Gear drive Cams
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 6
From: Edmond, Ok
Crank runout does come into play when switching to a gear drive system. If you look at S&S's installation instructions, they won't honor a warranty if your runout is more than
.002. Most shops that I've talked to say that's just S&S being safe, and that you can have more runout than that. Warg, do a search for crank runout, or check the engine thread- there's more info out there.
.002. Most shops that I've talked to say that's just S&S being safe, and that you can have more runout than that. Warg, do a search for crank runout, or check the engine thread- there's more info out there.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
My gear drive is a bit older. I have both sets of instructions....The ones that came with the Andrews cams and then ones that came with the S&S gears. Neither have anything on them about measuring crank runout......I don't think they started printing that step until the problems with the crappy cast cranks in the '03-up bikes started becoming an issue......Just sayin'...
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 14,865
Likes: 4
From: Mn.on a lake,well nxt to a lake.
My tech wont do mine(06 deluxe) if the run-out is over .002....Told me strieght out if its over .002 he will put it back together with the chain drive......
He has refused to do a few bikes all ready this fall....He drag races around the country so he is real anil when it comes to rebuilds....
I use anil in a GOOD way.........
He has refused to do a few bikes all ready this fall....He drag races around the country so he is real anil when it comes to rebuilds....
I use anil in a GOOD way.........
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,357
Likes: 11
From: The Lone Star State
Well, maybe sticking with the chain drive is the way to go???
mplecha, did you ever get your bike straightened out? Weren't you having problems with your voltage regulator and crank?
mplecha, did you ever get your bike straightened out? Weren't you having problems with your voltage regulator and crank?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,120
Likes: 192
From: Lakeland, FL
it's worth checking out. the bad thing about the chain drive is the plastic tensioner shoes. they will eventually wear and will cause damage if they're not caught early. I think Harley has a new setup on the 07+ bikes that did away with the plastic tensioners or maybe has a new kind of chain. If your runout is excessive, you could go to the new setup.
I bought a gear drive set from Andrews last summer (37g), and it's still in my shop. My runout was too much for the gears. Unfortunately, my bike needs the crankshaft trued, now. The vibration has gotten pretty bad. the good thing about that is I'll be able to use the gear drive set when I put it back together. I'm waiting until after christmas to tear it down and send it off. I think Darkhorse will balance, true and weld the crank and flywheels for about $600.
I bought a gear drive set from Andrews last summer (37g), and it's still in my shop. My runout was too much for the gears. Unfortunately, my bike needs the crankshaft trued, now. The vibration has gotten pretty bad. the good thing about that is I'll be able to use the gear drive set when I put it back together. I'm waiting until after christmas to tear it down and send it off. I think Darkhorse will balance, true and weld the crank and flywheels for about $600.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,357
Likes: 11
From: The Lone Star State
Good luck getting it all done. This interests me since my bike is the same year and model as yours. Is this a common issue with our year/model or just one of those things? And is this something that is just a defect in the manufacture of the crank, or did it develop over time from use, wear/tear, etc? I don't have any vibration on mine to speak of. Thanks for the info.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,120
Likes: 192
From: Lakeland, FL
I don't think it's a problem with the year/model. I think it's just one of those things. The flywheels are just pressed on to the crank and pin. It could happen, but I don't think it's all that common. Mine had a slight vibration for a while that just got worse. This would be the perfect time to do a big bore if I had the money. 
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