How Many Miles Before Replacing Lifters?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,129
Likes: 12,691
From: South Carolina
Never mind, I see what is going on here.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Jul 28, 2020 at 04:44 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 817
Likes: 380
From: Central Ohio
Say what you will. Reason I didn't say fact, was I don't have proof. Nobody probably does, but Napa has a couple grades of filters, so does Wix, Fram, Bosch. And I've spoken with a Wix Rep when he came into the old man's parts store, and that's what he told me. So I don't have written proof, but he also had no reason to lie to us
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 185
From: Mountain West, Big Sky Country
Lifters
Well, my .02, for what it's worth. This is my schedule, my money, my bike. Every 25k, routine maintenance. I run high lift cams (.590 to .650), and don't want to take the chance.
Background
2 separate Harley engines, with lifter failure. One a 110 at 15k. One a 103 at 12k.
Both got ridden the same way, both purchased new, both regular service. Both got high-quality synethic oil.
One destroyed cam and metal through engine, one cracked the case and I did a complete engine replacement.
So my schedule, every 25 k. New S&S lifters, 2 hour change, no worries.
change over winter break, I ride about 25k a year, so this is an annual maintenance item
Most will not agree. But $200 for lifters is way cheaper than 5k for a roadside R&R or trading bikes while on a trip.
Flame away.
Background
2 separate Harley engines, with lifter failure. One a 110 at 15k. One a 103 at 12k.
Both got ridden the same way, both purchased new, both regular service. Both got high-quality synethic oil.
One destroyed cam and metal through engine, one cracked the case and I did a complete engine replacement.
So my schedule, every 25 k. New S&S lifters, 2 hour change, no worries.
change over winter break, I ride about 25k a year, so this is an annual maintenance item
Most will not agree. But $200 for lifters is way cheaper than 5k for a roadside R&R or trading bikes while on a trip.
Flame away.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
I just towed my buddies 2015 out to our indy yesterday with 25K on the clock. Lifter exploded and metal is all the way into the oil pan. This will be the 5th CVO in the last 9 months they had in there with grenaded lifters that scattered debris throughout the engine. Needless to say he is looking at a bill that would pay or a lifetime of swapping lifters out.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,091
Likes: 7,611
From: Poolville
For a stock motor you can probably get away with 40 to 50,000 mi. If you're building a motor with high lift cams with high spring pressure on the valves 25,000 is a damn good idea.... Period.....
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 286
From: Buford, GA
I just towed my buddies 2015 out to our indy yesterday with 25K on the clock. Lifter exploded and metal is all the way into the oil pan. This will be the 5th CVO in the last 9 months they had in there with grenaded lifters that scattered debris throughout the engine. Needless to say he is looking at a bill that would pay or a lifetime of swapping lifters out.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,893
Likes: 8,002
From: poway
One of the thing to note is that the 99C HD lifters are not that good for life. For one they use a different way to hold the roller pin in place. A buddy had one fail. I think the aftermarket ones are like SnS Premium, Johnson Hylift and Comp cams are better.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 384
From: Arkansastan
You could essentially say that about any modern push rod lifter nowadays. Yet I don't see Chevy or Ford owners replacing their rollers every 25K, either. If it makes you feel better, change tehm. But show me anywhere where it is a scheduled change item on any mass-produced motorcycle or car engine. If there is a fault of the manufacturing process, like a bad piston, or bad lifter, then a once change out I can see, but I threw a set of S&S premiums on my ride. There is no scheduled time to remove them later down the line that I am aware of, either.
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