Help.. flipped piston
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,586
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
That was my second guess unless someone was spraying water in it thinking it need de-carbed. It was probably just scorching hot seizing on that cylinder at wide open throttle at the bottom. When it locked, the other working cylinder yanked it 90 degrees. Would not have happened in a longer skirt motor but it would have still damaged it. My guess is that motor is a good boat anchor. The picture of the other piston for no more miles looks like it shows wear from rubbing and not sliding on an oil film. Could have been there there was not enough clearance. A full race engine needs a lot of clearance. Sounds like they are ready to fall apart and are short lived. Not much of a street bike for most. Just my opinion.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 641
Likes: 0
From: Down the road a bit in Texas
When I saw the thread title I wasn't sure what I would see but man I've never seen that before and didnt think it was possible without the piston disentegrating.
Cant add anything that hasn't been said.
Gotta show the pics to a couple of riders here at work. Wow....
Cant add anything that hasn't been said.
Gotta show the pics to a couple of riders here at work. Wow....
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
From: "In a blaze of glory"
I'm not a bike mechanic but I have to agree with most of the scenarios that were mentioned. High performance engines do wierd things and bike engines are no different. Good pictures and alot of good input on the cause that I agree with for the most part. Lucky that more damage wasn't incurred. I would think the builder would like to examine the victim to find the cause of death.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 11,185
Likes: 7,961
From: In my head
I've heard Ultima was junk for someone else that had a chopper with their power plant.
A stock HD is a fine engine for what it is but I wanted a stoker it would be S&S or Jims.
The OP knows the bikes owner so perhaps he could shed a little more light on how he was riding during the break.
OS
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 0
From: A SaltwaterHillbilly-Surrounded By Cages
Looks to me like that motor was running really hot.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,812
Likes: 0
From: Ak-Tenn
Holy crap! As a suffering owner of that exact engine, now I have one more thing to look for. Far as I'm concerned, they are P.O.S. and the owner of this one has my sympathy and empathy. (Mine has had 2 major failures even though I broke it in by their book, to the gnat's ***.)
Last edited by AK97fxdwg; Jan 30, 2014 at 05:21 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 735
Likes: 5
From: Bluffton,SC
Well the engine can be fixed but, can the rider learn to ride? Think that is the real question. There is no way that he didn't hear a lot of warning sign's. Darn engine is right between your legs. Money no brain's.