So I installed TW-222 cams in my 2012 Road Glide about 1 year ago. When I ordered my cams, it was recommended that after 10K-15K miles I would want to seriously consider replacing the stock lifters with aftermarket lifters. I am fast approaching the point where I am going to do the job.


I have gathered that appropriate lifters (non OEM) will quiet down the lifter noise (correct me if my understanding is off), but my question is this: is there a performance benefit as well, rather than just getting a longer life out of better lifters?


Checking out for the day, time for a ride. But I look forward to reading some responses from those that are more knowledgeable than myself later this evening.


Thanks!

 

If your lifters don't bleed down after setting and make a lot of clatter for a few seconds on start up they are good unless they are wear on the roller. You can put lifters in it all day long and not fix the sewing machine weak lifter sound in the 2000-3000 rpm range. That is the nature of the beast and and no one on the PLANET makes a lifter to fix it for no amount of money so don't listen to the bull crap they try to tell you how great there lifters are. Need to get control of the cam chains or if you have gear drive get a hold of the back lash. But don't waste your money on lifters. If the rollers the roller bearing or bearing shaft in the lifter are good and it don't bleed down after it set's the lifters are fine.

 

There is no performance gain between lifters as long as they hold pressure and don't pump up. Big cams and rpm will separate quality lifters but on a stock or mild build even the stock lifters are fine; until the rollers fall apart...

 

No performance benefit. If they were stock B lifters I wouldn't touch them but I think '12's have C lifters so I'd replace them at 15K.

 

acchd: good information. Thank you. I have almost 30K miles on the motor, and probably 10K miles with the TW-222 cams in.


In response to oldhippie, it's a mild build: cams, headers, slip ons, stage 1, and fuel management. Very mild. Yours too is good info, and much appreciated, though I am going to dive into the difference between B & C lifters. That peaks my interest.


As of now, I notice nothing disconcerting. Nothing at all. But being a tech weenie, I prefer to stay in front of potential problems rather than react when they arise. We have some time to go before riding to Sturgis this summer, but that's the reason why I want to be in front of any potential problems. It's a long ride! Was just curious if there would be any performance benefit to any problems I want to avoid before I dig into the swap, if I indeed do so.


In response to the completely forgettable other poster (1/2" Bob?) thus far in the total responses given: your OPINION may be spot on, but your writing is p!zz poor, and you give no reason or empirical data to support your post. You just state what I should and shouldn't do if I don't have the the problem that you suggest. All of which did NOT even approach answering my original question. Being given an unsolicited opinion is like having to look at another's azz without any interest.....it's stinks and it's ugly. But thanks in any case....I'm good.

 

Op

Lifter failure on a twin cam is alive and waiting to mess with your riding season.

My suggestion is obtain a copy of the SE catalog.

Read the fine print concerning lifters mentioned on, i believe page 48 and 49.

Lifters are a wear item and recommendations are to replace every 7500 miles!!

I you are running one of bob's cam and using his lifters you can probably go 15 k.

If you are running stock hd lifters you probably should consider replacement

I experienced catastrophic engine failure due to a lifter failure at 15k on a stock CVO 110. This was after have the dealer inspection when i complained about lifter noise one month before warranty expiration.

Luckily i was bright enough to make the dealer put it in writing and then go home and purchase the ESP coverage. 45 days later lifter failure taking out the entire engine from the heads down including cracking the engine case on one side.

S&S lifters or Bobs lifters are all i will run. I changed out lifters on my 120r at 121 miles.

So like the fram commercial of the old days, pay now or really pay later your choice

My opinion based on my experience

 

If you do change lifters, change your oil pressure bypass spring to the Baisley 15% spring. It will add 15% more oil pressure and help keep it quieter and pumped up good. I did this on mine and its as quiet as stock.

http://www.baisley.com/oil_spring_product.htm

 

How many bikes would Harley sell if people would have to pay to change out the lifters every 7,500 miles? I agree they are a wear item, but not a replace every 7,500 mile wear item. The Harley 'C' lifter is junk, as you learned when you had one fail. A good replacement lifter such as the S&S will go 25,000 miles easily unless a person is running a real aggressive cam with high spring pressures.

 

Now we're getting somewhere. Thanks gentlemen.

 

I agree with you lifters should go 25k easily. With s&s or bobs lifters i would not hesitate to attempt that type of mileage however i won't on a stock harley lifter.

I would also think you have a better chance of extending lifter life if you change the overly heavy valve springs to something more reasonable