2011 Sportster Engine FAILURE
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 731
Likes: 7
From: Windsor Ontario
I'm with the majority here... I'm not losing any sleep over a potential crank failure. For one thing, it's not going to grenade, the warning signs will increase gradually: you should be able to make it home on a failing crank, and I've known at least one person who did so... after putting 98k miles on that bottom end.
That said, HD did come out with a revision on that p/n around '06 and that usually means an issue they're not going to divulge publicly. From what I've read it appears to be bearing failure on the front rod in all cases. Now if that's a quality issue with the bearings, a lube problem or a design shortcoming, no one knows and no one's talking, but there is a definite trend of common failures without an apparent common root cause. As was noted, there are thousands of high mileage sportsters on the road without a problem, but who knows who could be next? Can you be proactive? How and at what cost? Should you worry? That's a subjective call... what's your alternative? trade the sporty in for something else. I'll enjoy my sporty and cross that bridge when I get to it.
On a related note... I've read many posts of owners working on their sportys... removing or tightening the engine sprocket nut with an impact wrench ...that's not wise and makes me cringe every time. The crank is a three piece assembly, with the two flywheels aligned very accurately by the crank pin. Hitting that nut with an impact wrench creates a tremendous amount of asymmetric twisting force and is the quickest way to tweak the crank out of alignment. You can kiss that bottom end goodbye in short order. The proper way to tighten or loosen that nut is by jamming the sprocket with the appropriate tool from HD, or even a 4 inch door hinge, and using a breaker bar and torque wrench.
That said, HD did come out with a revision on that p/n around '06 and that usually means an issue they're not going to divulge publicly. From what I've read it appears to be bearing failure on the front rod in all cases. Now if that's a quality issue with the bearings, a lube problem or a design shortcoming, no one knows and no one's talking, but there is a definite trend of common failures without an apparent common root cause. As was noted, there are thousands of high mileage sportsters on the road without a problem, but who knows who could be next? Can you be proactive? How and at what cost? Should you worry? That's a subjective call... what's your alternative? trade the sporty in for something else. I'll enjoy my sporty and cross that bridge when I get to it.
On a related note... I've read many posts of owners working on their sportys... removing or tightening the engine sprocket nut with an impact wrench ...that's not wise and makes me cringe every time. The crank is a three piece assembly, with the two flywheels aligned very accurately by the crank pin. Hitting that nut with an impact wrench creates a tremendous amount of asymmetric twisting force and is the quickest way to tweak the crank out of alignment. You can kiss that bottom end goodbye in short order. The proper way to tighten or loosen that nut is by jamming the sprocket with the appropriate tool from HD, or even a 4 inch door hinge, and using a breaker bar and torque wrench.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 324
Likes: 2
From: Near Fort Bragg, NC
On a related note... I've read many posts of owners working on their sportys... removing or tightening the engine sprocket nut with an impact wrench ...that's not wise and makes me cringe every time. The crank is a three piece assembly, with the two flywheels aligned very accurately by the crank pin. Hitting that nut with an impact wrench creates a tremendous amount of asymmetric twisting force and is the quickest way to tweak the crank out of alignment. You can kiss that bottom end goodbye in short order. The proper way to tighten or loosen that nut is by jamming the sprocket with the appropriate tool from HD, or even a 4 inch door hinge, and using a breaker bar and torque wrench.
Ranchodeluxe
This current engine (the replacement) had approximately 23,000 miles when it failed. About the oil tank being cleaned from the first repair? I need to find my workorder and review it. I did have the replacement serviced at 500 & 1000 miles from the dealer.
I keep everyone posted as to my progress. I was in Belize for a month and a half, now i'm looking to either contact Harley or do the repair myself.
Thank you for your input.
This current engine (the replacement) had approximately 23,000 miles when it failed. About the oil tank being cleaned from the first repair? I need to find my workorder and review it. I did have the replacement serviced at 500 & 1000 miles from the dealer.
I keep everyone posted as to my progress. I was in Belize for a month and a half, now i'm looking to either contact Harley or do the repair myself.
Thank you for your input.
John Harper
You're right. I will contact Harley and explain to them my delimma. Just because my first is a "lemon", like my friend said, doesn't mean I will never own another ever again. If Harley doesn't do anything about it, then I will. I will be the one to put my bike back on the road.
Thank you for putting me back on track
You're right. I will contact Harley and explain to them my delimma. Just because my first is a "lemon", like my friend said, doesn't mean I will never own another ever again. If Harley doesn't do anything about it, then I will. I will be the one to put my bike back on the road.
Thank you for putting me back on track
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: sumter
Contact the Dealer that replaced the engine and tell them they gave you another bad engine. I realize it is out of warrenty, but if the same problem happened from the first time, then they are connected and the repair was never truely completed.
Update
My brothers. I wish you all a pleasant new year. The past 2 years have been very rough for me and due to personal life issues, I had been offline. To update you all, I did contact costumer care at Harley Davidson and opened up a SR ticket. I towed my sporty to the local dealer two days ago for a diagnosis. I will keep you all posted on the outcome and the problem. Ride safe.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
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Harley Rider for life
Hello my Brothers and Sisters. I have some good news and bad news. First the bad news. I received an email from Riverside Harley where my Sporty was towed to on January 20th with a copy of the repair order that stated there is "PISTON AND CYLINDER DAMAGE, VERY BAD ROD KNOCK, CRANK SENSOR HAS METAL FINDINGS IN IT." A complete Engine failure. That information was then sent to the Harley Davidson Costumer Care Technicians for evaluation. Seeing that it took me over a year to have it diagnosed because of personal problems, I felt that Harley would not replace my engine. I was preparing myself to towed my beloved Sporty back home for resurrection.
Today, January 27th, I got another call from Riverside Harley. Right away I was preparing myself for the worst news ever, that Harley wouldn't replace the engine. Instead, I was given the best news any one who loves and cherishes the freedom from riding a HOG would get, HARLEY-DAVIDSON WILL BE REPLACING MY ENGINE THE SECOND TIME AROUND!! If you have ever had your precious HOG go down and just had her parked there begging to be ridden, you must know how I feel. I was ecstatic and praised Harley for being so generous for giving my girl a second chance at venturing the road to freedom. My heart jumped for joy and i was speechless. The only out of pocket cost would be the diagnostic fee, $100.00 deductable and a new battery.
I am so relieved that this has finally coming to an end. Thank you Harley for being such a generous company and for looking after us little guys who don't have much to give. I will again be on the road to enjoy what I have missed most in life. The freedom of the road behind my Precious Harley, my Mistrezz.
And I thank you all, my bothers and sisters who ride for your support and input. I wish you all a safe trip to on the road of freedom. Ride safe.
Today, January 27th, I got another call from Riverside Harley. Right away I was preparing myself for the worst news ever, that Harley wouldn't replace the engine. Instead, I was given the best news any one who loves and cherishes the freedom from riding a HOG would get, HARLEY-DAVIDSON WILL BE REPLACING MY ENGINE THE SECOND TIME AROUND!! If you have ever had your precious HOG go down and just had her parked there begging to be ridden, you must know how I feel. I was ecstatic and praised Harley for being so generous for giving my girl a second chance at venturing the road to freedom. My heart jumped for joy and i was speechless. The only out of pocket cost would be the diagnostic fee, $100.00 deductable and a new battery.
I am so relieved that this has finally coming to an end. Thank you Harley for being such a generous company and for looking after us little guys who don't have much to give. I will again be on the road to enjoy what I have missed most in life. The freedom of the road behind my Precious Harley, my Mistrezz.
And I thank you all, my bothers and sisters who ride for your support and input. I wish you all a safe trip to on the road of freedom. Ride safe.
Last edited by BelizeanCrow; Jan 27, 2015 at 12:09 PM.