Ultima 127 problem
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,569
Likes: 624
From: deland,florida
we went thru that"ft & rr" **** too with the ross pistons,when i got mine,i sent the ross pistons back and got the mahl ones,kenny sent me some 4.25 ultima torque plates,set them up,havnt had a prob.most of the first 8 or 9 motors were sticking pistons(we installed 1,the rest were sold on ebay),kept calling kenny,he was telling me it was timing,bullshit!!,ive built many pro gas motors with as high as 18.0-1 compresion,1 degree either way of timing off whats called for aint gunna eat pistons.give me a call,we`ve done ALOT of the 127"`s
kirby
(812)876-0155
kirby
(812)876-0155
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Thanks for the info. Waiting to see if they actually send me the parts. Will check on what pistons I get this time and still wonder why they would screw with their rep making their customers fix poor workmanship!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9
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How long did it take you to get the parts and did they send the same replacement garbage?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Cheesehead threw and threw
As I recall it took a couple of weeks and I had a shop do it, not sure on parts, sorry, Good luck.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 12
From: Bluffton, South Carolina
Improper run-ins can also cause failures along with "owner adjustments". We've been using temp sensing dots on our engines to check if an engine was overheated or not, as that can also lead to premature failures.
All I am trying to say is that Ultima in my opinion is trying to supply quality parts at reasonable prices. How may people are riding large displacement engines out there taht would not be doing so if not for Ultima.
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9
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Known failure
I've been working on Harly's for over 40 years and remember when all the after-market engine builders started. They all had teething problems, some of them even went out of business. They all had similar replacement problems as Ultima. In actuallity Ultima has had far fewer problems than most. When you outsource something the suppliers send you samples and you decide which ones you will use. Sometimes you get something different than what you evaluated. A part may be made of a lesser material than you evaluated and you wouldn't know until you had a significant number of failures.
Improper run-ins can also cause failures along with "owner adjustments". We've been using temp sensing dots on our engines to check if an engine was overheated or not, as that can also lead to premature failures.
All I am trying to say is that Ultima in my opinion is trying to supply quality parts at reasonable prices. How may people are riding large displacement engines out there taht would not be doing so if not for Ultima.
Improper run-ins can also cause failures along with "owner adjustments". We've been using temp sensing dots on our engines to check if an engine was overheated or not, as that can also lead to premature failures.
All I am trying to say is that Ultima in my opinion is trying to supply quality parts at reasonable prices. How may people are riding large displacement engines out there taht would not be doing so if not for Ultima.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 12
From: Bluffton, South Carolina
Broke it in by the numbers. Changed oil 4 times in 1,000 miles. Engine has never seen over 4,000 rpm. Too many same failures and should not be rebuilding a $4200.00 engine in 1200 miles. I'm a Service Manager at a Auto Dealer and we see a faulty part, we fix it. Would you accept that on your car?
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5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2009
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The reply was a general one and not pointed at anyone. Comparing a watercooled 4,6 or 8 cylinder car engine to an air cooled 45 degree v-twin isn't even close. At best the design is outdated, but that's what we love about them. You are taking an 80 cubic inch design and adding 50% more cubic inches. How dependable is a 650 cubic inh big block?? Both exterior and interal size restrictions affect durability. If a person is looking for reliability then they should stick with an 80" EVO and enjoy many miles of carefree riding. It wasn't all that long ago that a 96" EVO was a monster motor. Additionally we take every motor apart no matter where it comes from so that we know that the clearances are correct. We consider this cheap insurance for our customers.
Last edited by nieves101; Dec 18, 2009 at 12:36 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I live in the UK and tried to buy an Ultima from one of the popular US dealers a couple of years ago. I'm glad they let me down! Went with an S&S instead and it has held together for 8k miles so far! I also have access to local S&S trained support. With the tales I have read about Ultima I am surprised people are still buying them. The cost of stripping and rebuilding a new Ultima must put them into S&S country?