Hi All,

My 09 FLHP with ~67k miles is at the dealer and I got a voicemail that after a compression leak down test, they are recommending new piston rings. I am not an expert here but if the pistons and cylinders are still OK, what else should I look into while the heads are off. If I were ever to get the heads ported/polished, wouldn't now be the time? Anything else?

THx

 

big bore kit, cams, headwork it just depends on how much you want to spend.

 

 

Not sure why anyone would take a ten year old bike to the dealer. But why are they recommending new piston rings, why wouldn't they upsell a big bore upgrade for only a few dollars more?

 

Go bigger bore, with increased CR and cams. Heads would naturally follow, but may not be essential with some options. Check out the SE catalogue for ideas and talk to the workshop manager. First confirm what he is reporting on and invite options. Bear in mind also that valves can leak and cause low compression and the heads shouldn't be refitted anyway without being over-hauled.

We're here to help spend your spare cash....

 

Once they break it down, there will be more...

 

At 60k, I'd be worried why that bike already needs rings. Maybe you have done mods to the engine and ride it aggressively. Maybe you never change the oil. I haven't a clue but if it's just a stock bike and you ride it like a normal person, something's wrong.

carl

 

Everyone says big bore kit. If you are happy with stock do a top end, Rings, valves, head cleaned up, have cylinders bored also.

 

Did this bike sit for years? That can cause rings to freeze up. I'd still hone the cylinders and then measure them.

Big bores kits are overrated. At 67k if you need more than 5 over pistons it was run hard and not maintained well.

 

Why the dealer? I had the bike in for the brake recall work. I was also getting the same labor rate as my indy and friends/family rate on tires, rotors, and pads.

Bike gets ridden 330 time/year for the last several years. Most of that is city traffic 20 mile round trip to work and then 1 2-5K road trip per year. 3 times I stretched 5K service interval to 6+K...the rest were done on schedule. Bike has and Arlen Ness SuperSucker, the HD tuning module since day 1 and 259e cams were added at 45K along with a new tune. I have been chasing a oil issue since about 30K. It burns 1-2 qts per 5K miles. At ~59K the primary seal was replaced as there was more than 1 qt where should have only been 1 qt. Because the oil burn persisted, I had the compression check done which drove this post

I will be speaking with the service mgr when the shop opens at 10AM.

THx all for the input.