OP...

There has been a very contentious rivalry between two companies after the first company that made Johnson Lifters went out of business many years ago. IIRC, both claim to be the heir apparent of the much loved, former Johnson Lifters.

I will share my opinion:

It has been years since I read through all the stuff about Johnson lifters and who actually IS the heir to their product.

There are currently two sources for "Johnson Lifters"

There is "Johnson Lifters" out of Taylor, Michigan. I can't say anything bad about them. However, I can't vouch for them either. I have never used their product(s) or had to deal with them as a customer.

Then there is "Topline Automotive" who make the "Hylift-Johnson" lifters. These are the ones that WFO Larry from Larry's Motorcycle & Machine sells. Topline's Hylift-Johnson lifters are made in Muskegon, MI.

From what I can remember, I believe Topline's Hylift-Johnson lifters are the resurrection of the former very popular and high quality Johnson lifters that went out of business many years ago.

Based on my experiences of dealing with Larry @ Larry's Motorcycle & Machine, they are a superior product at a fair price. I have never even had a question, let alone an issue (one that was self-inflicted), that Larry didn't go out of his way to remedy.

If you purchased "Johnson Lifters", then I can offer no advice about them, their customer service, or whether or not you should use the others.

If you purchased "Topline Automotive Hylift-Johnson" lifters, I would contact Larry (if you are his customer) or Topline Automotive about the issue you experienced. I know Larry would, and highly suspect Topline Automotive would, make it right. I also wouldn't hesitate to use their other lifters.

Anything made by man, however superior in design, will have an issue from time to time. In my experience, if your issue was with a Hylift-Johnson lifter, it is a rare occurence, will be made right, and wouldn't lower my opinion of their products..

I hope my info/opinion helps with your decision......

http://toplineauto.com/wp-content/up...on-Catalog.pdf

Don't bother reading the application guide at the end, it doesn't include motorcycles...

 

Sounds like wrong assembly of the motor to me.. Lifter not off the lobe when adjusted.. It topped out against the retaining clip and popped apart. Plunger came out far enough to **** and damage the lifter body.

 

The assembly was definitely correct and the retaining clip was still in there as it should be. I did talk to Larry’s. He said it didn’t surprise him. He used to buy them in lots of 500 and 10-20 didn’t fit correctly. He said he took all of them apart and checked everything. FYI he doesn’t use them anymore. They were the Johnson hi lift. I decided to go with S&S.

 

WHOA.... That's big news right there....

Can you give any more details of your conversation? What is he using now? When did all this start? I used older 2313SE lifters in three of my bikes.

He still shows the 2313SE as his "best selling lifter"....

This is the first I've heard of Larry's lifters having an issue...



EDIT: The web site shows what I said above, but the "online store" no longer shows the 2313SE. It does still show the 2313 and 2313S. He also now shows a GM "Delphi" lifter. I apparently missed the "news" about the 2313SS lifters failing and Larry no longer selling them.... I'm going to try and see if I can find out the details on this

 

Which Larry? The one I talked to today (WFO) said he hasn't had any issues with them..

 

Yes he has. Buy from him again? I don’t think so….

 

Subscribed..........

 

I posted on another forum that WFO Larry contributes to. I tried to PM him, but his mailbox was full....

I explained the claims of issues with the 2313SE lifters. I also included the post by FXRSam and his conversation with "Larry".

Here is what WFO Larry, from Larry's Motorcycle & Machine, posted as a response today:

"I never said any of that. I don't buy them in lots of 500. Somebody has their "Larry" mixed up with me.

FWIW I still sell the Hylift Johnson lifters. The 2313SE is out of stock right now & I was told it would be about another 4 weeks.

Lifter problems are rare. Usually a guy buys a set of lifters because he has a ticking noise & gets mad that the new lifters didn't cure it so he blames the lifters. Trying to tell them the problem is elsewhere is like talking to my dog & expecting him to answer. There are a lot of parts changers out there & fewer real mechanics. Diagnosing a noise in a Harley motor can be hard because of the way the sound travels through the engine.

Hylift Johnson lifters are still made in the USA. The body is forged in Ohio & all the machining is done at their plant in Michigan. Still the best lifter for the money IMO"



FWIW....

I don't know Larry personally. I have dealt with Larry in the past as his customer, and have read many of his posts on another forum. I consider Larry to be honest, straightforward, and very knowledgeable.

Based on Larry's response to my questions about the 2313SE lifters, I will continue to use and recommend the Hylift-Johnson lifters that he sells...

I don't know FXRSam, but it is obvious to me he did not talk to Larry, known as WFO Larry, and owner of Larry's Motorcycle & Machine. IMHO, FXRSam apparently has some of his "facts" mixed up.

I am not saying that it is impossible for one of WFO Larry's lifters to have a problem.... Crap happens... Good products sometimes have issues..

But I will say that for WFO Larry to say, "Still the best lifter for the money IMO." is good enough for me to trust them and use them...

Everybody is free to form their own opinion...

 

So on your 95 eg you had lifters fail?