Motorcycle Repair: Shovel Head Bolts, fxe 1200, jp pistons

Question
QUESTION: Hi there, read your info on how to tighten the Heads down on a Harley Shovel.First you said, 1, tighten down heads. 2, Then when you get the bike up to working temperature re tighten the heads again. My question is should I then wait until the Engine is cold or tighten the as soon as possible.
Hope you can put me straght on this matter.
Thankyou.
    Peter Chandler


ANSWER: Tighten them up as tight as you can get them. Go for a ride and get the bike up to temp. As soon as you get back, while the motor is hot, tighten them up again.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Mike,
  Hope you can help? I have a 1979 FXE 1200 Shovel with a Andrews B Grind, 10 to 1 JP Pistons, S & S Super E, K & N Filter and 27" x 2 3/4 Drag Pipes with H P Baffles. My driving style has changed and I want more power lower down. I have a Number 3 Andrews cam the Duration is a lot closer what do you think? I have been told by Andrews its a good cam and will work. I just would like a 2nd opinion, in the UK there no one to ask.
 Thankyou for your help.
        Peter Chandler  

Answer
The number 3 cam from andrews is designed for a low compression engine and wont work very well with you 10-1 pistons. If you want a little more power at low end you need to get rid of the drag pipes and get a tuned exhaust. Drag pipes work well at high RPMs, but rob the bike of power at low RPMs
Good luck and happy riding
Mike