Hi there:

New HD Softail owner. Trading my trouble free 2011 HD Sportster Iron 883 converted to Bobber for a 2008 Softail Rocker (FXCW) with 21,000 miles. My other HD was a 2007 Nightrod (VROD) also trouble free that I trade for a brand new 2013 Victory Cross Country.

I love the looks of the Rocker but what about the reliability of the Twin Cam 96B engine? did some research and found about the plastic chain tensioners that can go bad and destroy the engine. How true is this? I see a lot of HD's on the road and a co-worker has an ElectraGlide with 102,000 miles trouble free.

What else do I need to check on this bike? Is going to be my daily mode of transportation. I don't drive a car and always have a second bike as my backup. So reliability is my main concern.

Thank you.

 

The 88 Twin Cam had (Spring Loaded) cam chain tensioners which were prone to earlier failure. In 07 Harley discontinued this design and replaced them with Hydraulic tensioners which are more reliable and much longer lasting. Additionally, the Hydro tensioners are less labor intensive to replace. At 21,000 miles, the tensioners should not be an issue but for piece of mind you can have them inspected. Another trick is to cut open the oil filter after an oil change and look for plastic bits.

 

Welcome--I'm also new to 96TCb engines. What ive gleaned is that they are pretty high mileage IF maintained and ridden as designed. Aint designed to drag as stock. LOL Mine has 66k and runs strong. Im planning to crack the top for rebuild around 80k. Then again, if no symptoms I may go longer.

 

Pardon my ignorance but can you elaborate more?

I ride my bikes pretty hard and always upshifting in the high range. One thing I want to adapt ASAP is a tach to check on what RPM range I am upshifting. I have always been told that bike engines are designed to upshift on high RPM's. Lugging the engine can cause more damage that high revving.

Thank you very much.

 

Well, they are high torque low rev engines by definition. What xactly is your question??

 

Sorry English is not my native language. What do you mean when you said:

Is not designed to drag as stock?.

Thank you very much.

 

Its not a go fast drag racer, as it comes from factory.

 

HD's are a cruising bike not a "Drag" bike=Wide open throttle and high RPM's.
The tachometer will help out greatly. Harleys are a low RPM high torque engine and like to be kept in the low RPM range, 2000 - 4500 or so.
Get the factory owners manual an it spells out the operating range of the engine and when to shift.
Oh, and welcome from southern Kalifornia to the Softail side of the force