for 61 cui Models 1915-1923
If you look up old parts manuals, you won't find oversize pistons for the IOE models. Replacing a piston wasn't an easy thing then as Harley-Davidson from 1914 on equipped all pocket-valve engines with conically bored and honed cylinders and cylindric pistons. Of course, oversized pistons were available to dealers, but boring a cylinder was a task that one would maybe like to leave to the factory — and of course the factory offered this service. <br />The then used piston types nowadays not being readily available nor the friendly factory service being offered any more, our range comprises modern oval shaped high strength and highly heat-resistant pistons that are forged from 2618 aluminum and heat treated to T61. <strong>As with all modern pistons the cylinders must be cylindrically bored.</strong> The 30° piston dome will give you about 6:1 compression ratio but may be machined to lower compression to 4.5:1 stock compression rate. .003” clearance — as indicated on the piston packaging — is a good starting point for engines that are low compression, subject to moderate loads and that are broken in carefully. Heavily working higher compression engines may nevertheless require up to .008”.
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