Any softail evo riders?
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 324
Likes: 1
From: USA
One of the lucky ones? Luck has nothing to do with it. It's a maintenance issue. Not doing proper scheduled maintenance is always going to be problematic with any motor. Just like if you let a leaky Evo motor run out of oil and damage the motor.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: Smoky Mountains
Mine runs smooth at 70+ without any "buzz". Much smoother than an Evo. With the 88 motor, I've not experienced any excessive heat either.
One of the lucky ones? Luck has nothing to do with it. It's a maintenance issue. Not doing proper scheduled maintenance is always going to be problematic with any motor. Just like if you let a leaky Evo motor run out of oil and damage the motor.
One of the lucky ones? Luck has nothing to do with it. It's a maintenance issue. Not doing proper scheduled maintenance is always going to be problematic with any motor. Just like if you let a leaky Evo motor run out of oil and damage the motor.
Heat problems with all Twin Cams has been an issue since the engine was introduced. If you don't have a problem with excessive heat then as I said before, you are one of the lucky ones.
Leaky Evo. LOL!!!! I think you are referring to the shovel engines and earlier.
Last edited by Airpump; Jan 24, 2012 at 07:47 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: Smoky Mountains
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 324
Likes: 1
From: USA
Maintanence Item, I would suggest that you spend some time in the technical section and freshen up on the cam chain tensioner issues with and without the proper maintenance schedules being performed.
Heat problems with all Twin Cams has been an issue since the engine was introduced. If you don't have a problem with excessive heat then as I said before, you are one of the lucky ones.
Heat problems with all Twin Cams has been an issue since the engine was introduced. If you don't have a problem with excessive heat then as I said before, you are one of the lucky ones.
If bashing the TC motor makes you feel better about yourself, then I guess that's what you're going to continue to do.
Are you saying that all Evo motors are leak free? I haven't seen one yet with over 40k with original base gaskets and rocker box gaskets that didn't leak oil. In no way am I saying that they ALL leak oil.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: Smoky Mountains
So apparently you are a resident expert on the TC motor. Just how much of this vast knowledge comes from actual personal experience? How many miles have you actually put on a TC Softail to be such an expert? I have ridden a substantial number of miles with both an Evo and a TC motor. The Evo motor also gets hot when stuck in traffic for an extended period of time. In my experience, the 88 TC doesn't have any "heat problems" as long as it's jetted/tuned properly.
If bashing the TC motor makes you feel better about yourself, then I guess that's what you're going to continue to do.
I think you missed my point. I never said that ALL Evo motors leak. I said if you let a leaky one run out of oil, it would damage the motor. If you replace a cam chain tensioner before it wears to the point of metal on metal, it won't cause any damage to the motor.
Are you saying that all Evo motors are leak free? I haven't seen one yet with over 40k with original base gaskets and rocker box gaskets that didn't leak oil. In no way am I saying that they ALL leak oil.
If bashing the TC motor makes you feel better about yourself, then I guess that's what you're going to continue to do.
I think you missed my point. I never said that ALL Evo motors leak. I said if you let a leaky one run out of oil, it would damage the motor. If you replace a cam chain tensioner before it wears to the point of metal on metal, it won't cause any damage to the motor.
Are you saying that all Evo motors are leak free? I haven't seen one yet with over 40k with original base gaskets and rocker box gaskets that didn't leak oil. In no way am I saying that they ALL leak oil.
First off I never said anything about being an expert. Read into it what you will but drop the attitude. I learn to read in grammer school and have no problem searching out technical information reference an item before I sink $$$$$$$$$$ into it, whatever the product may be.
No miles whatsoever on a TC softail, didn't you happen to notice what I said in my earlier post?????
Reference the heat difference between the Evo and the TC do some research and make up or own mind. Don't try to tell me the Evo generates the same amount of heat as the TC. I really don't care how many $$$$$$$ you spend on jets or how many different maps you install. Every hear anything about "HEAT MANAGEMENT", if not you find out about it as you learn the real difference between the Evo and TC engines.
You will also learn about the numerous numbers of owners who have had tensioner shoes fail while using the best oils available. Miles doesn't seem to be a factor in the shoe wear, some have fail as early as 10,000 or less. Some have gone over 50, 60 or more thousand. There doesn't seem to be a good answer. Maybe the new hydraulic tensioners will improve the overall problem with the shoe life.
By the way, I have also purchased three new Electra Glides an 03 FLHTCI, 04 FLHTC and a 06 FLHTCI, Of the three the FLHTC ran the coolest after a few trips into the carb. As for the injected models I added the Dyno Jet Power Commanders to both without any success in eliminating the heat problem. Just a waste of money after installing a number of can maps and one trip to the local dyno expert.
Of the three Evo's that have pass through my garage none have every had the base, push rod or rocker covers gaskets replaced. Of the three my 84 1/2 FXRS Disc Glide had the most miles 68,943 and was still performing leak free when the new owner left with it.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 0
From: NC
Well let's look at what you said you want it for a barhopper and occasional cruiser. Well then vibration shouldn't even be an issue on either of those. Now if you were doing long distance touring or endurance rides then some vibration may be an issue. I ride my '88 FXSTC everyday and have put as many as 6-700 miles on it in a day and I feel ready to go a few more at the end. But it is all subjective in nature what is not an issue for me may be one for you.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 324
Likes: 1
From: USA
This post where you implied that you have ridden one:
The fact is, you're doing a lot of ranting about something you have absolutely zero first hand experience with.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: Smoky Mountains
Well let's look at what you said you want it for a barhopper and occasional cruiser. Well then vibration shouldn't even be an issue on either of those. Now if you were doing long distance touring or endurance rides then some vibration may be an issue. I ride my '88 FXSTC everyday and have put as many as 6-700 miles on it in a day and I feel ready to go a few more at the end. But it is all subjective in nature what is not an issue for me may be one for you.
