Ok fellas, I have a dilemma. I pulled my heads so my indy could work his magic on em over the winter. When I looked in the bores I saw scoring on the front of each cylinder. So, I took the heads, jugs and pistons into the shop. He pointed out the embedded metal in the piston skirts. He sent me home to check for play in the connecting rods. Front rod, some side to side play, abt 1/16th", no up and down play. Rear rod, no play at all. I pulled the nosecone off and looked at the plastic breather and there was some scoring on it. The lifter bores, lifters and cam all looked great. I took a magnet and moved it around the bottom of the cam chest and didn't find any shavings.

The bike always burned a little oil (not much). I got it hot on Sept. 1st, while on a Iron Butt ride. After that, it burned about a quart in the next 2k miles.

My question is, should I be ok boring the cylinders enough to clean up the scoring, and new pistons and be done with it? Or should I be concerned about the bottom end. It's a 1996 FLSTN, 32k mi. Thanks.

John

 

Just my opinion, but the bottom end should be good for a long time. I would do the bore and pistons, and replace the inner cam brg. for a good Torrington if it has not been done. 32,000 miles is not a lot for an EVO bottom end. But then, the top end should not be scored either.

 

Rear rod no play at all? That might concern me a bit. How does it feel when you rotate the flywheels while holding the rods? It might be worth the effort to wash the oil out of the rod bearings with a little mineral spirits, then rotate it, and see what it feels like.. Check the play again with the oil washed out too.
Have you changed the oil and filter since you got it hot? Even if you have, it would be worth cutting open the oil filter to see what's inside, and checking the magnetic drain plug, if you have one.

 

I've decided to pull the bottom end out and spend the money to have it gone through. If I don't, i will always be wondering about it. A little more money for what will essentially be a new motor.

 

That is what I would do..just for peace of mind..

 

Yup, what he said....you can't put a price on peace of mind.

 

3rds. Let us know what you find.

 

If you were fishing for piston filings, you would have no luck with a magnet. I would pull the bottom as well. Something isn't right. If it isnt the bearings or bent rods, Your bore might not be strait.
Hatch.

 

My indy called and said it was the crank pin starting to eat itself. So, in go all new bearings and bushings. Oil pump is good but one of VThunder lifters I put in last year has a pretty gritty roller bearing. Hopefully by Christmas, she'll be all back together.

 

Good news, you're obviously doing the right thing!