Dead engine after 50K miles
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
We never know how one treats there bike,, We all have seen some people do things to their bike that the average person just shakes there head at...
We also know some don't keep up on the maintenance side either.. then when something brakes, they sure can bit(h.
My wifes step Dad was a good business man, New Cadillac bought every yr. One of them back in the 80's was smoking at idle, I checked the oil, it looked like burnt molasses. I asked him when did he last change the oil...
His answer was I never change the oil in a car. I just add some when its low....
He said remember,,, "I buy a new one every yr",,,,,, I'd hate to buy any vehicle he had owned..
That one had 47k on it then...
We also know some don't keep up on the maintenance side either.. then when something brakes, they sure can bit(h.
My wifes step Dad was a good business man, New Cadillac bought every yr. One of them back in the 80's was smoking at idle, I checked the oil, it looked like burnt molasses. I asked him when did he last change the oil...
His answer was I never change the oil in a car. I just add some when its low....
He said remember,,, "I buy a new one every yr",,,,,, I'd hate to buy any vehicle he had owned..
That one had 47k on it then...
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
Get a second opinion before they touch it. Something just does not sound right. It is a very simple push rod engine that is capable of 100K before rebuild.
It's history has been that for decades.
Dealer must need $$$$$$
It's history has been that for decades.
Dealer must need $$$$$$
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
Me thinks tensioner bits clogged the oil passages.
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 313
Likes: 3
From: UT
The chains are roller chains not the plates like the pre '07 - 96ci.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
Thank you for that important addition that I forgot about. Big asset to the system. Almost bullet proof. If I still had the older style, I'd convert before going to geardrive (used to be the only option). They now sell conversion kits. Similar cost to gear drive.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 104
From: Mississippi
In all due respect...No way would this come under the lemon law.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 104
From: Mississippi
I used to have a 1980 BMW R80G/S. It had 220,000 miles when I sold it. The current owner now has over 300K on it.
I still have a 1971 XS650 with 170,000 miles on it. I don't ride it much anymore, but only because I ride my Harley more.
I used to have a 1974 Bonnie that I sold with 160,000 on it.
50,000 miles and a Harley V-Twin dies? And guys here are saying that is normal?!
Man, please pass the kool-aid. I want some of that!
I still have a 1971 XS650 with 170,000 miles on it. I don't ride it much anymore, but only because I ride my Harley more.
I used to have a 1974 Bonnie that I sold with 160,000 on it.
50,000 miles and a Harley V-Twin dies? And guys here are saying that is normal?!
Man, please pass the kool-aid. I want some of that!
With the proper maintenance the twin cam will probably last as long as the other bikes that you have owned...As mentioned before the cam chain tensioners need to be checked at around 25,000 miles...At our shop we strongly recommend it to our customers...Once the chain wears through the tensioner guide and the chain starts running metal to metal it is just like filling your engine with metal filings...If you own a pre 07 twin cam get the tensioners checked about every 25,000...I have seen them last up to 40,000 but that is pushing it...The sad thing is checking the tensioners is not in the service schedule and it has been overlooked by many shops until the past few years...So in this case 50,000 miles if the tensioners haven't been replaced it is a safe bet that that engine is scrap metal...It had to have been making a metal to metal scraping noise on the right side of the engine while running...So who is the blame?...The Motor Company? The shop that does the service? or the guy that owns the bike and rides it with the engine making all kinds of strange noises until it seizes up?
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
With the proper maintenance the twin cam will probably last as long as the other bikes that you have owned...As mentioned before the cam chain tensioners need to be checked at around 25,000 miles...At our shop we strongly recommend it to our customers...Once the chain wears through the tensioner guide and the chain starts running metal to metal it is just like filling your engine with metal filings...If you own a pre 07 twin cam get the tensioners checked about every 25,000...I have seen them last up to 40,000 but that is pushing it...The sad thing is checking the tensioners is not in the service schedule and it has been overlooked by many shops until the past few years...So in this case 50,000 miles if the tensioners haven't been replaced it is a safe bet that that engine is scrap metal...It had to have been making a metal to metal scraping noise on the right side of the engine while running...So who is the blame?...The Motor Company? The shop that does the service? or the guy that owns the bike and rides it with the engine making all kinds of strange noises until it seizes up?
While I agree...the owner is ultimately responsible...the MoCo or Dealer has never advised me of this issue. I learned about it on here. But checking them is not exactly difficult.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 7,079
Likes: 21
From: Queens, NY
if you go thru the appropriate channels and you're still staring at a 4K note for a "remanufactured" engine, you should walk out the door and contact a reputable builder and say "i have 4 grand, and i want to spend it all..."