internal bearing fail
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 17,894
Likes: 3,551
From: backwoods
I got rid of 100 gallons of oil. I just dumped it in a ditch by elementary school.
County road commission takes it. Nice the barrel is open all the time. Some areas are charging I hear. I am going to try and keep up with it as I got see how long it last. Truck I got drain pain with lid. Put it in garage bag and put in truck. For bike I use regular oil pan. I may spend money 5 gallon tote. $25, big opening less mess. I have an old metal one I been using, but I also get nervous it will fail some day, in the back of my truck. I like the idea of clear plastic, so I can see how much is in there, cause I know I won't keep up forever.
riding it until it breaks could take out the oil pump. Also you ill need to flush oil pain. Easier not to.
County road commission takes it. Nice the barrel is open all the time. Some areas are charging I hear. I am going to try and keep up with it as I got see how long it last. Truck I got drain pain with lid. Put it in garage bag and put in truck. For bike I use regular oil pan. I may spend money 5 gallon tote. $25, big opening less mess. I have an old metal one I been using, but I also get nervous it will fail some day, in the back of my truck. I like the idea of clear plastic, so I can see how much is in there, cause I know I won't keep up forever.
riding it until it breaks could take out the oil pump. Also you ill need to flush oil pain. Easier not to.
Last edited by Rounders; Jun 22, 2025 at 05:24 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,064
Likes: 11,083
From: San Diego, CA
I don't have $1000-1500 bukz for an indi to pull and diagnose what I suspect will be $3000 bill all said 'n done
I took it for 60 mile ride this afternoon.
The bearing screeched momentarily a couple/three times
always in a low/no load 2000ish rpm range in a lower gear (2nd)
Because no one has ever accused me of being smart, I very well may ride it til it breaks.
call a tow truck to bring it home , then start a tear down.
I might go look at a rice burner tomorrow after work
Factory new old stock Kaw Versys 650LT for $6500
Maybe , I donno
KTF
Certainly one way to do it......
However, it could turn a $1K repair into an $8K repair......
Last edited by hattitude; Jun 22, 2025 at 05:52 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,547
Likes: 7,153
From: Oxford, Nc
Measure the runout on the camshaft under the ride side cover. (Bad ones are even visible with the naked eye.)
Or have a shop do it for 3 hours labor.
This will give you an idea of what I'm talking about.
Bing Videos
Or have a shop do it for 3 hours labor.
This will give you an idea of what I'm talking about.
Bing Videos
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 17,894
Likes: 3,551
From: backwoods
Getting towed home is no phone, The cell phone mechanics don't realize you may be waiting for hours, and that is assuming you have cell signal. If you had 2-3 beers, then you are talking to the cop that stops to help.
Got to be at work you are late. I would park this bike. Get another one to ride until you have the money or desire to fix is one option. Maybe wait and bore and cam, once it is all apart. Could even look at cost to stroke vs crank rebuild, if that is what the problem is
Could even learn about harleys talking it apart at your leisure. pulling an engine really is not that hard. Time consuming, and tedious. But the steps are not that bad.
My wild guess is 2-4k to fix it. Some more if you want to improve it. And the time, which sucks too.
Got to be at work you are late. I would park this bike. Get another one to ride until you have the money or desire to fix is one option. Maybe wait and bore and cam, once it is all apart. Could even look at cost to stroke vs crank rebuild, if that is what the problem is
Could even learn about harleys talking it apart at your leisure. pulling an engine really is not that hard. Time consuming, and tedious. But the steps are not that bad.
My wild guess is 2-4k to fix it. Some more if you want to improve it. And the time, which sucks too.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 444
Likes: 166
Lots of worst case scenarios listed. Could be something as simple as primary chain out of adjustment or inner primary bearing or even lefty bearing. Id do an awful lot more digging before planning on a new motor.
lots of independents out there who would dig in for less than you think.
just my 2 cents.
lots of independents out there who would dig in for less than you think.
just my 2 cents.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 181
Likes: 105
From: Indiana
Lots of worst case scenarios listed. Could be something as simple as primary chain out of adjustment or inner primary bearing or even lefty bearing. Id do an awful lot more digging before planning on a new motor.
lots of independents out there who would dig in for less than you think.
just my 2 cents.
lots of independents out there who would dig in for less than you think.
just my 2 cents.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,096
Likes: 51,358
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Cap you want to get depressed, search Facebook marketplace for San Francisco in 200 mile radius for harleys for sale or harley parts. Cheap twin cams and engines are common, clean running bike $3k and under regular.
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Jun 23, 2025 at 06:40 PM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,974
Likes: 347
From: Illinois
Wow, been a long time. I think. Welcome back.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,096
Likes: 51,358
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
I'm in & out, retired, got a life back I'd forgotten I had and the little power play politics got nasty in here for a bit, though I haven't seen the three stooges anywhere my last few visits. Been busting myths in various facebook shovelhead groups for amusement. Must be doing it right, been banned from two for providing pictures to the back facts. 
