Breaking in a Harley
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
With all of the roller brgs. in Harley motors, there is really not much breakin except for the rings to seat. It is a good idea to crank on the throttle for short bursts every so often to push the rings out against the cyl. wall. They should be seated by about 50 miles as good as they are going to get. After having said that, it is a good idea to very the rpm for the first few hundred just to make sure.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 189
From: east texas
Just ride it .
You have no responsibilty to do anything ..
it is a precision machine , that is covered by knowledgable/honest
dealerships that have wonderfull techs.
no way you need to concern yourself in any way .
All will be fine , or HD will make you happy .
any problem that should occur will be swiftly, and with factory backing , be taken care of at absolutly no cost to you.
You may even be compensated for any inconvenience that might Occur..
signed .....ex Harley salesman
You have no responsibilty to do anything ..
it is a precision machine , that is covered by knowledgable/honest
dealerships that have wonderfull techs.
no way you need to concern yourself in any way .
All will be fine , or HD will make you happy .
any problem that should occur will be swiftly, and with factory backing , be taken care of at absolutly no cost to you.
You may even be compensated for any inconvenience that might Occur..
signed .....ex Harley salesman
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
I followed the salesman's advise. Kept it below 65 for the first 100 miles. He didn't say anything about taking your time to get to 65 though. So sometimes it was slow and easy, sometimes I was there by the time I shifted into 3rd gear. Bike runs great now.
Last edited by DannyZ71; Jan 8, 2012 at 11:37 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 2
From: Florida
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
You will find like so many things in life is opinions on things vary widely.Listen to all you hear then decide for yourself what this new machine means to you.SUGGESTION!!!! Listen closely to the machinists and engine builders if you do not want to follow the manuals suggestions.Good Luck,my methods have always worked for me and I do build all my engines in all my machines.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 646
Likes: 1
From: Rockford, IL
I had to replace a piston in my bike over the summer (I only replaced one because this winter I'm redoing everything). I broke it in per "motoman's" process and when I took my pistons out there is a big difference in sealing between the two pistons. The one that i put in has no visible "burnt" marks beneath the piston rings. The other one that came in the bike when I bought in new has burn marks beneath the piston rings (indicating leakage). Granted the original piston has a lot more miles than the one that I replaced this past summer, but I rode the bike HARD all summer. I'll post some pictures of the two pistons