When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Engine Mechanical TopicsDiscussion for motor builds, cams, head work, stripped bolts and other engine related issues. The good and the bad. If it goes round and around or up and down, post it here.
Hi All, I picked up this 88 FXR a few months back (fairly roached, been sitting 9 years on a guys back deck under a torn cover) had some work done to it at some point. Andrews EV3 Cam, Jims lifters, ect who knows what else at this point, haven't gotten too far yet..
I started tearing it down and noticed the cam bearing journal appears cracked and has surface damage. I believe it's probably old damage (prior to the cam update). There was absolutely no metal anywhere and the breather valve gear is perfect as well as the cam and pinion gears.
The question is, am I looking at new cases or some kind of repair work or run it as is?
Thanks for your time!
BobO
Yeah it's a goner.. What happened? Did the crank pin nut let go or did you shear the crank pin?
Not sure, I've never ridden it, just bought it to resurrect a few months ago. And after researching fleebay for cases I notice that 99% of them have the same (what I thought was "Damage" with that missing metal above the cam bearing) I never knew that was a thing.. But as pointed out by eighteight those little cracks are making me worried. I'll clean it up and scope the inside to see if the crack goes through and go from there. Either way, it's not looking good.. Thanks fellas
Something strange has gone on with it but I couldn't make a guess from pic 1. The "missing metal" is more than original but there is a gap up there - normal. If the cam bearing is totally tight and the cracks don't go all the way thru, I'd run it or split them, weld and re-bore the bearing hole. They're not a boat anchor from what I can see so far.
Here are a few pics I dug up of an 85 case I just had split for restoration. On yours there appears to be cracks but like Dan89 said clean it real good then examine.
Well there you have it! After a light scrub with some solvent the "Cracks" magically disappeared! (I swear I felt an edge with my fingernail before, but the surface has texture so who knows...)
I guess the lesson here kids is to make sure you clean the surface before jumping to conclusions! Thank you all!
Well there you have it! After a light scrub with some solvent the "Cracks" magically disappeared! (I swear I felt an edge with my fingernail before, but the surface has texture so who knows...)
I guess the lesson here kids is to make sure you clean the surface before jumping to conclusions! Thank you all!
Before and after cleaning
That's great news, good for you!! Have fun with the restoration you plan on doing. I'm finishing up a 85 FXWG for a friend and I just purchased an 89 FXRS that's mine and I will be restoring that as well. Here is the link to the 85 restoration if you're interested. I'm planning on starting the bike this weekend so fingers crossed. More pics to come on that thread.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
88 FXR - Is this case toast?
