Not much sense or cents here, so I'll bite. Why is the 2002 crank bearing issue overblown? I didn't know it was an issue really, I just thought it looked like one of the years that was "done right" and offered a better base for future upgrades. I've learned to respect your experience Spanners, so what is your opinion on different years of the TC's, with a nod toward the B versions?

 

On the forums, this one included, people get hung up on changes that may be seen as counter productive and you get people (often with little actual experience) going on about how the later bikes are unreliable because of this or that thing....the crank bearing is one.

What is true is that the earlier bottom end is stronger but 2002 up bikes are not blowing up every five minutes, they last a tolerably long time and here in NZ most people don't even know there is a difference.

However, if fitting a stroker kit or doing a real hot tune, you would want to do the conversion, which is available from Screamin' Eagle.

Its a bit like the Torrington/INA inner cam bearing thing....the INA lasts for ages unless you get hot and heavy with the cam.

You get the same issue with Twin Cam inner cam bearings and again, stock or stage 1 bikes are generally fine.

I wouldn't be put off buying a 2002 upwards bike because of it.

 

That makes perfect sense to me.

Just for clarification, I thought 2002 was the last year for the Timken crank bearing, rather than the first year without the Timken. No actual experience, just what I read so correct me if I am wrong please.

 

Maybe a little bit.
I fixed an '06 Heritage and then rode it back to the owner.

Granted it was a lot smoother than mine but it just didn't feel right.
The closest I guess I could describe it is a disconnect from the ride.
It was kinda like floating down the road and I didn't like it at all.

As for not noticing the lost horse power that is a load of crap that bike felt slow and sluggish compared to mine.

 

Last with as far as I know, might have been unclear in my reply.

 

Just doesn't feel right without the buzz.

I wanted to buy a 2002 CVO Wide Glide FXDWG2 in the worst way but the stock 88 just doesn't have any *****, just no torque down low. Beautiful bike but I could't justify the cost to make it run right. They are nice with a 95" kit and cams.

From what I understand the 2002 crank is better if you're gonna build it up.

 

There are a lot of factors that could cause that....yours being better set up for one, the other bike having more stock parts and not being as well-thrashed as yours is.

 

Well thrashed?????????

 

it means well ridden, hogs get faster as they pile on the miles

 

Let's see, I have all three. I have 1998 Softail Custom, a1997 Ultra Wide One, & a 2008 Electra Glide Ultra. My 1998 Softail did vibrate a lot between 60 to 90, but I put a RevTec 6 speed tranny in it and all vibration was gone, even over 100MPH. My 1997 Ultra Wide One is built on the Fat Boy Style with a 96 S&S motor, and yes it vibrates wildly at 70 & 80. My 2008 Electra Glide Ultra rides smooth as silk from 0 to 110, I have no problems with this one. This just an evaluation of how my bikes handle and I hope you can use some of this information for your question.