96b a problem motor?
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
The videos oct1949 linked are worth the time. I would sum them up like this: An old school guy talking about the '07 and later cranks and tolerances are like getting him to explain fuel injection when all he has ever done are carbs. The dude makes some sense in the videos. I haven't been that worried about my B motor, but even less now.
fbd,, good viewpoint thinking..
Agree now only people that have to have gear cams might have reason to rethink.
Since the newer Hyd system has proven them selfs IMO I don't know why anyone would want to install gear cams.
I used to deal with thousands of people at work and I know its hard for people to change.
But in this case I think The MoCo is taking a lot of heat for a making a change when Its actually better overall.
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 682
Likes: 1
From: In the World
The videos oct1949 linked are worth the time. I would sum them up like this: An old school guy talking about the '07 and later cranks and tolerances are like getting him to explain fuel injection when all he has ever done are carbs. The dude makes some sense in the videos. I haven't been that worried about my B motor, but even less now.
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Sooke BC
I do get some vibration at some RPM's, But nothing that Im worried about. There has been the odd burn out (2 or 3 for only a matter of seconds), and some high reving, but nothing near the red-line. I also get some slapping sounds from the primary region, and some jerking when slowing down and like a clunking.
Im not going to gear driven cams, Im more interested in the 204 kit from the MoCo.
Im not going to gear driven cams, Im more interested in the 204 kit from the MoCo.
Last edited by Hotwire; May 31, 2011 at 01:48 PM.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
I do get some vibration at some RPM's, But nothing that Im worried about. There has been the odd burn out (2 or 3 for only a matter of seconds), and some high reving, but nothing near the red-line. I also get some slapping sounds from the primary region, and some jerking when slowing down and like a clunking.
Im not going to gear driven cams, Im more interested in the 204 kit from the MoCo.
Im not going to gear driven cams, Im more interested in the 204 kit from the MoCo.
Great in a light bike and have a good loppy idle.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 146
From:
Actually it's the baggers that are scissoring the wheels. That's why they came up with that goofy electronic throttle. It won't let the throttle open full until over 3000 rpm, no matter how much you twist the grip. The heavier bikes put more strain on the press fit crankpin's fit in the wheels. The low end in all Harleys has been cheapened since '03. I saw a Dyna that had the cam side main bearing walk out into the cam case. It had under 10,000 miles. The rumors of the 'B" motor being inferior to the regular motor are false. When is the last time you heard of the balancers causing a problem?
I have an '02 Fatboy with gear drives and the old forged flywheels running on double Timken bearings. It's a pretty hot 95 incher over 100hp and 100 tq. It has hauled *** for years with zero problems. Best bike I've ever owned and I've been riding Harleys for 41 years.
I have an '02 Fatboy with gear drives and the old forged flywheels running on double Timken bearings. It's a pretty hot 95 incher over 100hp and 100 tq. It has hauled *** for years with zero problems. Best bike I've ever owned and I've been riding Harleys for 41 years.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,477
Likes: 14
From: Western MD
i see in the video that the moco doesn't make its own cranks.. they're made by a company called "gems".. i guess that how they spell it. at first i thought he said GM.. i about had a heart attack..
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 175
Likes: 1
I just posted this in the general chat area after answering another question in here..
I found these (5) mini Pod videos from Revolution Perf, showing why the 07 and newer crankshafts can have more run out and he also talks cast vs forged
Also found out that it ain't all bad. The cranks them selves are near perfect when checked between bearing surfaces, but at the same time when checked out at the point where the sprocket runs is not machined and has the run out and is where all the talk is about.
Here Revulation Performace shows and tells us why and then explains thats its not the problem that some think is is.
Really good teaching on HD cranks, It explains whats going on and explains it better than I could tell Ya in here..
If U take the time to watch them U will learn why.
http://vimeo.com/2536249
http://vimeo.com/2536700
http://vimeo.com/2536700
http://vimeo.com/2567824
http://vimeo.com/2578488
I'd think anyone with Machine shop experience/ understanding after watching these will now know why it is what it is and why its works
I found these (5) mini Pod videos from Revolution Perf, showing why the 07 and newer crankshafts can have more run out and he also talks cast vs forged
Also found out that it ain't all bad. The cranks them selves are near perfect when checked between bearing surfaces, but at the same time when checked out at the point where the sprocket runs is not machined and has the run out and is where all the talk is about.
Here Revulation Performace shows and tells us why and then explains thats its not the problem that some think is is.
Really good teaching on HD cranks, It explains whats going on and explains it better than I could tell Ya in here..
If U take the time to watch them U will learn why.
http://vimeo.com/2536249
http://vimeo.com/2536700
http://vimeo.com/2536700
http://vimeo.com/2567824
http://vimeo.com/2578488
I'd think anyone with Machine shop experience/ understanding after watching these will now know why it is what it is and why its works
In my day they over engineered everything by a factor of 10x. If sh*&t happens you are still o.k.
Have over 25 years machine shop inspection experience. Quality products don't cost more, just less bonus for the wall street types.
Only costs a few more penny's to make a good product. Just my 2 cts.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
Let's see as far as I can tell there are over 500,000 to 750,000 TC96's out there. The balanced motor is identical except for the balancer.
There has only been a hand full of problems. A good % of those problems have been on modified motors.
The TC96 has hydraulic operated followers not the old type in the TC88 that had some problems for some.
My 07 FXSTC bought new in Aug. 06. Has run faultlessly with no issues.
I have two other bikes with the TC96 and they have no issues. It is not that I am lucky. It is that HD builds a good motor.
By the way having balancers improves the life of the engine. It is a rare metric bike that doesn't have balances. Shaking is hard on a motor and helps things come adrift over time. It just soaks up a little of the power but then so does the crank, cam shafts, transmission, primary drive, rear wheel drive and the rear wheel itself.
My Corvettes and Viper have harmonic balancers because it is better for the motor.
There has only been a hand full of problems. A good % of those problems have been on modified motors.
The TC96 has hydraulic operated followers not the old type in the TC88 that had some problems for some.
My 07 FXSTC bought new in Aug. 06. Has run faultlessly with no issues.
I have two other bikes with the TC96 and they have no issues. It is not that I am lucky. It is that HD builds a good motor.
By the way having balancers improves the life of the engine. It is a rare metric bike that doesn't have balances. Shaking is hard on a motor and helps things come adrift over time. It just soaks up a little of the power but then so does the crank, cam shafts, transmission, primary drive, rear wheel drive and the rear wheel itself.
My Corvettes and Viper have harmonic balancers because it is better for the motor.
Last edited by lh4x4; May 31, 2011 at 11:21 PM.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Let's see as far as I can tell there are over 500,000 to 750,000 TC96's out there. The balanced motor is identical except for the balancer.
There has only been a hand full of problems. A good % of those problems have been on modified motors.
The TC96 has hydraulic operated followers not the old type in the TC88 that had some problems for some.
My 07 FXSTC bought new in Aug. 06. Has run faultlessly with no issues.
I have two other bikes with the TC96 and they have no issues. It is not that I am lucky. It is that HD builds a good motor.
By the way having balancers improves the life of the engine. It is a rare metric bike that doesn't have balances. Shaking is hard on a motor and helps things come adrift over time. It just soaks up a little of the power but then so does the crank, cam shafts, transmission, primary drive, rear wheel drive and the rear wheel itself.
My Corvettes and Viper have harmonic balancers because it is better for the motor.
There has only been a hand full of problems. A good % of those problems have been on modified motors.
The TC96 has hydraulic operated followers not the old type in the TC88 that had some problems for some.
My 07 FXSTC bought new in Aug. 06. Has run faultlessly with no issues.
I have two other bikes with the TC96 and they have no issues. It is not that I am lucky. It is that HD builds a good motor.
By the way having balancers improves the life of the engine. It is a rare metric bike that doesn't have balances. Shaking is hard on a motor and helps things come adrift over time. It just soaks up a little of the power but then so does the crank, cam shafts, transmission, primary drive, rear wheel drive and the rear wheel itself.
My Corvettes and Viper have harmonic balancers because it is better for the motor.
Same here on our 07, 31k and she's been perfect motor wise.. Once had a miss, turned out one of the battery cable bolts was a little loose...
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