On the average, how many miles can you get out of a modern harley engine before needing a top end rebuild? My 07 1200L will hit 60,000 this week and wondering when I will need some major work done on it.

 

My 2014 Sportster 1200T is currently at the dealer getting the top end done and I have about 56K miles on it. Fortunately it is still under manufacturer warranty so I'm not having to pay to have it done.

 

Aside from this thread I would say it's up to how well you take care of your bike.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...xpectancy.html

 

That is VERY true! I am religious about oil changes and do not skimp on anything. This is my first bike so I purchased a maintenance package on it through the dealer and have taken it in every 5k miles. I also use synthetic oil which was recommended.

 

There was a time, when I started riding, when a 'top-end' overhaul was routine and regular, but not these days. It is far more likely that our bikes will be towed to a scrapyard before the heads need to come off. Of course many of us can't leave 'em alone and will have the heads modified, but a stock bike has a very long life ahead of it. Why do you ask?

 

Two things
A leak dwn and CR test will tell you what it wants.
No guessing required.
Next the average guy can pull heads and jugs and pistons.
The next part is- how elaborate you want to go on the valve job?
You can go for a NAPA 100 bucks economy, to a Baisley 3000 dollar one.

 

No reason an unmolested and maintained Sportster engine can't go 100,000 miles or more easily. Few people keep a bike long enough to put on that kind of mileage. I've had my bike almost 28 years and will likely never see it on my bike in my lifetime.

John