I have a 1999 carbureted FLHR at Stage 1 (Mikuni carb, V&H Pro Pipe, SE 203 cam) and was getting ready to afford a full Stage 3. Then I got a knock. Long story short, took it to my local indy after I couldn't figure it out and he says some metal debris (probably a screw out of the air cleaner) that got sucked in and tore up a valve and my flywheel among other things. Indy is recommending a full motor swap considering what it would cost to replace heads and flywheel. I've only got about $4,000 to spare including labor, so the $5500 brand new S&S 111" he's recommending isn't an option.

Options I've thought of:
1. Just get a low-mileage 88ci off ebay ($1800), then get some 06 cylinder heads (bigger ports, better breathing than stock til I can port n polish). That way I can do the big bore kit this winter.

2. Get a 96ci stock motor and 6-speed tranny ($2300) and do a conversion to make it fit my 1999 drivetrain. Heard this was doable with some adapter plates to hook up to stock 88ci primary. Then I can bore up to a 103 later, and get the 6-speed upgrade because i miss it

3. Just split the crank case and replace the flywheel and anything else that's damaged, then swap cylinder heads to some '06 ones to fix the broken valve issue. Then all I have to do is bore it later.

4. Is there anything I haven't thought of?

 

Call Scott @ Hillside Cycles.... If anyone is going to be honest about your possible fixes and keep you in a realistic budget its him

 

Okay will do. I appreciate it.

 

He gas my bike there now... The world needs more honest people like him

 

with a 99, I would look for an 03 SE road king Motor on ebay. it came stock as a 103. Flywheels were ok, 1st year of non Timken and it was only offered in blond. Then if you ever wanted to you could go 107 in the future, you could..

However you get a 103. I would keep the five speed and if you are looking 6 speed low rPM's I would look into a front pully swap.. With a 103 you probably would not notice the difference of a 1 or 2 tooth decline in pulley size.

my opinion. Your $$, do what you want.

I have only done this swap on an 04, so while think in will retro fit down, you should verify yourself.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/03-Harley-FL...tWs84K&vxp=mtr

 

Wow haven't thought of that. Seems like it may be a tough find, though. I'll do some digging.

 

Hello Trainwrek43
If it were me I would not do choice 1,2 spending that coin for another 88 or the 96 to have something not any better that you possibly would keep putting money into. Even if you have to wait and get it done right and new at least a 103. Won't disappoint work fine with you 5 speed and you won't be touching it agin. It's pretty easy to swap in a motor call around see what you can get your motor done in a 103. I know it's hard to face the season w/o a bike but you would be happier if you do it once and right.
Russ

 

How would you go about getting into a 103? Just save for the S&S? Or build it out using what I have? I've heard it's a bitch using an 88" crank case to get 103" jugs. Just get an aftermarket crank case then?

 

You could always do the HD engine exchange for a re-manufactured one...
http://www.harley-davidson.com/conte...e_program.html
http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US...g-options.html

 

Whichever way you go be sure to drop the oil pan and clean it out before dropping the new motor in. There is a good chance metal made it there as well.