2014 Heritage Softail 103 Model B Twin Cam has 'a bit' of a vibration, 95000 km. The owner changed out the motor. Seeing that model 'B' means balanced engine, could it just be a 'balancer' repair solution to the vibration?
Is it worth the repair at that mileage? What kind of mileage do you get out of a motor like that these days?
Thanks
Looking forward to some discussion on this.

 

We need more specific information on the motor. So is the 95Kkm on the motor that was replaced? Has the vibration always presented or just recently presented? Any modifications to the motor?

Could be a balancer issue; the sprocket that controls the balancer assembly can slip as it is an interference press fit on the crank. A major repair as the motor must be removed, cases split and whatever the problem is repaired.

 

Yes, it's the original engine that has 95k kms on it, not the replacement unit. I am considering buying the original engine.
I am checking into the other info you asked for.
Thanks

 

The vibration just recently presented. It has a stage 1. Other than that awesome engine... no other mods

 

OK, I am confused, so help me out. Apparently there are two motors; one in the bike that is vibrating and that motor replaced the original motor that has 95Kkm on it but mechanically is OK, no vibration or any other known mechanical issues. If that is the case; why was the original motor replaced?

How many miles on the replacement motor (the vibrating motor in the bike??) The fact that the vibration recentlly presented is troublesome but because the motor is vibrating doesn't necessarily mean that balance mechanism is the source. There are motor mounts, swing arm bushings, the motor touching the frame somewhere and other such maladies that could cause a vibration. If the balancing mechanism is the source, the vibration is usually fairly severe and can make the bike unrideable.

 

Sorry for the confusion.
The motor that was vibrating has 95k km on it, and it has been pulled from the bike, and replaced with a new rebuild.
The vibration is not present in the bike now, so that might count out a bunch of those other reasons for the vibration that you mentioned.
The seller of the motor said the vibration is in the bottom end, which is what made me wonder about the possibilities of the balancer.

I will see if I can find out if the vibration was severe enough to halt the ride.

 

OK, thanks for the explanation. If the vibration is severe and it presented at about 95Kkm, it is very likely a balancer issue. Unfortunately, the only way to be certain would be to split the cases and take a look. Since softail motors are hard mounted to the frame, the vibration from a balancer system gone south is pretty unpleasant. Why do you want to buy the original motor?

 

The vibration wasn't severe enough to stop scooting around town but they wouldn't do any long trips.
Could the balancer have gone out just a bit, not presenting a severe vibration?
We want to fix the motor to use in another project; haven't decided yet.

 

Yeh, anything is possible but if the sprocket slipped, it would very likely get worse. The only way to tell for sure would be to split the cases and take a look. Since the motor is out of the bike, it wouldn't take long to break it down and check. Seems the motor is a liability in the current state, so why not?

 

That sounds great. I will split it. I will let post you when I get a wrench on it. So it'll be a matter of if and how far it slipped.
If it's something else I expect maybe a bent conrod or a bad bearing or a cranknut or...? Can I expect to see the wheels drilled or weighted or something?
Thanks