CVO engine problems
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
I wouldn't let the motor scare you if you like the bike but I would do the lifter swap.
If it were me I would yank the heads get them ported with new valves and springs. Drop in a better cam and tune it. You would have a lot more power and reliability for about 2-3 grand. Not 10.
If it were me I would yank the heads get them ported with new valves and springs. Drop in a better cam and tune it. You would have a lot more power and reliability for about 2-3 grand. Not 10.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,534
Likes: 3,938
From: Virginia
We are in the market for a touring bike.......fell in love with the 14 CVO Limited.......but reading a lot of complaints on the 110 motor.............should we stay away from the 110 completely? Or on models after year '15 has Harley gotten their act together?
Decisions, decisions!!!!!!!
Help
Thanks!
Decisions, decisions!!!!!!!
Help
Thanks!
My question to the OP is this: Is this your first HD motorcycle?
If so, might I suggest that you go buy a trouble free Honda.
If you have owned at least one TwinCam Harley for any length of time you would know what problems you had with that bike, and the 110 would be very similar.
All my Harleys needed much more work than any of my metrics, but thats ok.
Weak points on these TwinCam Harleys are the lifters as stated above. I use adj pushrods and 850-1 Chevy lifters and do the work myself. It is interesting to note that I take my bike in to have the tires changed but do my lifters myself as lifter swap is easy the second and subsequent times.
My 2012CVO StreetGlide has needed the following work:
I bought the bike in 2014 with 4000 or so on the Odometer
Current miles is ~38,000
Valve guides & springs at 23500 miles
Rocker Lockers at 30200
Clutch at 33000
Front brake pads at 32410
Rear shift lever (the one that passes between primary and transmission) at 37000
Voltage Regulator at 32410
Battery at 32000 (4 years)
Lifters at 7000 and 23472 (Im overdue for third set).
57H Cams, lifters, TTS Mastertune and dynoed at 7000 (103HP 113TQ)
Tires at 11853, 23500, 32410.
Regular Maintenance includes
oil changes at ~3000 to 4000 miles (Moly10W60, K&N filter)
Primary (HD Primary oil) and tranny oil (BelRey) changes by the book.
Things that have not broke yet but broke on previous bikes
Compensator
If this is your first Harley and if you have a lifetime of trouble free metrics or European bikes, you might be disapointed with HD. Then again, like me, even with all the problems, I love my Harley. The issues listed above just give me something to do in retirement: Spend my kids inheritance and work on the bike.
Standard disclaimers apply.
If so, might I suggest that you go buy a trouble free Honda.
If you have owned at least one TwinCam Harley for any length of time you would know what problems you had with that bike, and the 110 would be very similar.
All my Harleys needed much more work than any of my metrics, but thats ok.
Weak points on these TwinCam Harleys are the lifters as stated above. I use adj pushrods and 850-1 Chevy lifters and do the work myself. It is interesting to note that I take my bike in to have the tires changed but do my lifters myself as lifter swap is easy the second and subsequent times.
My 2012CVO StreetGlide has needed the following work:
I bought the bike in 2014 with 4000 or so on the Odometer
Current miles is ~38,000
Valve guides & springs at 23500 miles
Rocker Lockers at 30200
Clutch at 33000
Front brake pads at 32410
Rear shift lever (the one that passes between primary and transmission) at 37000
Voltage Regulator at 32410
Battery at 32000 (4 years)
Lifters at 7000 and 23472 (Im overdue for third set).
57H Cams, lifters, TTS Mastertune and dynoed at 7000 (103HP 113TQ)
Tires at 11853, 23500, 32410.
Regular Maintenance includes
oil changes at ~3000 to 4000 miles (Moly10W60, K&N filter)
Primary (HD Primary oil) and tranny oil (BelRey) changes by the book.
Things that have not broke yet but broke on previous bikes
Compensator
If this is your first Harley and if you have a lifetime of trouble free metrics or European bikes, you might be disapointed with HD. Then again, like me, even with all the problems, I love my Harley. The issues listed above just give me something to do in retirement: Spend my kids inheritance and work on the bike.
Standard disclaimers apply.
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Bucks county, pa
2014 cvo
My wife and I went to a dealer today, to take a test ride on a "touring" bike. Currently own a softail deuce. When I told the salesman about our findings here on the forum........and that I found a 2014 CVO in red that I fell in love with, the salesman told me that they just traded in a 14..........and lo and behold it was the red one.........it has a little over 11k miles on it. I did notice a lot of heat on my right leg where the exhaust goes down to the lower pipe that bends to the cat converter and pipe out the rear of the bike.........I was told that if the cat converter was taken out that that heat would not be as intense.........would everybody agree with that? (It makes sense to me).......also we noticed a lot of vibration with the bike idleing........with no load..........and my wife said that it felt like it shook a lot more than our deuce.........we were told that the 110 will do that. They did confirm that in 2014 when the bike first came out that they had problems with the radiator caps blowing off.......but that they resolved that problem with a higher pressure cap........now time to decide! Any thoughts?
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 705
Likes: 8
From: Titusville, FL
I've had the Catalytic Converter removed on my 110 and my wife still complains. We test rode a 2017 CVO Limited 114 and the heat was less. I'm sure someone that has a 2017 CVO and had an older 110 CVO would be a better judge.
so you rode a 2017 and could not tell the difference in comfort, ride and handling? Sounds to me like you want someone to say it's OK to buy a 2014. That would not be me. However I only wish you the best whatever you decide!
so you rode a 2017 and could not tell the difference in comfort, ride and handling? Sounds to me like you want someone to say it's OK to buy a 2014. That would not be me. However I only wish you the best whatever you decide!
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 895
Likes: 306
From: se wi
The deuce has a b motor which is a balanced motor. At idle the deuce will be smoother then the unbalanced twin cam but going down the road the opposite is true, the dresser is smoother. I love my 16 cvo street glide and still need to get a new header pipe to get rid of the heat. If you like the bike then go for it, if you can find a new one you like and can afford it go that way. When I seen mine at the dealer and took it for a ride I knew it would be going home with me, I did purchase it brand new in 16.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,613
Likes: 7,087
From: SoCal / AZ
^^^ Yep, balanced motor in the Softail is the difference at idle.
I have a full exhaust system on my 16 CVO SG with no cat, and I don't have any heat issues from the exhaust. Stock you could definitely feel the heat from the cat on your right leg.
I have a full exhaust system on my 16 CVO SG with no cat, and I don't have any heat issues from the exhaust. Stock you could definitely feel the heat from the cat on your right leg.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 133
Likes: 7
From: Toronto, Canada
head pipe change and properly dyno tune will get the heat to a manageable level and the bike will have more power.
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Club Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 917
Likes: 95
From: Nashville, TN
Yea, no ****, me either. 2014 FLHTKSE with 33000 and not a single issue outside of water pump this weekend, died. Taken it cross country several times in extreme heat/cold and it has not let me down once.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 566
Likes: 70
From: The Redneck Riviera
My wife and I went to a dealer today, to take a test ride on a "touring" bike. Currently own a softail deuce. When I told the salesman about our findings here on the forum........and that I found a 2014 CVO in red that I fell in love with, the salesman told me that they just traded in a 14..........and lo and behold it was the red one.........it has a little over 11k miles on it. I did notice a lot of heat on my right leg where the exhaust goes down to the lower pipe that bends to the cat converter and pipe out the rear of the bike.........I was told that if the cat converter was taken out that that heat would not be as intense.........would everybody agree with that? (It makes sense to me).......also we noticed a lot of vibration with the bike idleing........with no load..........and my wife said that it felt like it shook a lot more than our deuce.........we were told that the 110 will do that. They did confirm that in 2014 when the bike first came out that they had problems with the radiator caps blowing off.......but that they resolved that problem with a higher pressure cap........now time to decide! Any thoughts?
The 110 isn't the only concern, '14 is first year twin cooled, & fy infotainment, $1k if head unit takes a dump (haven't heard of any chronic fails but you never know??)
It's a total buyer's market with new '16s & '17s still at Dealers and the '18s a few weeks away, you should be able to score a real sweet deal...
Good Hunting, keep us posted.
Last edited by FlaHeatWave; Jul 31, 2017 at 10:58 PM.