I think once they put these motors in the dyna and softail frames they are going to be a screamer. Especially the Low Rider and the Street Bob.

 

I figure if the performance is pretty good bone stock in a heavy touring bike, it's going to be great in a lightweight bike.

 

Well for historical perspective, the 103 went something like...
2010: Touring
2012: Softail and some of the Dynas.

 

Maybe that's what I heard. Of all the things I miss, I miss my mind the most.

I emailed Surdyke Harley. I asked them for the shipping weight of part number 47900-11bhp (I used Ronnie's microfiche and picked a 2012 street glide for the frame part number.) They replied back this morning. "47900-11bhp shows a shipping weight of 52 pounds. Not all weights are accurate in the system at this time. Most of the frames weigh more then what this is showing."

I'm guessing they attach them to a pallet or package them in some way that adds some weight to it. I dunno. Either way, my point was that I think they have engineered the frame to be strong and light. I don't think there's any weight to be saved there. Plus the frame has to be sturdy enough to handle the torque a v-twin engine provides.

 

Actually a more analogous example is the change from Evo to Twin Cam.

 

Evo->TC
Touring/Dyna: 1998
Softail: 2000

 

M8 will more then likely show up in the Softails & Dynas in a few years.

 

I heard after the first of the year for non touring bikes, my guess is ramping up production and debugging the new motor and depleting existing stock on the twinkie engines. Back when harley switched from 74" to 80" motors in the shovelheads it took a year to get it done and they didn't make near the bikes then.

 

Are you sure about 1998? I could be wrong but I remember 1999 as the first model year for the twin cam in touring line, 2000 for softails. I bought a new 99 road King and a 2000 Heritage Springer.

 

That's the way I remember it. A friend bought a '99 TC Ultra. I was so impressed with it, the next year I bought a 2000 TC Classic.