Harley Pistons & Piston Rings

The distinctive Harley V-Twin’s “potato-potato” all comes from the piston. To keep that legendary thump going strong, Your Harley piston plays a crucial role in the combustion process. Any imperfections can cause serious performance issues and can eventually cause engine failure. The piston needs to hold tight and consistent tolerances to the cylinder walls and head to create enough compression for combustion. As Harley’s engines have evolved over the years, so has the pistons in them. Aftermarket pistons are made to be as strong and light as possible to be able to handle higher rev limits, higher compression and to be able to dissipate heat much more efficiently.

Replacing the pistons in your V-Twin should not be a common occurrence. But every once in a while, it is needed or preferred. Damage to the piston is the least fun reason for replacing them. Any chips, cracks, scratches, warping or deformities can lead to catastrophic failure to the rest of the engine. Also, if any of these happen, it’s wise to check for damage to other components. The more fun reason for swapping pistons is for better performance. High quality aftermarket pistons may be desired or even needed if you are making performance modifications to the engine. You need a piston that can handle higher compression, higher revs and higher heat. Big bore kits are also available to increase the displacement of the engine.

Whatever the reason is for you needing to replace your Harley pistons, you have come to the right place at Dennis Kirk. We keep the most options from all of the top brands in stock and ready to ship to you the same day that you order. That way, you can have your engine rebuilt as soon as possible. And when your order is over $89, we will ship it to you for free. Use the Ride Selector at the top of the page to find all of the parts that fit your specific Harley. Also, feel free to contact our knowledgeable Tech Team if you have any questions on which parts are best for your and your motorcycle.