I'de fix it myself I think, might take a while but you wont be in as much debt as you would if you virtually had to give it away and lost money on the HP payments, and then the extra money to fund a new bike...You will learn more about the bike and maybe even help other brothers with similar probs, make a few bucks as well...LOL...Do it over the winter, if they have a winter in New Jersey (i'm from the UK) and it would be ready probably come spring...and you would feel great..

Phil

 

Hey Phil,

Yes I'm keeping it. It is all repaired and I'm putting on the miles. I only have 13 months to go on the loan so it would be stupid to unload it now. The plan is to buy a new (2nd) bike when this is paid off.

Winters in New Jersey? My friend, you have no idea. It starts in November and doesn't let go until April (if we're lucky).

Ride Safe Brother!!

Ted

 

Can ya let us in on what the problem was?

 

Sure thing.... bear with me.

In September 2018, I discovered the cam chain tensioners on my 2003 Twin Cam 88 were nearly worn through. Knowing what this means I did some financial research and discovered that it would cost me waaaayyyy to much to have my local Harley dealers or Indy shop do the work. For the following 6 months, I educated myself, bought tools, built a 10x10 shed to do the work in and bought replacement parts from Harley, Hard Drive and other places. I wanted to switch it to a hydraulic system, but again, the money wasn't there. Since I host a motorcycle podcast, I emailed the folks at Hard Drive and told them I'd be using their parts in the bike, primarily the cam chain tensioners. I was asked what part number I was using and I told them. They advised me the ones I purchased were outdated and an old design with old materials. They asked me to destroy them and send them a photo of the destruction. I did plus add a video. They sent me the new ones and I began the work. In March 2019 I completed the work and started her up. She ran like a clock. 2043 miles later, I was on a ride and heard a crap load of noise coming from the bike. Back on the lift I began to take the bike apart to find the cause of the noise. Finally I opened the cam chest. Lo an behold the replacement cam chain Hard Drive sent me failed and I mean obliterated in the cam chest. This killed the oil pump and blew out a head gasket and nearly destroyed my engine.

This is the point where I didn't know what to do with the bike. I contacted hard drive and told them what happened. They advised their manufacturer and they agreed to pay for the repairs to the engine and provided all the replacement parts. I agreed to pay for a new Hydraulic cam kit. After 4 weeks at my local HD dealer, I got the bike back. Runs like a clock again and I'm pretty much good for a long time.

I just have to replace a few other things that one would have to replace on a 16 year old bike. Throttle cables, bearings, yadda, yadda. But she's running great now. Only has 53K miles on her and I hope to get another 100K out of her before she can't take anymore.

 

I have a Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter and did a complete strip down and service over the winter. Loved doing it and really got to know the ins and outs of the bike. Im now in the process hopefully of getting a 93/94 HERITAGE SOFTAIL CLASSIC off a friend and again, hope to strip and service and give it some TLC ready for our spring in March 2020. Cant wait....LOL I'll post pics when I get it....
Phil
you also ride safe bro.