Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Do the SM's get Quicker with Milage

I have about 2,000 miles so far on my Speedie, and it seems likes its pulling much harder that it did when it was newer with less miles. Past 5,000 rpms feels like a much harder and sustained pull. Have yall noticed this? Does it keep getting any better???

Yes
Yes
and Yes
I have 17,000 on my 03 SM and every mile is better than the one before.

You also picked the fastest color!

Yeah, that engine loosens up quite a bit as it wears on in.

I did an oil analysis at 12k and again at 16k miles, and the reports came back a bit high in lead content, which the lab says is normally attributed to the breaking in of new engines. The lead level was lower at 16k than it was at 12k, and the engine has never felt or performed better, even though I couldn't tell any difference during that time period, it was very apparent earlier on when it was new.

I will do another analysis at 20k just to check the trend, then I may only do one every 3rd or 4th oil change after that. Using full synthetic may indeed have some benefits!
(I have only used Shell Rotella-T Full-Synthetic 5w-40 since I drained the break-in oil at 500 miles, changing every 4000 miles like my owner's manual says.) I have heard that using full synthetic is not the best thing to break in a new motor as it does not allow the rings to seat properly early on.

Keith, I've been riding my Harley a little more lately than the Speedie. I guess thats why when I get on the Speedie I just think its getting faster!!! Actually, the Harley (2005 Springer FX) pulls like a tractor on steroids - up to about 3,500 rpms, then they just run out of power. The Speedie is gagging for gas at 3,500 and wants to be rung out. Maybe I just have gotten used to the Harleys rather undramatic power curve and think that the SPeedie is getting quicker, but it does seem to be pulling much harder lately.

SenseiKeith, Crane Cams and Comp Cams have a remedy for that 3500 rpm poop-out problem. The Harley cams are not nearly so expensive as Triumph the ones, either.

I'd say it should once it's loosened up a little.
You'll probably get slightly better fuel ecconomy too.

Oh yes, mine definetly feels a lot faster since I bought it three years ago. Must be true!

My SM did get faster(pull stronger) after about 2K.
Unlike me that just thinks I get faster the older I get.
Mark

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You'll probably get slightly better fuel ecconomy too.

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Yeah, but that can be fixed...