Bottom end Failure
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 10
From: Oh
A couple years ago ( I believe it was 11' model year) HD went to using NO bushings on the connecting rods and the cams. I said at the time, "this is going to cause some problems in the future". Of course I was scoffed at by all the "experts".
Now I see another thread where someone also had their cams go south because the bearings went out. The cams used to have bushings to carry the other end but, HD eliminated those also.
Two instances don't make a trend but, how many others have happened that we don't know about? I still stand by my opinion that removing the bushing on the con rods and cam ends was wrong by HD but, I am just another poster with an opinion.
Now I see another thread where someone also had their cams go south because the bearings went out. The cams used to have bushings to carry the other end but, HD eliminated those also.
Two instances don't make a trend but, how many others have happened that we don't know about? I still stand by my opinion that removing the bushing on the con rods and cam ends was wrong by HD but, I am just another poster with an opinion.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,363
From: Western South Dakota
A couple years ago ( I believe it was 11' model year) HD went to using NO bushings on the connecting rods and the cams. I said at the time, "this is going to cause some problems in the future". Of course I was scoffed at by all the "experts".
Now I see another thread where someone also had their cams go south because the bearings went out. The cams used to have bushings to carry the other end but, HD eliminated those also.
Two instances don't make a trend but, how many others have happened that we don't know about? I still stand by my opinion that removing the bushing on the con rods and cam ends was wrong by HD but, I am just another poster with an opinion.
Now I see another thread where someone also had their cams go south because the bearings went out. The cams used to have bushings to carry the other end but, HD eliminated those also.
Two instances don't make a trend but, how many others have happened that we don't know about? I still stand by my opinion that removing the bushing on the con rods and cam ends was wrong by HD but, I am just another poster with an opinion.
Agree with the S & S 124 idea.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 39
From: Everywhere
Bottom end Failure
Originally Posted by blackx-runner
What was there logic for the cams causing the rod bearing failure.
Sounds like a BS excuse not try to get out of warranty. Keep fighting it and have them provide the proof that the cams were the cause of the issue.
Sounds like a BS excuse not try to get out of warranty. Keep fighting it and have them provide the proof that the cams were the cause of the issue.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
Lower ends are a crap shoot even stock. Let me know if ya need a guy. Yeah live'n the good life on the coast now! Party!!
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
I see a couple of the guys saying to get a 124 s&s motor. I did that and installed it all myself. Just to give you an idea, it cost about 9 grand in parts alone for my build. But I love how it all turned out in the end.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
the H-D engineers are designing for a 80 HP motor...so a perfectly engineered motor will have various component failures at 10 or 15% above that.
there is no sense in a 200 HP crank in a 80 HP motor if there are cost savings- esp if 90% of the riders don;t want to pay for extra capacity.
( and many of us are happily riding sub 80 Hp machines for many many trouble-free miles)
a replacement designed and built performance motor will give a better end result if that is the goal, then the nest weakest link will be found, clutch, primary drive tranny, bearings frame flex etc etc.
I think that most of us can come up with examples where cost savings influenced design or engineering decisions which adversely affect the product
Mike
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