Feeling out a 2004 FLHTPI
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 136
Likes: 17
From: sandusky Ohio
I had an 01 police bike and loved it. It got totaled. The best thing about the police bikes is the saddle bags. I love the way they latch and open. I have an 03 Electra now and I think the latching system on them is stupid compaired to the police bags. If you were to put a tour pack on it, you need to raise it 3/4 inch higher with spacers to clear the bag lids.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,520
Likes: 3,953
From: Vermont
True, I took that as a given when pulling the cams to replace the tensioners.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 185
From: Mountain West, Big Sky Country
My 04 police bike, has a lot of miles on it. Approaching 200k. The engine has been built 4 times, with the cases split once. First build was cams, gear drive, jugs(95 kit), pistons and heads, second was welded crank, Timken and hotter cams, rings, third was forged pistons with 107 kit and heads, last was rings, cam plate, cams, springs and larger valves.
The twin cam will hold up and is easily rebuilable. I've busted the case on one with a lifter issue, broken valve springs and had a crank shift.. not much that cannot be fixed, just takes money time and planning.
I would not be scared of an 04 with 42k. The bike has not really been ridden.. my 04 is right at 200k, my 10 is at 48k, and my 12 CVO is at 22k. All 3 are twin cams. All have had engine work. Buy it and ride it. When it breaks, fix it.
The twin cam will hold up and is easily rebuilable. I've busted the case on one with a lifter issue, broken valve springs and had a crank shift.. not much that cannot be fixed, just takes money time and planning.
I would not be scared of an 04 with 42k. The bike has not really been ridden.. my 04 is right at 200k, my 10 is at 48k, and my 12 CVO is at 22k. All 3 are twin cams. All have had engine work. Buy it and ride it. When it breaks, fix it.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 8,515
From: Bates County MO
From Harley
1) 24017-10 $20 Inner cam bearings ( the good ones)
1) 39954-99A $60 Outer cam chain tensioner
1) 39964-99A $60 Inner cam chain tensioner
1) 17045-99D $100 Cam service kit (all needed orings, bearings, gaskets, breathers)
From aftermarket
1) 2313 lifters $150
1) TW21 cams $ 300
Total parts (I would spend a little more and get fresh fluids/filters @ the same time) is around ~$700, plus tax and labor.
1) 24017-10 $20 Inner cam bearings ( the good ones)
1) 39954-99A $60 Outer cam chain tensioner
1) 39964-99A $60 Inner cam chain tensioner
1) 17045-99D $100 Cam service kit (all needed orings, bearings, gaskets, breathers)
From aftermarket
1) 2313 lifters $150
1) TW21 cams $ 300
Total parts (I would spend a little more and get fresh fluids/filters @ the same time) is around ~$700, plus tax and labor.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,915
Likes: 5,929
From: NorCal
My 04 police bike, has a lot of miles on it. Approaching 200k. The engine has been built 4 times, with the cases split once. First build was cams, gear drive, jugs(95 kit), pistons and heads, second was welded crank, Timken and hotter cams, rings, third was forged pistons with 107 kit and heads, last was rings, cam plate, cams, springs and larger valves.
The twin cam will hold up and is easily rebuilable. I've busted the case on one with a lifter issue, broken valve springs and had a crank shift.. not much that cannot be fixed, just takes money time and planning.
I would not be scared of an 04 with 42k. The bike has not really been ridden.. my 04 is right at 200k, my 10 is at 48k, and my 12 CVO is at 22k. All 3 are twin cams. All have had engine work. Buy it and ride it. When it breaks, fix it.
The twin cam will hold up and is easily rebuilable. I've busted the case on one with a lifter issue, broken valve springs and had a crank shift.. not much that cannot be fixed, just takes money time and planning.
I would not be scared of an 04 with 42k. The bike has not really been ridden.. my 04 is right at 200k, my 10 is at 48k, and my 12 CVO is at 22k. All 3 are twin cams. All have had engine work. Buy it and ride it. When it breaks, fix it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,915
Likes: 5,929
From: NorCal
From Harley
1) 24017-10 $20 Inner cam bearings ( the good ones)
1) 39954-99A $60 Outer cam chain tensioner
1) 39964-99A $60 Inner cam chain tensioner
1) 17045-99D $100 Cam service kit (all needed orings, bearings, gaskets, breathers)
From aftermarket
1) 2313 lifters $150
1) TW21 cams $ 300
Total parts (I would spend a little more and get fresh fluids/filters @ the same time) is around ~$700, plus tax and labor.
1) 24017-10 $20 Inner cam bearings ( the good ones)
1) 39954-99A $60 Outer cam chain tensioner
1) 39964-99A $60 Inner cam chain tensioner
1) 17045-99D $100 Cam service kit (all needed orings, bearings, gaskets, breathers)
From aftermarket
1) 2313 lifters $150
1) TW21 cams $ 300
Total parts (I would spend a little more and get fresh fluids/filters @ the same time) is around ~$700, plus tax and labor.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 185
From: Mountain West, Big Sky Country
I appreciate what you're saying and I agree with the old adage "nothing is impossible, just costs a lot". But the "Ride it. When it breaks, fix it." Isn't sitting real good with me as advice to new HD owners. I kinda get what your trying to say, but It's really all about proper maintenance. And then of course, lets leave out beating them to the breaking point out of this conversation. If someone intentionally beats their bike they have to believe something's going to break. Proper maintenance and normal riding these Twin Cams are fine. With a stock early year Twin Cam proper maintenance has to be understood that one area must include checking those cam tensioner shoes every 10k miles. It's not that big of a deal. And neither is opening the oil filter and looking at what's trapped in the media. See plastic, or metal and you should stop riding it until you find and fix the problem. Not just keep riding it until it breaks because that could be a blown engine.
I don't disagree and if you check the mileage I listed you can't make that without proper maintenance, I went gear drive to eliminate the cam tensioner issue. The reminder of my build issues were not maintenance related but performance related. 90% of people will not experience ever taking a twin cam apart if they ride like most Harley riders. The bike in question is a typical example. Avg mileage is 2500 to 3 k per year. So routine maintenance is not even routine, it's more like annual.
I've ridden that average miles in 3 days, so I expect the more you ride and the higher the sustained miles, the more you will spend on the engine and the likelihood of a problem developing is increased. That's simple math and is applicable to any mechanical device. Maintenance will not eliminate that it just delays the need.
I'm not saying ignore the problem, I'm saying chances are given higher mileage the problems will become more apparent. Fix em proactivly or don't, either way your going to spend the $$. One way you control the other you don't. And the one you don't conttrol could be more catastrophic.
Nice bike. If I was going to buy this bike and keep it, I would spend the money to upgrade the cam chest internals properly. Peace of mind is worth it to me.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,915
Likes: 5,929
From: NorCal
I don't disagree and if you check the mileage I listed you can't make that without proper maintenance, I went gear drive to eliminate the cam tensioner issue. The reminder of my build issues were not maintenance related but performance related. 90% of people will not experience ever taking a twin cam apart if they ride like most Harley riders. The bike in question is a typical example. Avg mileage is 2500 to 3 k per year. So routine maintenance is not even routine, it's more like annual.
I've ridden that average miles in 3 days, so I expect the more you ride and the higher the sustained miles, the more you will spend on the engine and the likelihood of a problem developing is increased. That's simple math and is applicable to any mechanical device. Maintenance will not eliminate that it just delays the need.
I'm not saying ignore the problem, I'm saying chances are given higher mileage the problems will become more apparent. Fix em proactivly or don't, either way your going to spend the $$. One way you control the other you don't. And the one you don't conttrol could be more catastrophic.
I've ridden that average miles in 3 days, so I expect the more you ride and the higher the sustained miles, the more you will spend on the engine and the likelihood of a problem developing is increased. That's simple math and is applicable to any mechanical device. Maintenance will not eliminate that it just delays the need.
I'm not saying ignore the problem, I'm saying chances are given higher mileage the problems will become more apparent. Fix em proactivly or don't, either way your going to spend the $$. One way you control the other you don't. And the one you don't conttrol could be more catastrophic.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
Ive an 04 RK myself, with 60k miles on it.
I went the shoes only route some years ago. At the time, it was the most economical route. Today, Id go gear cams, but thats a personal choice.
The outer tensioner will get minimal wear, as its trailing the chain. The inner tensioner is opposite, leading the chain, so it gets much more wear.
Another weak area is the inner cam bearing. Its pretty easy to do, as long as youre in there. Mine had a touch of galling, so I replaced that camshaft.
Mine has been basically flawless in the 6-8 years Ive owned it. Its huge, its heavy, and its delightful in its own way.
I went the shoes only route some years ago. At the time, it was the most economical route. Today, Id go gear cams, but thats a personal choice.
The outer tensioner will get minimal wear, as its trailing the chain. The inner tensioner is opposite, leading the chain, so it gets much more wear.
Another weak area is the inner cam bearing. Its pretty easy to do, as long as youre in there. Mine had a touch of galling, so I replaced that camshaft.
Mine has been basically flawless in the 6-8 years Ive owned it. Its huge, its heavy, and its delightful in its own way.