevin Baxter - Pro Twin Performance

[@cedriclashar8905]

2 years later this is still an informative video.....I just skip the adds and keep it moving...still just great information to be had...thanks Kevin for another great informative video

[@MCheekeOutdoors]

John had helped me with crank and case work upgrades back about 2009 with my '07 TC ...recently added the Man O War compensator and after checking pinion shaft with a cam change the runout hasn't changed in 10 years ... in the neighbourhood of .0002" ...Super nice guy that I spoke with several times and provided great work .. Cheers ...Mitch in Canada

[@KevinBaxter]

Cheers!

[@geraldgoodiii6993]

0.002 after 10 years ??? Stock m8 cranks .. 0.006 from the factory and 0.012 after 20k prob lol

[@tonyputman3398]

Fantastic discussion. This information is truly the "insider scoop" and I really appreciate you putting it out here for us so we can make better informed decisions when we start planning our build!! Well done guys!! Be blessed, brothers!

[@KevinBaxter]

My pleasure! Blessing sir!!!

[@tomlee432]

Its easy to see that your a very good tech with a great attitude and work ethic. As a master tech with over 40 years experience, its nice to see. As also a tech that works on all makes and models, i still have issue with Harley's Quality control. These bikes are not cheap. But it seems to me that they say eh' its good enough!!. Then they leave it to the industry of great techs and outside suppliers to fix these issues. If these things were to creep up around the 100.000 mile mark I'd be more inclined to forgive these issues. But I've seen personally as well as in the process of repairs these ridiculous problems with bikes in the 17.000 to 20.000 mile area. I wished for the money they charge for these machines that they did a much better job. Keep up the good work. As a tech and a gear head this is more fun to watch than boring TV.

[@WoodratFLA]

I now have one of their bullet-proof modified Cranks (11/2021) in my 2005 Heritage Classic (carb). I could not be happier with it. Already had changed over to gear driven cams in 2013 along with a big bore kit mod to 95 ci. Complete rebuild (11/21) from crank up takes me to 104 ci monster. That motor is smoothest thing I've ever driven! If you are rebuilding, put one of these cranks (rebuilt or new) in your machine! Thank you Darkhorse!

[@cavscout62]

I grew up in the Texas Hill Country in Boerne, Texas. We rode all the famous now rides every week/weekend that everyone sees as a destination ride these days. Yes, it was better then when we had it all to ourselves but hey, nowadays those rides provide a living for so many families so, progress... Darkhorse & Baxter you guys are great! I absolutely love this stuff y’all are putting out here men as this is the way I learned from my Pop as a youngster. A powerplant is a system and every component must be in harmony if it’s going to live and perform for a long happy life. This is great to see these days of “throwaway” everything!

[@KevinBaxter]

thank you so much for the kind words. greatly appreciated. Been thru a lot of texas. of course Dallas, FW, but also Houston (Ive done the Ironman in Woodlands twice), El Paso, Weatherford, Salt Flat, etc....kinda all over. Love it out there.

[@briannorwell202]

Watched this two years ago but chose to go with a local (Quebec) firm. My 122" build with "only" 138 hp went from .0015 to .012 in 18,000 miles. I do not race, abuse or stunt the bike. It was faulty machine shop work. Cheap is expensive expensive is cheap....this winter, a Darkhorse is going in!

[@KevinBaxter]

Hey Brian. Hate to hear that happened. Good choice there....

[@ryanbassett2091]

Darkhorse did my crank in my TwinCam! Great work!! Great guys to work with!

[@thomasleclair7418]

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I at 71 years here , have all the old S & S tools and have balanced and trued [Rowe truing stand] my old shovel cranks....Great to get into this twin cam crank knowledge.........I have a 103 crank I may need to send out to Darkhorse,,,knowing that the motor will tolerate the hard burnouts etc etc ,,,and hellriding................thanks.......

[@bigdaddylou9467]

Just found your channel this week. This video came up and found it extremely informative.

[@richardpitts6284]

Back running the 60s XLCH . With S&S Stroker' Flywheel's . Piston Speed was hard on the rings .

[@leonsumrall524]

Hobans is like 25 minutes from Me. Great small shop in the middle Of nowhere. Great customer service and honest with what they deliver

[@justinphillips5702]

Had DH do my crank and, they did a excellent job on it.

[@karmsenrab8587]

If I'm going to sink $ into a engine I will start @ the bottom and work up, That is the FOUNDATION of whatever is on top!

[@johnthomas1263]

I. Agree. With. You. Complete

[@kerrylewis2581]

Sorry I missed this live. Interesting stuff. I have almost 110,000 miles on my Ultra Limited and this is just the kind of knowledge I'll need to know when my 2013 needs a refresh.

[@davemilbourne7761]

Tell Andrew thanks for helping me and my dad putting together my bottom end with the Timkin bearing upgrade on my M8. Will have you guys do my ‘05 Twinkie here soon. Cheers!!

[@KevinBaxter]

Will do. Thank you Dave!

[@Toobzilla]

those that think welding those pins to the forging is a good idea, has either never taken one back apart or didnt pay attention to the surface area loss as a result of welding them. it has an adverse affect on rigidity.

[@asamcdaniel5167]

Can a guy get connecting rods for a evo sized crank and twin cam pistions?

[@davidknows3320]

Yes, 07 96 cube Ultra, compensator failed, a new Baker was installed. 6k miles later it failed again. Baker replaced it parts and labor free. however after watching all these videos I'm convinced my stock crank was the reason for all the failures I experienced. Maddening. The original cause was not found out and I paid out a bunch of money.

[@MilkMan608]

I knew John when he rode a BMW and worked for me at Golden Guernsey Dairy, Waukesha. Good guy!

[@KevinBaxter]

Meh.....hes alright. hahahaha

[@jackthebagger7589]

Awesome , wish I had made it live .. DH has always been top shelf ..

[@KevinBaxter]

Next time! We had some video issues in the beginning, then the feed got cut after 1 hr...but i put up part 2 and we went for another 45 mins! lol. Thanks for the support sir.

[@martinwall7297]

its about time, long overdue. to finally get honest, intelligent, knowledge, and direction into what the hell is what on the poor quality the HD factory overcharges us for. the lies and junk they spin to the public. from all who ride and live 2 wheels, thank you.

[@richardpitts6284]

My Uncle , used to ice race on Lake Winnipesaukee (Laconia) back in the 50s and 60s . Ice isn't as thick as Wisconsin 🙂

[@tomdowns9807]

Enjoyed watching the video, a lot is beyond me but I've just scored an S&S 124 TC that cheap only has 62miles on it. It was cheap because he left an important part out when putting his motor into the frame, primary.....no crankcase spacer! He used a compensator eliminator and just gorilla it down... Crank is definately screwed...but ill take the cam pllate and pump out to check it and will decide on a crank later...any suggestions

[@leonsumrall524]

So… I’ve got 48k on my 07 ultra… I’m nervous about the bottom end and compensator

[@toddoverby5538]

Just sent mine in for a stroker 88 to a 107. These people respond to emails and answer their phone! Andrew is the best.

[@KevinBaxter]

Known him for nearly 15 years. Great addition to the team there for sure.

[@milwaukeeaterfu2190]

crankworks az completely screwed me on my crankshaft service, pressed the wrong one together and just sent it back. i would never ever do busy with them, ever.

[@sambrandon6770]

Love Kevin's videos, holy ads in this one.

[@6806goats1]

Thanks Kevin, this is awesome. Thanks to John as well. hope this is cool but I posted a thanks to his vendor section on HTT. If not then let me know and I'll pull it. The more a customer learns the better off we are. Wanted to build my own 117 or 124 but then it cuts out my local guy who does a bang up job. Need to watch your entire series, just takes time with limited bandwidth.

[@KevinBaxter]

Dont mind at all. That's great. Thanks. All the best sir.

[@6806goats1]

@@KevinBaxter Traded in my 2015 RGS w/103 for a 2020 RGL and factory 131 kit. Looking to see what options are for the M8 down the road. Thanks again.

[@vincentmcclain9307]

I have a complete Darkhorse bottom end on a 107 build which sounds unnecessary to most but I wanted a blue print / balance for future builds I am not disappointed 12000 later I would NOT just stack a big inch top with out a Darkhorse bottom end.

[@gregoryranlett7868]

Smart man!

[@toddoverby5538]

Did the same with my TC 88B to 107 conversion. It's the centerpiece of the build. Great people to work with and when you roll on the throttle you do it with confidence.

[@gwattsjr]

The new S&S 131 Big Bore kit requires a 4-5/8" stroke flywheel. Two options are given, one with tapered rods and one with full width rods. The price is the same between them. What's the benefit of choosing one over the other?

[@paulhewson4600]

Going to Hoban For my dyno this Friday,,Great folks

[@rantsandraves8515]

They like the house. The neighborhood approach and the road is what they have to get over. They are cash.

[@frankmay.4542]

do evo engines have timkin both sides and where do they weld the twincam cranks

[@gregduncan1001]

the zippers duel cam tensioner failed on my bike and others learned the hard way

[@jeffdeane3862]

How can you tell if it's the crank or the Compensator

[@chrismorris9065]

What kind of runout numbers are acceptable on the rotor/compensator side of the crank? Would over 0.007" cause issues with compensator & rotors?

[@KevinBaxter]

if you are measuring at the very end of the shaft, that's not a whole lot. total indicated run out would better determine that...measuring pinion shaft as well and totaling them up.

[@chrismorris9065]

@@KevinBaxter This is how I measured the runnout. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmmpmZKahLuCodE

[@goldysmith6953]

Kevin I have a 124 Dark Horse crank long rods well my water cooled heads off my 103 fit fit on this motor

[@goldysmith6953]

I want install a dark horse compensator change tensioner I want to use old-school self-adjust I don't want I asked Screamin Eagle basket can you recommend a clutch I wish to thank you for helping great advice

[@KarinDiego-p2y]

0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:02 ​@@goldysmith6953

[@ajkylen]

fantastic thank you

[@KevinBaxter]

Thank you too! Sorry for the technical glitches. Will get things sorted out. I appreciate you watching.

[@LonesomeNomad137]

Awesome

[@KevinBaxter]

thank you

[@dannyburgess2781]

I live them old. Stores

[@fireball1322]

the shovels had a crankpin with a 4 degree difference in the taper between the taper of the flywheels that when tightened via the nuts made for a tight "interference fit". Much like a automotive tirerod fits in the tierod end

[@GodfathersAdventures]

Are there major downsides to putting a mild cam upgrade on a 103 with 64k miles

[@KevinBaxter]

not at all. choosing the RIGHT cam, then being installed properly, and tuned properly, is the key. All of that can actually improve engine life. more efficient, runs cooler, etc....

[@GodfathersAdventures]

Kevin Baxter thanks kevin for taking to answer personally. Will give you a ring when I am ready.

[@KevinBaxter]

Thank you Michael

[@GodfathersAdventures]

Kevin Baxter not as extensive as your examples but I wrote this 4 years ago ridewiththegodfather.blogspot.com/2016/09/more-horsepower-not-what-you-want.html

[@johnthomasjr.4131]

Thank. You

[@gregduncan1001]

the zippers cam tensioner (duel piston)failed on me whoud not return.

[@KevinBaxter]

Doesn't seem typical for those guys...good folks up there. If you had an issue, im pretty sure they would take care of it. Have you spoken with them?

[@cavscout62]

I grew up in the Texas Hill Country and it WAS the most serene and beautiful place on planet earth. No more. Thanks to the ScumBags known as “developers” and kids who inherited land that they didn’t appreciate as much as they Worship money, the Hill Country is now just another overpriced, overpopulated place 20 minutes from the ever encroaching metro areas. Where In The Hell Is Boerne, Texas!

[@raycollington4310]

A welded crank makes big end (sorry UK here) servicing difficult. While these engines keep you in champagne Kevin, they seem so crude and old fashioned to me. How do you feel European and Japanese engines stack up against these HD's. I think I get the tradition and US culture thing but to me that's the heart ruling the brain in this modern world!

[@dennytuma]

i'm not a hd fan the only good thing is you can find parts never understood the concept of putting a rod inside a rod pain in the butt then like you say weld on top of that stupid in my opinion

[@toddoverby5538]

@@dennytuma It's part of what makes the HD sound the way it does. As far as Harleys go, if you don't get it you don't get it. Nothing wrong with that. It ain't for everybody. It's emotional, not logical. Kinda like a democrat. Little O

[@dennytuma]

timken is a brand name most are made outside usa

[@douglasbelasco9773]

i think they are made in spain now

[@tax905972]

People want Harley to build like this, but you may have noticed,these guys are not saying how much for those custom builds? Many of you are already crying about the cost of Harley products.

[@davemilbourne7761]

The cost really isn’t that much. I’d rather have a better built motor than all the fling and chrome Harley puts on their bikes.

[@ejdtm]

👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@KevinBaxter]

Thank you!

[@squidsolo3209]

Really wanted to watch this but damn there’s over 20 add segments added

[@KevinBaxter]

Is there really? I don't put them in. Only aware of 1 skippable ad in the beginning.

[@RanGer-498]

Ii feel like im watching a kung fu movie from the 80s with thos out of sync lip movement🤣

[@Alycat1157]

the sound and video are way off

[@Ridehighfxdb]

Lmfaooooo people WISH you’re getting 150-200hp 😂😂 Harley Davidson wishes could you imagine that

[@KevinBaxter]

Not sure what's so funny....we do it every day. And it's not unusual, to build 250 plus and even over 300. Have built a handfull over 300 and they are still running years later.

[@abdulazizhamad3021]

@@KevinBaxter 200 hp plus kindly i need someone who can make a 200 hp crankshaft Thanks.

[@mitchc3569]

@@abdulazizhamad3021-He’s sitting right there talking with Kevin.

[@jra.7831]

Way too many commercials dude!

[@KevinBaxter]

I dont control that....thats up to youtube and I can't change it on some 0f the long ones.

[@rabo99]

The speech and video is out of sync for me.

[@Heavy69Metal]

So what’s best to use for a crank to have below 3000ths ans more like 1000th to run a gear drive cam?

[@KevinBaxter]

as long as it's .003 or less, youre good to go. also check backlash. should be .0005 to .001. if you have more than .003 runout, backlash will most likely be greater and make for a more noisy gear drive.

[@Heavy69Metal]

@@KevinBaxter so if .0005 or less to use a gear drive cam that’s .0005 or less both sides correct.