Ultima 127 problem
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,569
Likes: 624
From: deland,florida
your not that all off target,my ultima 127"s ok,but after building motors and having a shop/machine shop for 25 years, i aint pushing them any more,even more after kenny francis left the ultima program.cant argue with S&S powerplants.
kirby
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kirby
Last edited by prodrag1320; Dec 18, 2009 at 06:23 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 12
From: Bluffton, South Carolina
I said we check "all the engines" we get . I don't care who makes then, if we are part of the warranty chain, we check them. That's how you keep your customers happy, and your reputation intact.
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Ultima 127 Poor quality parts
Tore down my blowed up 127 today. Will say cases are pretty good, crank is ok. Looks like it would be a quality product if the did not install Ross pistons and a very low quality lifter and rocker. They sent me a set and I bought a set of rev tech lifters. Major difference in quality. Same with the rockers bought Jims and not even comparable. A few dollars more when builing it would keep their name from beeing trashed.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
As I read through this thread I was seeing how great Ultima was for replacing the parts out of warranty (I guess so with 3,000+/- miles).And,I`ve seen folks rationalize parts failures.But,it`s the same part and what will they do when their little common problem roaches your motor?I bought a`90 Heritage new.It wasn`t until 11 years later that my engine failed due to a bad left case casting that I should have been advised about.I never would have put all the work into the motor if I had known.They had just recently stopped warrantying them before mine failed..for like 10 years.I am in no way saying HD is great on warranty.I feel I got screwed and wouldn`t give Harley a dime for another engine part on that bike.I just thought I`d point this out since I read how Ultima is so great with backing it up,unlike HD.
I bought a 96" S&S because they are #1 and have been good to me for .decades.They`ve been building Evos longer and have worked problems out.They source out less parts than the rest and my motor was built by one of their guys in-house.I personally would never want an engine over 100".What`s the point?Maybe it`s just me but I feel guys are just caught up in the numbers.We have an 11.0 second 80" FXR that disappoints alot of big inchers.I like getting all I can from less inches.I have guys notice my S&S always ask how many inches.When I tell them 96 they often say,"That`s enough".Enough?I have to laugh.No doubt it`s more than "enough".80" is enough and I thought 74 was enough before that...still do.
I bought a 96" S&S because they are #1 and have been good to me for .decades.They`ve been building Evos longer and have worked problems out.They source out less parts than the rest and my motor was built by one of their guys in-house.I personally would never want an engine over 100".What`s the point?Maybe it`s just me but I feel guys are just caught up in the numbers.We have an 11.0 second 80" FXR that disappoints alot of big inchers.I like getting all I can from less inches.I have guys notice my S&S always ask how many inches.When I tell them 96 they often say,"That`s enough".Enough?I have to laugh.No doubt it`s more than "enough".80" is enough and I thought 74 was enough before that...still do.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: FL
If you don't, buy adjustables and cut old ones by bolt cutter. (I read it in installation manual).
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Expensive crap
As I read through this thread I was seeing how great Ultima was for replacing the parts out of warranty (I guess so with 3,000+/- miles).And,I`ve seen folks rationalize parts failures.But,it`s the same part and what will they do when their little common problem roaches your motor?I bought a`90 Heritage new.It wasn`t until 11 years later that my engine failed due to a bad left case casting that I should have been advised about.I never would have put all the work into the motor if I had known.They had just recently stopped warrantying them before mine failed..for like 10 years.I am in no way saying HD is great on warranty.I feel I got screwed and wouldn`t give Harley a dime for another engine part on that bike.I just thought I`d point this out since I read how Ultima is so great with backing it up,unlike HD.
I bought a 96" S&S because they are #1 and have been good to me for .decades.They`ve been building Evos longer and have worked problems out.They source out less parts than the rest and my motor was built by one of their guys in-house.I personally would never want an engine over 100".What`s the point?Maybe it`s just me but I feel guys are just caught up in the numbers.We have an 11.0 second 80" FXR that disappoints alot of big inchers.I like getting all I can from less inches.I have guys notice my S&S always ask how many inches.When I tell them 96 they often say,"That`s enough".Enough?I have to laugh.No doubt it`s more than "enough".80" is enough and I thought 74 was enough before that...still do.
I bought a 96" S&S because they are #1 and have been good to me for .decades.They`ve been building Evos longer and have worked problems out.They source out less parts than the rest and my motor was built by one of their guys in-house.I personally would never want an engine over 100".What`s the point?Maybe it`s just me but I feel guys are just caught up in the numbers.We have an 11.0 second 80" FXR that disappoints alot of big inchers.I like getting all I can from less inches.I have guys notice my S&S always ask how many inches.When I tell them 96 they often say,"That`s enough".Enough?I have to laugh.No doubt it`s more than "enough".80" is enough and I thought 74 was enough before that...still do.
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Australia
127 Ultima
I have a 127 Ultima with only 3500Ks on it & developed a squealing noise down below.Its had noisy tappets from the start but i assumed it had solid lifters,dopey me.I have taken off the oil filter to find it full of metal so I'm expecting to find shagged cam,followers,oil pump & more,hope not much more.Now that Ive read about a lot of common problems with Ultima i wished i spent more money a had a motor built with quality parts not cheap crap.PS emailed Ultima for advice but i must live too far away for them to worry about me.(Update)Had a email from Matt at Midwest,he has check my motor with the engine No & has said the lifters were part of a service advisory & they will replace all damaged parts.I didn't expect this,it should of happened in the first place but it will be interesting to see what quality gets sent out.Have to admit that they are really trying to make things good.
Last edited by G.H; Feb 2, 2010 at 06:19 PM. Reason: Had reply from Midwest
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
My wife and I covered 2,500 miles on vacation last June, travelling through Europe to Czech Republic and Slovakia. Ain't no Harley or S&S dealers out there, nor Ultima for that matter. We plan doing a similar trip in May and want the confidence in our bike that it will give us a trouble-free ride. Can't put a price on that, no matter how good a manufacturer is at replacing broken parts! If you don't travel far from home you might be happy with a suspect bike, but....
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
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