The death of my Harley Davidson Engine.

After over a year and a half of trying to get the Harley to work out on my plane, I finally accepted the fact that it was not going to fly.

• Even though the engine is a counter balanced engine, I could not get it to run smooth.  It vibrated to the point that I could not read my gauges.  The Harley has a 10:1 compression ratio.  With that high ratio, and with only two large pistons, the power pulses were just too large for the small plane to handle.

• I purchased a 95 inch engine which was supposed to be approximately 108 hp.  It would not pull a prop set up for the 100 hp.  I tried three different props, all set for that horse power.  With a 68" three blade Warp Drive prop set at 12 degrees it would only pull 2800 rpm static.  A 100+ hp engine with a 1.7:1 PRSU should pull at least 4K.  The only way I could get it to pull the 4K was to lower the pitch to 7 degrees.  Therefore I could only conclude that I was sold the 80 hp engine.  Remember I tried three different brand props.  The best static run I ever got was an engine rpm of 3000 with only 300 pounds of thrust.

• I don't who made the mistake of not putting the big bore kit on my engine.  But, I was scammed by some one.  It was either Brett Ray with Hog-Air or his supplier.  He has only offered to help me sell it, not to refund my money or any part of it. 

• Considering the above, I cannot in good conscious sell this engine to another aircraft builder or recommend a Harley setup to anyone.  I am going to build an airboat with this engine.  Perhaps all is not lost.  Larry