Harley-Davidson's association with sportbike manufacturer Buell Motorcycle Company began in 1987 when they supplied Buell with fifty surplus XR1000 engines. Buell continued to buy engines from Harley-Davidson until 1993, when Harley-Davidson bought 49 percent of the Buell Motorcycle Company. Harley-Davidson increased its share in Buell to ninety-eight percent in 1998, and to complete ownership in 2003.
Whether it is a mechanical, hydraulic, flat tappet or roller style, the lifter is one of the most important components in the engine. The lifter technology determines how the camshaft will react to the rest of the engine combination. And the technology that goes into it is simply amazing.
Basically the intake manifold connects the carburetor or throttle body to the intake ports of the cylinder head and in some cases like the small block and big block Chevy engine, it seals the lifter valley and provides a means of mounting the distributor and water neck. But that is just the tip of the iceberg.