My S/E Road Glide (now with 127,000 miles on it,) still runs great and I'm working to keep it that way. Some background: I replaced the original S/E 203 cams at 81,000 miles with Andrews gear drive 26's s along with the stock lifters ( now running Black Ops.) And next weekend (45,000 miles later,) I will replace the lifters, install the original stock pushrods ( there's no need for adjustables with Andrews 26 G cams, (and stockers don't never come loose.)) I've ordered the Cometic rocker box gasket kit which includes the breather rebuild kit too. That leaves me with the original rocker arms. The 127,000 miles on them, rocker arms.

Never touched, never serviced, and still quiet, but I'm sure there's wear to be found when I get in there. My question is pretty simple: Do I get a set of new shafts and arm bushings at the ready? Or even a whole new set of arms and shafts complete? Or maybe everything will still be in spec?
( Somehow I doubt that...) So what happens to rocker arms as they wear?

I've never gone this far with the miles before so I have no point of reference or the experience to know what to look for. And I'd like to be as ready as possible so that the install is a one day process if possible.

So if you have any experience to share about my rocker arms, I'd appreciate the input. Thanks!

 

Doubt you have the tools for rebuilding them. I hit thiss wall myself.

 

S&S makes some nice forged non roller rockers for $100. Id do that or go stock. I bought a set of take off's with 10k on them for $35.

 

The problem is first you have to line hone them the machine hone them with a Sunex hone and most machine shops dont have that machine unless they do a lot of high end bike motor work.

 

I looked on Ebay and found a couple of affordable sets ( even one with a set of roller rockers,) just in case I needed that option.

I thought you'd have some experience to offer!

How did yours look at 118,000?

Thanks soft.

 

Really good. Still wanted a fresh set. Never had top end chatter.

 

If it's quiet it still good right? !!!

I'm leaning towards replacing the arms and shafts just on principle. The pads have to show some evidence of wear by this time and the side to side movement has probably increased too. (And we're not talking about that much money.)

 

They make shims for side to side play. Look at the wear on the valve arm but with those miles just replace them. Oh and the cool thing about S&S ones the bushings are 3/4 instead of 1/2 wide. Make for less wear down the road. You dont need roller tips till you start going into high lift cams.

 

Just bought these. I'll pull it all apart next weekend.

And you're right, it'll make me feel better too! Thanks softy...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/330895978446...84.m1497.l2649