The difference in the Rushmore 103 engines and older 103 engines is mostly in the cams.
Old 103 cams had a lift of .484, Rushmore 103 cams have more lift at .511.

Cam duration has also changed old 103 .198 degrees on intake & .222 degrees on exhaust.
Rushmore 103 cams have a duration of .212 degrees on intake & .233 degrees on exhaust.

That is not the only changes, the Bike has been upgraded in the forks, brakes, seats, and the
fairings were a big design change.

 

Fractional degrees of duration? Must be a typo.

 

But how do you know if the person you are selling to like that is a scam artist or not? If they are, you will be out the bike and the money.

I thought about that too. Would definitely be a lot cheaper than a new bike.

 

Just not sure what I want to do yet. My bike runs great and doesn't have any issues, but those newer ones sure are nice.

 

Rushmore Ultra Classic is not a wethead

 

The biggest issue with the early 103's are using the emission cams in them left over from the earlier engines. It's not all about lift and duration, lobe placement has a big impact on performance as well.


I've seen a few dyno comparisons and a 2014-up 103 with nothing more than a 2 into 1 exhaust upgrade/custom tune will make a solid 20 more hp than an early 103 and at least that much more torque.


I had a 2012 Ultra Limited with a 103 and it was a TURD, no matter how much money I threw at it. Used a BUTT LOAD of fuel as well, one of the worst running and thirstiest HD's I've owned to date.


Instead of going into the engine I had a hot buyer for the bike and sold it. Having to do it all over again I would have changed the cams BEFORE all the aftermarket upgrades, air cleaner, exhaust, tuner, etc. I say this because one of my best friends bought a 2014 Street Glide, added 2 into 1 and had it custom tuned and it outran my bike everyplace. Pretty discouraging after I'd put out twice the money for bolt on stuff and his was better right out of the box and light years better with just a couple of upgrades.......Cliff

 

I had a 2012 Ultra with a 103 and comparing that to my current wet head 103 in my 2014 Limited, the new motor is much improved. Lots more power right from the factory.

 

I say if you are happy with your bike like it is like I was, just upgrade the motor a bit, it wouldn't take much, Some Andrews 48H cams, some headwork and a good tune, maybe 2 into 1 exhaust... 42-3 THOUSAND bucks and you would have a different machine... Just putting the 26 Andrews cams in my 07 was a big improvement...I wasn't looking to break the bank either when I started to look this year so $1900.00 was a good deal for me on a 9 year old bike...
IMHO it's just wasted money to trade a bike that is perfectly capable of going on for a long time... I plan on keeping mine for a while...
Do you have a good Indy shop around?, Can you do some of the work yourself? It's really not that complicated... I took it to the Indy with the Primary, footboard, exhaust, lowers and gas tank off, he did the rest.

 

I really like my bike and it runs really good. I just worry about the longer I keep, the less it will be worth, especially since it already has 101,000 miles. Part of me wants to keep it till the wheels fall off but part of me worries about not getting anything for it when it comes time to get rid of it.

 

Then just don't get rid of it ever. Ride it and keep it after your ready for a new one. Nobody is ever gonna look down on you for having more then one bike except maybe the OL.

Batman