S&S Cycle, Inc.

Instruction 51-1115
4-23-06 235 Causeway Blvd
La Crosse, Wisconsin 54603
Copyright © 2001, 2005, 2006
by S&S Cycle, Inc. Phone: 608-627-1497 • Fax: 608-627-1488
Technical Service Phone: 608-627-TECH (8324)
All rights reserved. Technical Service Email: [email protected]
Printed in the U.S.A. Website: www.sscycle.com Because every industry has a leader

Installation Instructions:
S&S 90-4915 Electric Compression Release
®

(US Patent No. 6,557,510)

DISCLAIMER: IMPORTANT NOTICE:

S&S parts are designed for high performance, off road, racing Statements in this instruction sheet preceded by the following words
applications and are intended for the very experienced rider only. The are of special significance.
installation of S&S parts may void or adversely effect your factory WARNING
warranty. In addition such installation and use may violate certain Means there is the possibility of injury to yourself or others.
federal, state, and local laws, rules and ordinances as well as other laws
when used on motor vehicles used on public highways, especially in
CAUTION
states where pollution laws may apply. Always check federal, state, and
local laws before modifying your motorcycle. It is the sole and exclusive Means there is the possibility of damage to the part or motorcycle.
responsibility of the user to determine the suitability of the product for
his or her use, and the user shall assume all legal, personal injury risk and NOTE
liability and all other obligations, duties, and risks associated therewith. Other information of particular importance has been placed in italic type.

The words Harley®, Harley-Davidson®, H-D®, Sportster®, Evolution®, and S&S recommends you take special notice of these items.
all H-D part numbers and model designations are used in reference only.
S&S Cycle is not associated with Harley-Davidson, Inc. WARRANTY:
All S&S parts are guaranteed to the original purchaser to be free of
SAFE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION RULES: manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship for a period of
Before installing your new S&S part it is your responsibility to read and twelve (12) months from the date of purchase. Merchandise that fails
follow the installation and maintenance procedures in these to conform to these conditions will be repaired or replaced at S&S’s
instructions and follow the basic rules below for your personal safety. option if the parts are returned to us by the purchaser within the 12
month warranty period or within 10 days thereafter.
● Gasoline is extremely flammable and explosive under certain
conditions and toxic when inhaled. Do not smoke. Perform installation In the event warranty service is required, the original purchaser must
in a well ventilated area away from open flames or sparks. call or write S&S immediately with the problem. Some problems can be
rectified by a telephone call and need no further course of action.
● If motorcycle has been running, wait until engine and exhaust pipes
have cooled down to avoid getting burned before performing any A part that is suspect of being defective must not be replaced by a
installation steps. Dealer without prior authorization from S&S. If it is deemed necessary
for S&S to make an evaluation to determine whether the part was
● Before performing any installation steps disconnect battery to
defective, a return authorization number must be obtained from S&S.
eliminate potential sparks and inadvertent engagement of starter while
The parts must be packaged properly so as to not cause further damage
working on electrical components.
and be returned prepaid to S&S with a copy of the original invoice of
● Read instructions thoroughly and carefully so all procedures are purchase and a detailed letter outlining the nature of the problem, how
completely understood before performing any installation steps. the part was used and the circumstances at the time of failure. If after
Contact S&S with any questions you may have if any steps are unclear an evaluation has been made by S&S and the part was found to be
or any abnormalities occur during installation or operation of defective, repair, replacement or refund will be granted.
motorcycle with a S&S part on it.
● Consult an appropriate service manual for your motorcycle for correct ADDITIONAL WARRANTY PROVISIONS:
disassembly and reassembly procedures for any parts that need to be (1) S&S shall have no obligation in the event an S&S part is modified by
removed to facilitate installation. any other person or organization.
● Use good judgement when performing installation and operating (2) S&S shall have no obligation if an S&S part becomes defective in
motorcycle. Good judgement begins with a clear head. Don't let whole or in part as a result of improper installation, improper
alcohol, drugs or fatigue impair your judgement. Start installation maintenance, improper use, abnormal operation, or any other misuse
when you are fresh. or mistreatment of the S&S part.
● Be sure all federal, state and local laws are obeyed with the (3) S&S shall not be liable for any consequential or incidental damages
installation. resulting from the failure of an S&S part, the breach of any warranties,
● For optimum performance and safety and to minimize potential the failure to deliver, delay in delivery, delivery in non-conforming
damage to carb or other components, use all mounting hardware that condition, or for any other breach of contract or duty between S&S and
is provided and follow all installation instructions. a customer.
● Motorcycle exhaust fumes are toxic and poisonous and must not (4) S&S parts are designed exclusively for use in Harley-Davidson® and
be inhaled. Run motorcycle in a well ventilated area where fumes other American v-twin motorcycles. S&S shall have no warranty or
can dissipate. liability obligation if an S&S part is used in any other application.
 NOTES 4. Make sure that the supplied compression washer is held
● S&S® compression releases are intended to be installed only in its groove in the valve body. The washer must remain
in cylinder heads machined specifically for S&S compression in this position when the compression release is held in
releases. Stock or other aftermarket cylinder heads may not a vertical position. If it does not stay in position, a very
have enough material in required areas to allow machining small amount of white lithium grease between the
for S&S compression releases washer and the valve body will hold the washer in place
● S&S electric compression releases can only be used in during installation. See Picture 2.
conjunction with S&S die-cast rocker covers or a similar
rocker cover with a center hole or chimney. The chimney
provides clearance for the solenoid which activates the
compression release. Compression washer
● Due to the overall length of the compression release must remain in the
assembly, variations in frames, and the limited space groove in the valve
between the heads and the upper frame tube, it may be body during
difficult to install the compression releases with the engine installation.
completely assembled in the frame. These instructions are
written assuming there is enough clearance to allow an in-
frame installation, however in some instances it may be
necessary to install the compression releases with the lower
rocker cover in place, or to remove the engine from the
frame. It is suggested that if possible, compression releases
be installed during engine assembly or before heads are
installed on engine.
Picture 2
A. Installing compression releases
1. Remove rocker covers. 5. Thread the compression release into the pre-machined
mounting hole. Hand tighten as far as possible. Make
NOTE: When engine is installed in the frame, there is normally sure the compression washer remains in position until
enough clearance above the heads to install lower rocker covers the compression release contacts the head.
with the electric compression releases in place. In some cases,
depending on engine height and frame type, the lower rocker 6. Slide the bottom half of the S&S special socket 53-0046
covers may need to be left on the heads, and compression over the lead wires and onto the compression release
releases installed with lower rocker covers in place. In cases of assembly. Position the socket so it is on the hex portion
very limited clearance it may be necessary to remove the engine of the compression release. See Picture 3.
from the frame, and reinstall the engine after the compression
releases are installed.

2. Remove the supplied 14mm hex plug from the top of

the cylinder head. Inspect the machined hole to make
sure that it is clean and free of debris. See Picture 1.

Special S&S two-piece compression release socket 53-0045

allows in-frame installation of S&S compression releases
and protects wiring from damage during installation.

Picture 3
Remove threaded plug to install
S&S compression release. 7. Slide the top half of the special socket 53-0047 over the
lead wires and onto the bottom half of the socket so
that it locks in place.
Picture 1 8. Make sure the compression washer is seated properly
before final tightening is done. Torque the compression
3. Apply a small amount of anti-seize type thread lubricant release to 32-37 ft/lbs.
to the threads of the compression release. Compression
9. Remove the socket halves carefully so the lead wire
releases are identical and can be installed in either
insulation is not damaged.
cylinder head.
2
B. Route Wires And Install Protective Silicone Cap
CAUTION
1. Slide protective sleeve over compression release wires. If
compression releases are being installed with rocker Failure to cover the lead wires as directed may result in
boxes installed, it may be easier to install the protective damage to the lead wires, which will reduce the life of the
sleeve after the wires have been routed. compression release.

2. Route the lead wires down the side of the compression

release and under the rocker box. Pull the wires towards 6. Connect the lead wires to the Deutsch connector. Push
the area between the cylinder heads. the wires into the connector until they click into place.
Either wire can go in either hole in the connector. Firmly
3. The lead wires must be positioned so they do not
pull on the wires and connector to make sure they are
contact either the spring or plunger on the top of the
locked into position. See Picture 6.
compression release. See Picture 4.

Route wires so they do not

contact spring or plunger.

Picture 6
Picture 4
7. Position the orange connector wedge into the open
4. Spread a very thin layer of oil on the inside bottom 1⁄2”
area next to the pins, and push until it clicks into place.
of the silicone cap. This will greatly aid in assembling the
See Picture 7.
cap over the compression release.
5. Slide the silicone cap over the compression release and
lead wires. It may be necessary to use a screwdriver to
push the cap into position if the lower rocker cover is in
place. CAUTION: Do not puncture the cap during
installation. The cap should be pushed over the
compression release and lead wires until the bottom of
the cap is below the level of the rocker box base. All
exposed areas of the lead wires should be covered,
either by the silicone cap or the protective sleeve. Do
not slide the cap on so far that the top of the cap is in
contact either the spring or plunger on the top of the
compression release. See Picture 5.

Do not slide Picture 7

cap down too
far. Slide the 8. Repeat procedure for the other compression release.
cap over body
until it is just C. Install Wiring Harness
above spring 1. Connect the compression release solenoid lead wire
and plunger. connectors to the wire harness connectors. Either
compression release connector may be plugged into
either connector on the wire harness. The green wire of
the wire harness will be the powered wire and the black
wire will be the ground wire.

Picture 5
3
 2. Slide the supplied 4-foot black sleeve over the wire 10. Strip the green wire and one wire from the fuse holder.
harness until it reaches the connectors. Note that in Connect together with supplied butt connector. After
future steps you will need to cut the sleeve to allow making sure the wires are held firmly, position the
access for a fuse holder. shrink-wrap over the joint. Heat the shrink-wrap until
3. Position the harness so the compression release lead the joint is sealed.
wires are not being pulled tight. Once the best position 11. Repeat the last two steps to connect the remaining green
is found, zip-tie the connectors and end of harness wire to the other end of the fuse holder, if fuse holder is
securely to the frame to prevent movement. not to be connected directly to power connection.
12. Install the small piece of sleeving over the green wire or
4. Using relay circuit diagram in Figure 1, locate on your
fuse holder wire until it touches the fuse holder.
motorcycle, the wiring connection point shown on the
diagram. This will be between the starter relay and the 13. Attach the green wire or fuse holder wire to the power
starter solenoid. connection point shown on Figure 1. Use either the
supplied ring terminal or a connector of your choice.
14. Locate a ground connection for the black wire. Cut and
strip the black wire and attach either the supplied ring
GREEN WIRE terminal, or a connector of your choice.
CONNECTION POINT
15. Connect the black wire to ground.
16. Once all connections are made, use zip-ties to firmly
GREEN
hold the wire harness and fuse holder in place. Again
WIRE make sure the harness has not been positioned so that
it can be cut, crushed, abraded, or otherwise damaged
by any operation of the motorcycle.
BLACK
WIRE D. Operation
When the starter button is pressed, current is supplied to the
compression releases, which causes them to open. As long as
the starter button is depressed, the compression releases will
receive current and remain open. When the starter button
Figure 1 is released, current is no longer supplied to the compression
releases, which causes them to close. When compression
5. With one end of the wire harness already secured to the releases are open they bleed off cylinder pressure and make
frame, work out a routing position for the remaining it easier to turn the engine during starting. When the
portion of the wire harness. Make sure the wires will not compression releases close, cylinder pressure is contained in
be positioned where they may be crushed, cut, abraded, the combustion chamber, and the engine will run normally.
or otherwise damaged by operation of the motorcycle.
The black wire will need to be routed to a ground, and Replacement Parts
the green wire to power. ● 90-4915 Release kit, compression
6. Find a suitable place to splice the supplied fuse holder into ● 90-4914 Release assembly, compression, electric
the green wire of the harness. The fuse holder should be ● 50-7094 Washer, compression, 14mm
mounted as close to the power source as possible. ● 55-1009 Cap, solenoid, silicone
7. Once the position of the fuse holder has been ● 55-1010 Harness, wiring, compression, release
determined, cut the sleeve at that position. Be careful ● 55-1502 Connector, Deutsch, male - DTM06-2S-E004
not to damage the insulation of wires inside sleeve. Save
● 55-1503 Wedge, connector locking – Deutsch #WM-2S
the cut off part of the sleeve to protect the wires
leading from the power connection to the fuse holder ● 55-1504 Socket, Deutsch
after the fuse holder is spliced to the wire harness. ● 55-1508 Connector, Deutsch female – DTN04-2P-E004CH
8. Cut the green wire of the harness where it meets the ● 55-1509 Wedge, connector, locking- Deutsch #WM-2P
fuse holder lead wire. ● 50-0045 Kit, compression release, socket
9. Slide one of the supplied pieces of shrink-wrap onto the ● 50-0046 Socket, compression release, bottom
wire harness lead wire. ● 50-0047 Socket, compression release, top