S&S Cycle Alert. Stopping Production And Sales of Steel Lined 4” Big Bore Kits in the USA

“We are saddened to announce that due to concerns related to a potential conflict with a recently issued patent, S&S Cycle will stop production and sales of our Sidewinder 4” Big Bore Kits. Included in the production stop are part numbers 330-0576, 330-0577, 330-0578, 330-0579, 330-0580, 330-0581, 330-0582, 330-0583, 910-0596, 910-0597, 910-0598 and 910-0599. This action is effective December 22nd, 2017. S&S Cycle’s 106” , 107”, 117” and 124” big bore kits are not affected and will remain available for your performance engine demands.” S&S Cycle.

19 Responses to “S&S Cycle Alert. Stopping Production And Sales of Steel Lined 4” Big Bore Kits in the USA”


  1. 1 smithncustom Dec 22nd, 2017 at 10:59 am

    boring or overboring a vtwin for more power is almost a waste… It’s all in the STROKE!!!

  2. 2 SYF Dec 22nd, 2017 at 12:26 pm

    Harley must have patented their 4″ bore bolt on cylinders.

  3. 3 richards Dec 22nd, 2017 at 2:17 pm

    Steel liners? Makes me wonder about the increased possibility of Sleeve an piston ring wear rate. Are either coated/plated/protected in any way to offset the disadvantages of steel, as a “wear” surface; as compared to cast iron cylinders/sleeves? Cast irons graphitic structure is considered a much better wear surface then steel, especially in the presence of high temps, high pressure and minimal lubricantion conditions. I’d be interested to know how they dealt with that issue.

  4. 4 BILL Dec 23rd, 2017 at 9:55 am

    EVER THING I HAVE GOT FROM S&S HAVE BEEN GREAT PRODUCTS .THIS IS MOST LIKELY DO TO A PATENT BY HD THANKS WILLIE

  5. 5 dick Dec 23rd, 2017 at 4:43 pm

    From my experience it is not possible to patent an existing production method that is currently being used.
    Suzuki was able to patent the square four configuration engine. Clearly the design of Ariel motorcycles
    As they had ceased production.
    There is very little that is New in most patents anyway.

    But who wants steel or iron sleeve bores when the advantages of chrome plated alloy bores is so enormous.

    The model T against the space shuttle anyone?

  6. 6 dick Dec 23rd, 2017 at 4:44 pm

    Then again who is Dr pepper?

  7. 7 Zenaldo Dec 23rd, 2017 at 5:30 pm

    Can’t help but wonder who was actually producing this type cylinder package first ? Not just who bothered to get a patent.

  8. 8 Pat h Dec 23rd, 2017 at 9:31 pm

    Power/speed is in the bore smith custom within reason the old school stroker mentality is gone, lower piston speed = happy longer living motor granted harleys aren’t rpm motors but a good over square motor will beat a undersquare motor most of the time,

  9. 9 Pat h Dec 23rd, 2017 at 9:43 pm

    Another stupid fact maybe chevy patented the 4″ bore hahaha alot of small blocks had a 4″ bore gotta be more than bore size going on and as far as plated cylinder walls on harleys I never seen most hold up well as far as seal maybe air cooled to much to discuss here

  10. 10 rebel Dec 24th, 2017 at 12:46 pm

    i believe the production stoppage is due to abnormal wear in this particular product with no apparent explanation, don’t ask me how i know

  11. 11 richards Dec 26th, 2017 at 7:23 pm

    rebel…SEE MY REMARKS ABOVE…Richards

  12. 12 hacksaw Dec 26th, 2017 at 9:57 pm

    richards is saying that S&S is lying about patent infringement? WTF?

  13. 13 S&S Cycle Dec 27th, 2017 at 1:55 pm

    Thanks everyone for chiming in, always entertaining to watch the commentary on CH.

    We’re moving away from this product due to a potential conflict with a recent patent and for no other reason.

  14. 14 richards Dec 27th, 2017 at 7:12 pm

    hacksaw…I did not say that! I said ” I’d be interested to know how they dealt with that issue”. I see S&S also commented with an explanation clarifying the original explanation was the correct explanation. Just for the record, I would still like to understand how they solved the potential wear problem I alluded to (if it’s not considered an industry/S&S propriatory information).

  15. 15 Damian Dec 28th, 2017 at 9:16 am

    Well S&S we’re waiting to hear your explanation as to richards comment about wear and tear.

  16. 16 Someone who actually knows... Dec 29th, 2017 at 4:04 pm

    S&S never had the issues with the steel liner… The company that took the patent out however, did and does suffer from those issues. Although an argument could be made for the installation causing many of the problems people have experienced. The cylinder wall on the steel liners is about 1mm and is very susceptible to damage during install.

  17. 17 richards Dec 29th, 2017 at 8:06 pm

    Someone who….I can see your point with respect to very thin walled liners being damaged/distorted at installation. Makes sense…On the other hand it raises more questions as to why such a delicate liner design for that kind of application; and doesn’t explain how they may have dealt with the adhesive (scuff) wear that I asked about. I guess it will remain a mystery in my tiny brain forever. Thanks for trying…

  18. 18 Rhino May 9th, 2018 at 5:50 am

    The question is to buy or not to buy???.Some places are selling old stock.Would you buy this product?

  19. 19 Rhino May 11th, 2018 at 11:02 pm

    My question is to S&S why was it only the 110 big bore kit that was stopped??.Thanks

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Cyril Huze