The world of custom motorcycling is truly infinite, and the number of ways you could modify your sled’s appearance and performance is limitless. Unfortunately, not all of us have the time, skills or resources to morph our motorcycle into a high-performance work of art. However, there are plenty of modifications that don’t require a million dollars and a degree in motorcycle technology to make. A bolt-on turbo system is one of those upgrades.
A turbo system is a quick way to add horsepower to your bike without adding a noticeable amount of weight. A turbo system adds power by compressing the air that flows into the engine. This allows more air to enter the engine, causing more fuel to be burned and, as a result, more power is made. A Stage 1 Trask Touring Turbo System can add up to 50 horses and up to 50 lbs of torque to your American V-Twin.
In addition to their performance benefits, turbo systems are also fairly simple to install. Here’s how you do it (if you want to skip straight to the video just scroll to the bottom)
- Step one: Install the oil pressure adapter. To do that, you’ll need to remove the oil pressure switch from the front of the motor, and then replace it with the adapter from the kit. Fasten the recently removed oil pressure switch to the bottom of the oil pressure adapter, and then screw the feed fitting into the top of the oil pressure adapter.
- Step two: Remove the outer cam cover,
and replace with the cam cover included with the kit.
- Step 3: Bolt the head pipe to the engine.
- Step 4: Attach the drain line to the turbo charger.
Then attach the drain line to the newly installed cam cover’s drain port fitting.
Then set the turbocharger down on the four-bolt flange.
- Step 5: Fasten the tailpipe to the turbocharger,
and to the transmission support bracket.
- Step 6: Install the plenum chamber. First, put the breather bolts into the heads,
Then, grab the plenum chamber, and bolt it to the breather bolts and throttle body.
Put the Velocity stack into the plenum chamber, and tighten it.
Finally, attach the outer cover to the plenum.
- Step 7: Bolt the intercooler to the rocker box. Fasten the rocker box mounting to the rocker box. Mount the intercooler to the rocker box.
Pre-cut your hoses to match the distance between the intercooler and the mounting bracket,
and then secure the intercooler with the four hose clamps.
- Step 8: Slide the air filter onto the front of the turbo, and secure it with a clamp.
That’s it! check out this video installment of Buffalo Chip Garage featuring Nick Trask of Trask Performance demonstrating to Buffalo Chip Challenge™ participants how to install a Stage 1 Trask Touring Turbo System. It’s something you can do to your own American V-Twin over the course of a few hours.
In addition to Nick Trask of Trask Performance, many of the motorcycle industry’s top companies supplied world-class parts and services for the 2015 Buffalo Chip Challenge. Special thanks to Keith Terry, Dakota V-Twin, Baggster, American Iron Magazine, AirFX, Arlen Ness Enterprises, C.P. Carrillo, Dirty Bird Concepts, Dakota Digital, Danny Gray, Dave Mackie Engineering, Dave Perewitz, Diamond Heads, Fueling Parts, Handy Industries, Hawg Halters, Inc., Hofmann Designs, Horsepower, Inc., Hot Leathers, Jack Van Kampen, Jamie’s Repair, Klock Werks, Legend Air Suspensions, MTX Audio, Owens Interstate Sales, Paul Yaffe’s Bagger Nation, Perewitz Cycle Fab, RC Components, Thunder Max and Vee Rubber America for contributing to the program.
If you’re looking to upgrade your motorcycle’s performance, be sure to check out Trask Performance. In addition to a variety of custom turbo systems, they carry body and engine parts and exhaust and airflow systems designed to make your bike reach its performance potential.
If you want a chance to bid on the 2014 Harley-Davidson Road King featured in this tutorial video, make sure to reserve your pass for the 2015 Legends Ride®. A second wave of passes just became available; so don’t miss your opportunity to join the Ride that Rocks™.
Do you perform your own upgrades and installations to your motorcycle? Tell us what you’ve done in the comments below!
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