Left for Chicago around 8:00 this morning, on the Sportster. I got About 20 miles from home and started hearing a really loud knock from the engine, and a loss of power at the same time. I shut the engine off and thought dang the engine is gone. I was only a couple of miles from my mechanic, so I restarted the bike and nursed it to his shop. At first I thought it was a rod But he said he thinks it is a lifter or something else in the top end. Will know more when they get into the engine. Will update when I know more. But I guess the Chicago trip is off for now.
I heard from the mechanic, Bad lifters. One was collapsed and the others are all gummed up. so they are replacing all of them. Cost will be at least 800.00. I guess it could have been worse. he also said one of my connecting rods was a little loose on the crank but he said he would not worry about it right now and just ride it due to the cost of fixing it and he said it could go another 50,000 miles and give me no problem.
Chicago trip is definitly off
Lou

 

Dude that blows!
Hope nit works out for ya.

 

lucky you were close to the mechanic... how many miles on your bike?

 

bike has only 31000 miles. its an o6 1200C

 

How could he tell the connecting rod was "a little loose" on the crank? The only way to tell is split the cases and remove the crank shaft. If you can "feel" movement in the connecting rod its serious. Some times the stock lifters can collapse, it is uncommon. What caused the others to "gum up"? Have you been doing regular oil&filter changes? Are you using the proper oil and good quality gas?

 

I use only Mobil 1 15-50 in my bike and change the oil every 4000 miles, with a new filter. Most of the gas I use is from Murphy USA, 89 octane. (Walmart gas). the bike had about 5000 miles on it when I bought it, but I don't think that was enough miles and was to long ago to cause any problems.
As far as the loose connecting rod is concerned, I'm going to the shop to check it out this morning.
Lou

 

I can't see how those lifters could be gummed up if your using a good oil like Mobil 1. Tell the mechanic you want those lifters so you can post pics of them here. I'd also ask if you can save labor costs by cutting the pushrods and putting in adjustables instead of pulling the tank, rocker covers ect.

 

If thats a 1200 you best start using premium,,
I think I'll stay away from Mobil 1 ,,,15 wt,,????
20-50 Is whats recomended???
Using a HD filter?? hopefully not the 5 micron type,,too restrictive..
Whats your plugs look like??
white=lean,,did you mod and not richen up the AFR ??
wow 30k,,,lifters should not fail,,,

 

Lou here;
My mechanic, who is very old school Harley, Mostly old Sportsters says I should stop using full synthetic oil and go back to a good dino oil. he says Harley doesn't recommend synthetic oil in Sportster engines. He says it might be part of the reason for all of the sludge. But everything I read says just the opposite. He also says forget what the book says and start using only premium gas. Which I will do from now on.
The filter I use is the one sold by the dealer for the Sportster. and Mobil 1 does not come in a 20 w 50 only in a 15w 50
The engine also had quite a bit of carbon buildup on the pistons.
Lou

 

Bollocks. I'd be looking for a new mechanic myself. Something is definitely up. It doesn't matter if you use synthetic or conventional. Thats completely up to you. You can spend your life reading about the pros and cons, the do's and don'ts, but in the end it's your scoot, so you decide. But synthetic oil could not be blamed for sludge issues. Sludge/gelling usually occurs when the owner doesn't properly maintain the engine, and extends the oil changes way beyond the recommended intervals. Use a good conventional or synthetic, and follow MoCo's oil change interval and you will be fine. However I do urge you to do your own research on conventional vs. synthetic, and to research engine oil sludge issues.

As for fuel, I run premium fuel in my 1200 Sportster always.

And Mobil 1 does make a 20W50 oil. It's a specialized V-Twin formula. They make it 20W50 to appeal to the Harley crowd, and in turn rape you, I mean sell it at around 10$/qt. No thanks. I do know that Valvoline and Castrol both make coventional 20W50 engine oils so you can check into that if you are unsure of what kind of oil you want to run. Aside from that, I prefer and run Rotella T 15W40 conventional oil. In my opinion, Rotella is one of the best oils you can give your engine.