I understand that if I don't want to worry about it and for piece of mind, it's a must. But is it necessary?

I'll be throwing a ported and flowed, tall cam, and 95" at the DX (05) soon. Expect to be at or just above 100HP, and I'll want to, not only use but, abuse all 100 of em. Am I gonna end up scissoring my crank? Is the Timken upgrade alone worthy of the time and money to split the cases?

Thanks.

BTW, not really interested in a stroker.

 

I had 109 hp and 122 torque on my softail with the stock crank and never had an issue. I also know others with the same and no issues. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

So 95" with cams & ported/flowed heads? What compression you gonna run?

If you're thinking it's gonna be over the 100hp mark & ride hard, then yes I would weld/true the crank with Timken lefty bearing.

Expensive and time consuming...yes, but if you're gonna be over 100 it would be a good idea IMO.

 

If you are going to really "abuse" it, then yes get your crank fixed up and the Timken. If you are just going to "hot dog" it a bit and not go too crazy, then I would just check my crank run out and decide whether or not to do something based on the reading.

 

yes upgrade the bearing (lefty will work fine) and weld/true... i have seen prob 10 guys that where not even 100/100 this summer alone that now have out of phase cranks... see it allthe time. do a google search you will see what i mean. split them 100% or you will do it later when you have to rebuild your motor again. Unless you are going to baby the bike, then there is no point

 

I would split the cases, and then bore them for larger bore while everything thing is apart. just my two cents

 

I purchased an '03 new and started adding torque. heard of the left bearing problems early on but it wasnt happening to mine. Then all of a sudden on a road trip with my son, he was on the '03 and I was on my'13, the '03 started sounding like it was dragging a chain. New oil pump, lifters, pistons, and a hot forge plugged, welded and balanced set of wheels later she is ok.

Bottom line is in my opinion, if you are not stock and you use the added torque you will scissor the flywheel asm sooner or later and later always cost more.

See my profile to see my 95" scissored wheel asm

 

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/engin...-twin-cam.html

 

Needless to say you got your answer.

I definitely beefed up my lower end casue I wanted to use the **** out of the money I spent building it....why add crazy power to take a Sunday stroll.

Crank can be messed up on a stock bike, not just modded, but it all goes back to how you ride.

 

`Depends upon just how much "abuse" you`re gonna throw at it. If you`re gonna do a bunch of clutch dumping drag races, you`ll be at risk of slipping your factory crank and it`ll be all downhill from there......