replace certain parts?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 18
From: SE Michigan
Wheel bearings, yeah, and voltage regulator for sure. It WILL go out and better to replace it in the comfort of your garage. My '91 Electra Glide has almost 70k miles and I just put my third voltage regulator on; stator seems fine.
One trick I saw here on the Forum for the regulator was to "rubber" mount it and run a ground wire directly to the neg. terminal on the battery from the regulator mount rather than relying on the frame ground at the regulator. I used some rubber gasket material to isolate the regulator from the frame as the vibration causes the insulator material to crack. Water gets in the cracks and regulator shorts out.
One trick I saw here on the Forum for the regulator was to "rubber" mount it and run a ground wire directly to the neg. terminal on the battery from the regulator mount rather than relying on the frame ground at the regulator. I used some rubber gasket material to isolate the regulator from the frame as the vibration causes the insulator material to crack. Water gets in the cracks and regulator shorts out.
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 45
i thought it was in 1992 that they used the crappy ina bearing? and bikes before that had the torrington no?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
One other recommendation is to change the lifters when you change the cam bearing (around 40K or so). I had a lifter fail in my 94 at 48,000 miles (stock cam), and ended up losing my first motor, so I'll admit I'm a bit paranoid here. If you install adjustable pushrods and have the service manual, you can do this yourself.
Otherwise, it's just a matter of keeping an eye on the bike, and staying on top of things. My ride has 163,000 miles on it and runs fine on the second motor, original clutch and gearbox. One wheel had the bearings replaced around 120,000 miles, the other wheel has the original bearings. I'm running the second belt and the 4th primary chain (I replace the chain if I'm in the case for any reason). I finally replaced the starter late last year. Everything else has been tires, batteries, brake pads, oil, filters and other supplies, or stuff I wanted to change.
Otherwise, it's just a matter of keeping an eye on the bike, and staying on top of things. My ride has 163,000 miles on it and runs fine on the second motor, original clutch and gearbox. One wheel had the bearings replaced around 120,000 miles, the other wheel has the original bearings. I'm running the second belt and the 4th primary chain (I replace the chain if I'm in the case for any reason). I finally replaced the starter late last year. Everything else has been tires, batteries, brake pads, oil, filters and other supplies, or stuff I wanted to change.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 18
From: SE Michigan
Top End Time?
One other recommendation is to change the lifters when you change the cam bearing (around 40K or so). I had a lifter fail in my 94 at 48,000 miles (stock cam), and ended up losing my first motor, so I'll admit I'm a bit paranoid here. If you install adjustable pushrods and have the service manual, you can do this yourself.
Otherwise, it's just a matter of keeping an eye on the bike, and staying on top of things. My ride has 163,000 miles on it and runs fine on the second motor, original clutch and gearbox. One wheel had the bearings replaced around 120,000 miles, the other wheel has the original bearings. I'm running the second belt and the 4th primary chain (I replace the chain if I'm in the case for any reason). I finally replaced the starter late last year. Everything else has been tires, batteries, brake pads, oil, filters and other supplies, or stuff I wanted to change.
Otherwise, it's just a matter of keeping an eye on the bike, and staying on top of things. My ride has 163,000 miles on it and runs fine on the second motor, original clutch and gearbox. One wheel had the bearings replaced around 120,000 miles, the other wheel has the original bearings. I'm running the second belt and the 4th primary chain (I replace the chain if I'm in the case for any reason). I finally replaced the starter late last year. Everything else has been tires, batteries, brake pads, oil, filters and other supplies, or stuff I wanted to change.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
Yep; 92 is when they changed to the INA. Yours should have the good Torrington. I would not worry about that. I had to change out the regulator on my 99 somewhere around 25 thousand. The bad thing on my 99 Softail Custom is there is no light for the charging system. I left the house one morning, and thought it started a little slow. Got to town, shut it off at a conveniance store, and it would not start. Called my wife to bring the jumper cables, and got it home. Moral of the story; If your starter turns a little slow, don't leave whithout checking your battery voltage.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
Good point, Uncle G. I had forgotten my '91 FLHS got a new top end at 48K because one cylinder was blowing smoke. Total upgrade bored .010 over, Wiseco pistons, upgraded valves, lifters, heads polished, S & S E carb, Andrews midrange cam, adjustable pushrods, bead blasted barrels, etc. I think around 50K miles or so with a stock Harley one might start thinking about that top end job.
Last edited by Uncle G.; Jun 9, 2011 at 09:50 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
