WFO Larry, owner of Larry's Motorcycle and Machine, is an old school Harley guy and mechanic. He is a frequent poster on another Harley Technical Forum I frequent. Being old school, is probably why he doesn't have a very fancy web site... but don't let that fool you about his knowledge, his product, or product support.

I read his advice and posts for several years now on that other forum. He is a Hylift Johnson, made in the USA, lifter fan. He is outspoken and unusually honest about his assessments of lifters, headwork, and other HD engine issues.

There is a history, and some confusion, over the "Johnson" lifter name. There are "Johnson" lifters USA and there is "Hylift Johnson".

I won't bore you with all the details, but the short story is: The original "Hylift-Johnson" lifters had some management, and financial issues. They were bought out by Topline Automotive. Production resumed in the same plant, with many of the same people who made the "Hylift-Johnson" lifters.

Larry sells those original "Hylift Johnson" lifters, now made by Topline, produced in Muskegon, MI for 60+ years.

They are a quality lifter and Larry sells them at a very reasonable price. He will also stand behind any lifter he sells you. I had one with a bent clip, and he immediately mailed me a few extra clips so, I could fix the lifter.

On the other Harley forum I mentioned, it is a technical forum with many posters who are in the business of fixing, and/or building Harley bikes & engines. Many of them are vocal about only using Larry's Hylift Johnson lifters in their builds.

I have used Larry's 2313SE lifters in two builds. They are a solid lifter in my experience and were cheaper than the old S&S premiums (my old preference) available at that time.

S&S no longer makes a premium (made in USA) lifter and standard (offshore) lifter. They only make one lifter now. Since I've been using Larry's lifters, I haven't bothered to look into the reasons S&S stopped making the two different lifters and went to one lifter offering, or where it is currently being made.

Good luck with your lifter buying decision.

 

Yes, you are right that there is a distinction between "Johnson" lifters and Johnson-Hylift" lifters. They are two distinct companies. And as to Larry's website, I will need to give them a call because even when I go into their online store section, nowhere does the Johnson-Hylift name appear. I am sure he does sell Johnson-Hylift, but I just want to make sure because Top Line Automotive, the parent company of Johnson-Hylift, does not list Larry's as a distributor.

Update: Larry just emailed me back and he confirms that he does sell the Johnson-Hylift lifters, so I will be placing my order with him.