A question for experienced bikers
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 18
From: Beautiful SW Missouri Ozark Mountain Country
A question for experienced bikers
Hi. I have a question for you guys that have ridden for a long time.
Why does it seem like every used Harley has had some or a lot of engine mods? I mean, will a factory Harley motor not last for 100,000 miles? Or is it just that everyone that has one, wants a hotrod? And it seems more prevalent on softail models.
Any insight?
The reason I ask, is because I'm shopping for a softail and it seems like every one of them has either upgraded cams, been stroked, or a has whole new S&S motor, etc, etc. So it makes me wonder if the Harley motor is junk. I mean I can understand accessories to make it look better, although sometimes enough is enough, but why all the motor mods?
Why does it seem like every used Harley has had some or a lot of engine mods? I mean, will a factory Harley motor not last for 100,000 miles? Or is it just that everyone that has one, wants a hotrod? And it seems more prevalent on softail models.
Any insight?
The reason I ask, is because I'm shopping for a softail and it seems like every one of them has either upgraded cams, been stroked, or a has whole new S&S motor, etc, etc. So it makes me wonder if the Harley motor is junk. I mean I can understand accessories to make it look better, although sometimes enough is enough, but why all the motor mods?
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
The reason is that the EPA has choked the motor down so much that the power is way down where it should be. if not for the EPA's laws, we wouldn't have to do some things to get the motor to run free and help cool it back down. Then HD could use different parts that would be better.
thats why we put pipes, A/C, cams in them..
thats why we put pipes, A/C, cams in them..
Last edited by oct1949; Jun 21, 2009 at 10:50 PM.
I mean ditto. The reason a lot of bikes have upgraded cams is that the twincam 88's (2000-2006) have a poor desing for the cam chain tensioners and they can wear out and grenade your motor. Some people want more power. I found a used bike that had a stock motor and got that. You gotta let the motor breather and get some more air into it to get a little more power and also adding exhasut to that combo can pep it up and will make it sound like a Harley. A stock Harley is incredibly quiet now.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 1
From: Desert S. West
It could be that's all that's on the market right now for some odd reason. I would stay away from strokers even though the new TC96 is a factory stroker. It tends to cut down on engine life. I would embrace a TC88 that has a 95" kit with decent cam as you will see long life and good performance from it.
Yes; the cam chain tensioners are an issue but not much of one if they are checked every 30k miles or so and replaced as needed.
The nice thing about buying a used bike is that it usually has all the stuff done to it that most guys would want to do anyway. Naturally the cosmetics are a different story. Part of the fun of Harley's is to personalize them the way you want to.
Yes; the cam chain tensioners are an issue but not much of one if they are checked every 30k miles or so and replaced as needed.
The nice thing about buying a used bike is that it usually has all the stuff done to it that most guys would want to do anyway. Naturally the cosmetics are a different story. Part of the fun of Harley's is to personalize them the way you want to.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 18
From: Beautiful SW Missouri Ozark Mountain Country
I understand the breathing problems. That makes sense. I was afraid of that about stokers though. I found a stroked 1991 FXSTC. It's a nice bike and the price is right, but I'm afraid it won't get me home.
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,481
Likes: 4
From: Georgia
They need Stage I - pipes, unrestricted air cleaner, and SERT to run like they're supposed to.
Last edited by BigGdawg; Jun 22, 2009 at 11:38 AM.
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May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Rochester, NY
A stock Harley engine will last longer than you might think with proper maintenance. But like has been said its also been choked down something awful by EPA regs.
If they have a serious 'problem' its the inherent design flaw of the V-Twin layout. Its not a truly balanced engine system like say a BMW's Boxer layout.
Even with the balancers of the "B" motors, its going to be forever cursed with the uneven firing order that is both its downfall, in that its impossible to eliminate all vibration, and its blessing in its that very same uneven firing order that gives us that unique Harley sound.
Personally I have never understood the logic of trying to get huge HP and Torque numbers from one. It accelerates the wear and tare on the engine as fast or faster than it does the bike.
If I wanted a bike that will challenge the world speed record every time I climbed aboard. I would have bought one of those nasty little rice rockets that come off the dealers showroom floor weighing 25 or 30% less, have much bigger brakes, and engines that are pushing or exceeding the 200 hp mark.
But moderate improvements in a Harley's breathing can yield promising returns with little or no extra stress and if its ridden without trying to break the land speed record all the time those same improvements can actually help it last longer.
Because you don't need to jack the manifold pressures up (open the throttle) as far to get you going or keep you going down the road. Your not stressing the hell out of it as often or as long.
So don't be afraid of a bike that's had some modest engine 'improvements', be more concerned with what kind of improvements were made, how it was ridden, and most importantly, how it was maintained.
If they have a serious 'problem' its the inherent design flaw of the V-Twin layout. Its not a truly balanced engine system like say a BMW's Boxer layout.
Even with the balancers of the "B" motors, its going to be forever cursed with the uneven firing order that is both its downfall, in that its impossible to eliminate all vibration, and its blessing in its that very same uneven firing order that gives us that unique Harley sound.
Personally I have never understood the logic of trying to get huge HP and Torque numbers from one. It accelerates the wear and tare on the engine as fast or faster than it does the bike.
If I wanted a bike that will challenge the world speed record every time I climbed aboard. I would have bought one of those nasty little rice rockets that come off the dealers showroom floor weighing 25 or 30% less, have much bigger brakes, and engines that are pushing or exceeding the 200 hp mark.
But moderate improvements in a Harley's breathing can yield promising returns with little or no extra stress and if its ridden without trying to break the land speed record all the time those same improvements can actually help it last longer.
Because you don't need to jack the manifold pressures up (open the throttle) as far to get you going or keep you going down the road. Your not stressing the hell out of it as often or as long.
So don't be afraid of a bike that's had some modest engine 'improvements', be more concerned with what kind of improvements were made, how it was ridden, and most importantly, how it was maintained.
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Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 18
From: Beautiful SW Missouri Ozark Mountain Country
A stock Harley engine will last longer than you might think with proper maintenance. But like has been said its also been choked down something awful by EPA regs.
If they have a serious 'problem' its the inherent design flaw of the V-Twin layout. Its not a truly balanced engine system like say a BMW's Boxer layout.
Even with the balancers of the "B" motors, its going to be forever cursed with the uneven firing order that is both its downfall, in that its impossible to eliminate all vibration, and its blessing in its that very same uneven firing order that gives us that unique Harley sound.
Personally I have never understood the logic of trying to get huge HP and Torque numbers from one. It accelerates the wear and tare on the engine as fast or faster than it does the bike.
If I wanted a bike that will challenge the world speed record every time I climbed aboard. I would have bought one of those nasty little rice rockets that come off the dealers showroom floor weighing 25 or 30% less, have much bigger brakes, and engines that are pushing or exceeding the 200 hp mark.
But moderate improvements in a Harley's breathing can yield promising returns with little or no extra stress and if its ridden without trying to break the land speed record all the time those same improvements can actually help it last longer.
Because you don't need to jack the manifold pressures up (open the throttle) as far to get you going or keep you going down the road. Your not stressing the hell out of it as often or as long.
So don't be afraid of a bike that's had some modest engine 'improvements', be more concerned with what kind of improvements were made, how it was ridden, and most importantly, how it was maintained.
If they have a serious 'problem' its the inherent design flaw of the V-Twin layout. Its not a truly balanced engine system like say a BMW's Boxer layout.
Even with the balancers of the "B" motors, its going to be forever cursed with the uneven firing order that is both its downfall, in that its impossible to eliminate all vibration, and its blessing in its that very same uneven firing order that gives us that unique Harley sound.
Personally I have never understood the logic of trying to get huge HP and Torque numbers from one. It accelerates the wear and tare on the engine as fast or faster than it does the bike.
If I wanted a bike that will challenge the world speed record every time I climbed aboard. I would have bought one of those nasty little rice rockets that come off the dealers showroom floor weighing 25 or 30% less, have much bigger brakes, and engines that are pushing or exceeding the 200 hp mark.
But moderate improvements in a Harley's breathing can yield promising returns with little or no extra stress and if its ridden without trying to break the land speed record all the time those same improvements can actually help it last longer.
Because you don't need to jack the manifold pressures up (open the throttle) as far to get you going or keep you going down the road. Your not stressing the hell out of it as often or as long.
So don't be afraid of a bike that's had some modest engine 'improvements', be more concerned with what kind of improvements were made, how it was ridden, and most importantly, how it was maintained.