It's New Years Eve 2002 and catch up time on the Shrunken FXR, as if I'll melt if I don't cross the line by midnight. And I'm going to lower the boom on you. It wasn't intentional that Giggie, from Compu-Fire, came to the Bikernet Headquarters to help install a Compu-Fire charging, starter and ignition system. He added showing us the benefits of installing S&S solids in the 88-inch Rev Tech engine. That would seemingly be enough, but since the starter involved the BDL inner primary, Giggie was snagged into helping with the belt drive installation. That's not all. As you will see in some of the shots we have Joker Machine forward controls installed, but we've always considered mid-controls. Unfortunately for the master machinist, we asked for Giggie's impression and knowledgeable notions. He dove right in and you'll see the outcome here. There's even more, but let's get started.

I've been running Compu-Fire Electronics for several years and will continue to do so. The systems are flawless and a breeze to install. I've learned to trust their components and enjoy a single-fire ignition. My discussions with Giggie ran into starting problems I had encountered before. He pointed out to me that new hydralic systems bleed down as engines cool which closes valves when you want that puppy to fire to life once more. That's where the S&S portion of this tech began.

Here's the deal. If the valves are closed while the starter motor is desperately trying to turn over the engine, especially a performance unit, it's a bitch. The compression is over the top, and the electric motor is fighting an up-hill battle. The battery is being stressed. This situation is caused when the bike sits and the hydraulic lifters bleed down. Once it fires to life that situation is relieved.

Giggie has been testing and improving starter systems for the last three years with Compu-Fire. They are developing the most electrically efficient systems on the market, but discovered this hitch in the driveline system with the jammed valve train which puts undo pressure on an otherwise fine starter motor and battery. We made a date to install the new Compu-Fire Starter, but in addition, four little rings from S&S would slip into the Rev Tech hydraulics. Since this Custom Chrome engine had non-adjustable pushrods we had to order a set of Rev Tech aluminum adjustable pushrods. We removed the rocker cover and arm assemblies to free the pushrods.

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