I just read this reply on a you tube video comparing Harleys to metric cruisers . I found it shocking to say the least and taught I should post it as a warning to twin cam owners . is it a load of bull or is this for real ?




Hear we go .




I agree with some of what you said, however, here are some facts abut the "New" Harley, Twin Cam Engines, produced since 1999 to the present are:THEY ARE A FATALLY FLAWED ENGINE DESIGN. Here are a few of the reasons:1. All the flywheel assemblies are merely pressed together, with a 400 ton press, there is no crank pin bolt and nut to hold the two halves in true, unlike all previous Harley, big twins prior to 1999. The flywheel assemblies WILL come to of true, sooner, rather than later.


This will cause the primary and pinion shafts to wobble more than the maximum allowable tolerance of 0.001", as any competent Harley mechanic can tell you and will destroy the shaft bushings and bearings and cam plate bushings and oil pump rotor bushings. Catastrophic engine failure will occur.When run out exceeds more than 0.003" damage begins to occur. I have seen engines with as little as 1,500 miles out of true, 0.007"-0.012".


It will crater the engine.THE ONLY SOLUTION: When buying a new Harley, tear down the engine and send it to a performance specialty shop, where they will dynamically true, plug and weld the two flywheel halves together and achieve a max run out a shafts end of no more than 0.001". So, first thing to do when you get your brand new Harley is tear it's heart out and fix it.2.


All Twin Cam engines operate two silent chain drives, one to operate the oil pump and one inboard the cam plate to operate the two cam shafts. The silent chains, inherent flaw is that the silent chain tensioners consist of a PLASTIC tensioner, rubbing against a METAL chain. Are you rocket scientist still with us here?Imagine cruising at 3,000 rpm and seeing the PLASTIC tensioners rubbing against the dynamic METAL chain, as you know, one will deteriorate, over time.


Guess which one it is or in this case which two will wear out and must be periodically inspected and replaced when the wear reaches, 3/32" of wear or 50% of the original pad thickness.And it is a very costly procedure, where the exhaust system must be removed, the fuel tank, the rocker boxes to take out the push rods to access the cam plate and remove the camshafts to replace the little bitty PLASITIC tensioner. And while you are doing that you must replace the stock junk INA cam bearings and replace then with the reliable Timken tapered roller bearing or more trouble will follow.


If the pads are not inspected or replaced due to ignorance on the Harley owner's part, and the pads break, as they often do, into little pieces, they are inducted into the junk stock oil pump, will barely puts out more than 3-8 psi of oil pressure, at idle, (why Harley Twin Cam engines run so hot), they will crater the oil pump after it sends the little pieces of plastic into the crankcase and cylinders and immediate catastrophic engine failure will occur.


Imagine cruising on your great looking Harley as the cratered oil pump spews out, 250 degree, or higher, temp, oil all over the rear tire.........what a great thrill ride, he/she will have........if they survive the crash.THERE IS NO SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM AS IT IS INHERENT TO THE TWIN CAM DESIGN (SILENT CHAINS WITH PLASTIC TENSIONERS).3. The Twin cams run so hot that they have the potential to cause a rider's pants leg to catch on fire, and cause 2nd and 3rd degree burns, as has already happened. That is why Harley now sells heat shields for the rear cylinder to hood it and it also has a sensor which shuts off the rear cylinder when idling in traffic.


So where is this great "potato patatoe" Harley sound now?SEE ALL THE YOU TUBE VIDEOS ON THESE PROBLEMS POSTED BY HARLEY OWNERS THEMSELVES.As for Harley being made in America, did you know that more Harley's are being manufactured and sold in India, at their factory there to sell to the Indian Sub-Continent. More motorcycles there than in USA. What a great marketing idea for Harley.They are a multi-national giant corporation where the bottom dollar rules, forget the MADE IN AMERICA, propaganda, it's a global economy, and they are not thinking about America, thinking about all the foreigners on their bikes.


Remember, too, that the HARLEY V-ROD, was a German Porsche company designed engine. Not an American creation.I too, love the look and sound of a Harley Davidson, that is why they are so seductive, like a temptress, but, at least be aware of the facts and then decide what you want to really ride.The poor guy, can no longer afford a Harley, like the old days, only the doctors, lawyers, surgeons and other bar hoppers and weekend warriors, and wannabes, can afford to buy these overpriced bikes.You used to go buy a great brand new Ultra Glide classic with all the bells and whistles in the late 50's and early 70's for less than 2 grand.Remember: CAVEAT EMPTOR-"LET THE BUYER BEWARE".
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I am not trying to stir it up just taught it might make for an interesting discussion .

 

Yeah, this has been brought up a half dozen times. No reason to do it again. If you need more info do a search on it.