Need to evaluate a new engine? To convince all the custom motorcycle scene to use it? Just ask a couple of well-known Custom Builders to build a custom bike fitted with your new motor and send them speeding around a racetrack. It’s exactly what Custom Chrome did with their brand new RevTech 125”, proposing Builders Fred Kodlin & Marcus Walz to use and abuse it by spinning like mad men on the famous 
German Hockenheim racetrack (home of the German Formula 1 Grand Prix). Fred Kodlin, well known for his extreme motorcycle-creations, created a completely new very low, very compact rigid frame prototype. Marcus Walz implanted the engine into his rigid “Hardcore“ chopper frame, painted after James Dean’s legendary Porsche “Little Bastard“. At the last news, the engine loved the test and the 2 builders appreciate even more the legends that raced on the same track. Retail prices in the US range from $4,799.99 to $5,459.99 with a choice of finishes: Natural, Black Wrinkle and Polished. In standard and 49 states compliant versions. Custom Chrome 125” Rev Tech Engine.(photography HRF Horst Rosler).
Yeah, I think I’ll keep using proven motors with a long history of proven performance.
Well may be it’s just me BUT!
RE:
“…use and abuse it by spinning like mad men on the famous German Hockenheim racetrack…”
So, “use” it they may well have…..
However, “abuse” it on a GP course, in a scooter with a 10″ over front end…???
This sound a tad over-the-top.
Having built and ridden 4″ over, 6″ over, 10″ over & 12″ over customs, seems that anyone who could “abuse” that extended front end on a road race circuit would have to be super human.
About the only thing one could do with that 10″ over custom shown above is to “Drive” it around the track……. and that simply ain’t abuse.
Now putting em through rush-hour traffic in LA……. on a HOT summer day….. that would be real abuse.
IMHO anyway……. 🙂
-nicker-
In addition to what Nicker says, this motor should be dropped into a bagger and run, non-stop Miami to L.A. and back. Video the oil change and show the results. Keep repeating the process until failure. That will evaluate any new engine and convince all the custom motorcycle scene to use it.
This certainly is a good initial step in ones test.
A segment of my products testing is done in Death Valley in summer as this is in extreme heat. Most of the automobile mfrs (including the Europeans and Asians) in the US are seen out here testing their products. It is not only the extreme heat but also the extreme steep and long mountain grades that will bring out any weaknesses. But the really big challenge is can one take the challenges of the surrounding environment better than ones motorcycle. It is an experience that you’ll never forget.
I’m all for a cross county run, but why not include one of the V-Twin® replica Knuckle or Panhead motors in there too.
Call it the “Endurance Run of “Minimum Wage” Mechanical Abilities of China vs. U.S.A.”
There’s No Way a slave-labor minimum wage Chinese mechanic can built a tighter motor than a minimum wage mechanic from the USA. Whaddayanuts?
Our minimum wage “assembly mechanics” from NY and K.C. have a better food diet than a minimum wage Chinese slave-labor mechanic. Our min. wage mechanics eat steak and eggs, the Chinese guys eat fishheads and rice. Their physical and mental endurance wans early in the day.
Though we, on a 74 inch stock Pan motor can’t “run even” with a big cube motor on the road (A 125 c.i. motor at 65 mph is not the same as a 74 c.i. motor at 65 mph), we will “crush” the Chinese motor in endurance (even though our internal parts are made in China). Our replica crankcases are made by STD® (USA) and are far superior to anything “furrin”.
Organize a queue of riders on both coast and continue running the motorcycles back and forth across the U.S. until the pistons explode through the cylinders or or a flywheel shaft lets loose and blows a gaping hole in the crankcase.
Rev Tech ..YOUR INVITED …
Smoke Out 10 “The Long Road”
Departs….
Sunday May 10th , 2009 506 Cottonwood , Az Santa Rosa , N. M.
Monday 11th , 427 Santa Rosa , N., M. Oklahoma City , OK
Tuesday 12th , 243 OK City Clarksville , AK
Wednesday 13th 440 Clarksville Nashville , TN Thursday 14th 259 Nashville Maggie Valley , NC
Friday 15th 237 Maggie Valley , NC Rockingham , NC
Party every night on the road and a 2 day party in Rockingham .
See you there ???
Ray
Revtech ……. didn’t these guys just try launching a missle … whoooops … that was the Koreans. Same family of friends I suppose.
Over & Out,
Jeff
Jeff. If you put all the Koreans in the same country, you are as illeterate as Bush. Missile? North Korea. RevTech? South Korea.
Smoke out 10 “The Long Road” is an excellent idea. That is a much better indicator of the motors durability. What are the R.W. horsepower/torque ratings on the 115″ or the 125″? Anybody know?
Buy S&S they are made in the good old USA. when was the last time a Korean paid your bills. Support Americans and in return they will be able to buy the products that support you and your family. Its really that simple. besides what do they mean ” 49 states compliant versions” Does that mean that these engines won’t pass California Emissions or EPA ? and if so it is only a matter of time before no where in the USA will be able to use them. So why buy them when S&S is EPA approved and as they say at S&S “PROVEN PERFORMANCE”. I have a bike with an S&S engine and I can tell you it has been abused and never has it left me stranded. So for me i will stick to what I know is quality and just as important to me made in the USA.
I like the idea of an endurance test. Any mfg that wants to prove their product should just go on a documented Iron Butt Assc ride like the 48 states in 10 days. Victory sent one of their engineers on a full fledged IBA (11,000 miles in 10 day ride) with one of their new (interesting looking) baggers.
Just to prove you can have a good looking custom that is also reliable, Redneck engineering rode one of their Undressers (120″ JIMS twin cam “B”) from SC to Bonneville, Raced it in the run what ya brung class and rode it home. 5500 miles or so round trip and 132mph on some of the worst salt conditions they have had in years.
My point is: coast to coast or round the world durability runs used to be how manufacturers backed up their claims. It still works. Go for REV-TECH!
Brandon,
In the United States we have the North and the South …. we are all Americans ….. surely you can figure this analogy out on your own without much help!
Over & Out,
Jeff
A lot of educated people on this blog. 😉
Always the same guys making silly comments.
How is a life as a “full time blogger” anyway?
Do you have a sponsor or how do you make a living?
Reading the facts first would certainly help…!
Let’s go riding
Ps: 115 and 125 – assembled in the USA using American and overseas components like all the other aftermarket engines including HD…
yawn- i doubt there’s a single korea/china bashing person on here that isn’t wearing something right now from those countries. get over it.
give the motor a chance.
every rider has to start somewhere- not all can afford the us made mills.
in a few years, it might even get you your next buyer- you know, all those young (and old right now) people who don’t have the dough right now to buy american.
Anybody from CCI care to comment on RW horsepower & torque numbers? I know you guys are out there
I for one gave the Rev Tech a chance and it didn’t make it. Plus the Rev Tech dealer had to remove the Rev Tech and send it all the way to Custom Chrome for repair. Took just ove a month to get it back from Custom Chrome. Too much bullshit and too much time. Sticking with S&S from now on.
Why no love for TP engineering engines? I’ve used them in the past, love the look, performance, pricing. and customer service from these guys in Connecticut.
(OK guys at TP, send me my 20 bucks for spreading some Love around for you)
“Professional Bloggers” is right…some just need to do their homework a little more and ease back on the negative trigger finger before entering judgement on something that is just now being introduced into the market. Feel fortunate that Research and Development is going on during times like these and some still find a way to keep introducing new products and designs to the market.
According to some above, does this mean we need to stop using products from BMW, Volvo, Audi, Sony and other Non-American owned companies? Throw away your cell phone, iPod, flat screen televisions, computers and the likes then. Fact of the matter is the Korean based Dae-Il came in and helped keep a previously American owned company from disappearing from this industry. Something others have not been as fortunate to have. Now they finally have an owner who leaves the motorcycle business professionals to run an American based company and support a partner they have done business with for some 25 years. Loyalty and strong relationships count in my book. This industry needs Custom Chrome to survive and do well and I know the media, vendors and dealers are all pulling for them.
Furthermore, Custom Chrome is listed as one of the sponsors of the Smokeout with their Jammer line and would bet they will be part of the party. I don’t know if they’ll have a bike do the ride this time out or not but know they’ll have customers representing and riding the RevTech brand during this event. They’ve been a strong supporter of the Smokeout and other motorcycle events for a long time.
TP, S&S, Patrick Racing…all great powerplants in their own rights but not without at least some imported part they need to complete the job. What about the motor company??? American made VFI modules, electrical components and suspension parts? I don’t think so…
As stated earlier by someone who does do their homework…assembled here in the states by American craftsman using foreign and domestic parts alike. Their Pan and Shovels have been built here all along.
Are we done now???
WELL said… I have to agree with the above stated. WE are ALL guilty of to some degree in regards to “owning” products made overseas. We cant be blind and ignorant to the products and items that we take for granted everyday and not understand that it came from somewhere else OTHER than the good ole’ US of A.
I buy as much as I can from the US, but AGAIN, we are all guilty of buying product whether it be your socks, forks, computer screens, hell even cigaretts or liquor from outside sources.
Open your mind and your eyes and not your mouth next time.
Professional Bloggers?? SO true… LOL
Well said ‘Staying Positive’. I’m using my Dell lap top right now. It says made in Malaysia right on the back. We’d be hard pressed to say we only buy American. A lot of things sold in all our big department stores are imports. Cars, parts, clothing. Even HD has imported parts to parts. I’d like nothing better than to have enough bucks to call S&S and say send me a 124. Then they’ll say what credit card would I like to hit for the 8 or 10grand I’ll be dropping? And I just can’t find that spare cash right now. So RevTech’s 5499 sounds pretty good. Point is, we all do it, and way back when Toyota first came out, a lot of folks said the same thing. Now its Custom Chrome. They’re bringing us riders a product we CAN afford. I have already purchased mine. A 110 replacement for the ol’ evo. Been happy with it. If it blows, I guess I’ll pay or replace, but so far it’s been great, 4 years now. Thanks Custom Chrome. Keep the R&D work going. A lot of us appreciate it.
IAM GETTING READY TO PURCHASE A 03 REVTECH 110 , IN A CHOPPER FRAME. I NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT PERSONAL OWNER SHIP OF PEOPLE WHO OWN ONE.ENG . PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR OPINION. THANKS MULE ( U.S.A.) CORN FEED
Been abusing the *&%$@+crap outta my ’94 FLHTC w/110 Revtech & 6spd for FOUR YEARS now (6 rear Metzelers, 1 S&S rear belt, and 3 BDL clutches), NO issues with the motor or tranny! I’d love to give a 125″ a try…
88″ Revtek my friend has is still running great from lots of abuse the past 5 years. Motor out runs my 09 Street bob with 96″ HD motor every time, sorry i am buying a 125″ Revtek for the next bike I build. is brother also has a 100″ revtek that runs great.
Also thanks to AMF Harley Davidson is still around…………
Hi. We are an authorized dealer for S&S, Revtech, Ultima, TP, and have used pretty much every motor on the market on our own builds. We have been in business for 10 years and I have seen the reliability do complete turnaround.. In the past 5 years the Revtech gets better and the S&S get worse.. We have had countless Revtechs in Bobbers, Choppers, & baggers with no issues & running strong.. S&S quality was great but now they come right out of the crate not torqued to spec, loose pushrods, tapping, etc… Have had 10 to 1 S&S problems vs. Revtech. Don’t get me started on Ultima motors & transmissions… I’m exhausted from warranty claims on them.. My suggestion is get a Harley crate Evo for a light bobber, 96″ S&S if you are stuck on S&S, or anything in the Revtech line and you won’t be dissapointed.. I have the 125″ in a bagger now but just finished the bike and can’t comment on the performance yet but as an FYI the Revtech 125″ and 115″ started as a TDC rocket by the Driveline Company and they have been out for 2 years now… One of our techs has a 100″ revtech in a bagger and has 80k on the motor and is not just redoing the top end. A friend has a 110″ we sold him 4 years ago in a Ultra Classic and rides it hard.. Has put approx 30k on it with zero issues and loves it.. He rides in extreme heat and year round in the cold.
As far as the buy in the US.. I’m all for it… I have all American made cars and always have but it’s because i like them and am happy what i get for my hard earned dollar. When a US manufacturer starts being lazy, overpriced, and doesn’t offer us the best bang for the buck its UN-American to patronize their business.. If we don’t demand more from US manufacturers at better prices they will just work slower and blame the overseas companies… There are tons of hard working American Companies but I just get tired of hearing from shops that work 25 hours a week complain about the economy. Kinda like a road crew when you drive by.. 1 guy working and 10 shootin the s**t…
Done about 10k miles on a 125 now and have gone through about 8 back tires and 4 dry clutch baskets! Ran it in according to the book (using mineral oil), and use Amsol synthetic now. I always warm it up before i thrash it and had issues of the compensator coming loose on long runs, but nothing else so far to report. Had a sticky compression release that i cleaned up and re installed recently. The rod bearings in these big beasts wont last as long as a stock evo, but you get that when u choose power over longevity.
Want to take it in the shorts buy a TP I did and I’m very sorry.
What is the horse power rw and compression ratio on the 125” revtech?
Friend just emailed me today about his oil leaking tp sigh 🙁 same old case problem they have had for years come on tp get it together and stand behind your motors.
Friends don’t let their friends ride tp’s
Thanks
Since Revtech is the topic ,heres one. I just finished a 4 year build with a Revtech 100 4X4. The motor has 4000 miles and the the electronic module just got ate up by the rotor. The magnets,bolt head, and rotor were laying in the bottom of the cone. Yes, the rest of the bolt is still in the end of cam with probably lots of locktite. I called Custom Chrome but haven’t got a call back yet. I know , I am at their mercy. If they help me great! If they don’t, looks like a new module,rotor and a new cam if I can’t get the bolt out. Oh well WTF!!