2011 ultra question
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From: Ontario
2011 ultra question
I have a question about my 2011 ultra .96 cu.in .80,000km (about 50,000mi.)I am the original owner. Have always done regular maintenance, fluid changes.brakes,tires,,flush brake fluid every couple years.Bike runs great.Stock except for v&h slip ons.No oil leaks.Just wondering your thoughts if i should be dealing with anything else on a preventive measure.I was thinking fork oil replacement for one.I also have an evo road king with the same milage which ive just done lifters,cam bearing and base gaskets as they have known issues around that milage.Anything i should be thinking about doing on my ultra 96 cu.in. Thks
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From: Ontario
Ya thks for that.I keep up with the stuff listed in the manual. I was thinking if there are any other weak links that aren't in the manual that should be delt with at that milage.For example on my evo the original cam bearing is an issue as are the lifters.
I've got a 2011 Street Glide with 40,000 miles and was thinking the same thing.
Done the same maintenance as you and I've never had any problems.
I did just replace the suspension with Ohlins shocks on the rear and Progressive Monotube Fork Cartridges up front. So no need to replace the fork oil or seals in the forks now.
My lifters started getting loud around 32,000 miles but I just keep the oil changed regularly and they keep quite.
I always check the wheel bearing with every tire change and check my drive belt several time a year.
Other than that I would say just making sure everything is tight and lubed and you should be fine.
Done the same maintenance as you and I've never had any problems.
I did just replace the suspension with Ohlins shocks on the rear and Progressive Monotube Fork Cartridges up front. So no need to replace the fork oil or seals in the forks now.
My lifters started getting loud around 32,000 miles but I just keep the oil changed regularly and they keep quite.
I always check the wheel bearing with every tire change and check my drive belt several time a year.
Other than that I would say just making sure everything is tight and lubed and you should be fine.
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From: Ontario
Ya.come to think of it my lifters are loud at start up on occasion and lasts 30 seconds or so.Not every start up though.Just once in a while.Does seem noisier than normal when it happens.Guess I'll just keep up with the regular maintenance and ride it .
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You're pretty lucky IMHO with that year bike... It has many of the Twin Cam upgrades, and only a few things to be aware of, but nothing pressing you need to fix...
You have the hydraulic cam tensioners with o-ring chains, so you are good there...
You have the updated self-adjusting primary chain tensioner, so you're good there...
Your bike was built before 10/1/2011, so you missed the bad batch of regulators, so you are good there...
You have the upgraded '09+ frame which includes better engine mounts (early twin cam baggers had some issues), and less chance of rear end "wobble" over earlier twin cams, so you're good there...
Your compensator isn't the best version of that era, but it's not as prone to failure as earlier versions, and doesn't need attention unless making noise or giving you problems...
You are the second year to get the crappy "C" lifters, but unless they start making noise, no reason to go into the cam chest... unless of course you want a new cam, then I'd change the lifters and inner cam bearings "while you're in there"...
When Harley went to the 25mm wheel bearings (2008 or 2009+), there were some that had issues... Whether it was a bad batch, or something about the bearing make/size is debatable, but on all my bikes I've gotten into the habit of checking wheel bearings at all tire changes, and if there are any signs of issues...
IMHO... you are at a pretty good place with that year bike to ride it, perform required maintenance, and just address any issues that develop, which will happen to all makes, models, years.....
Enjoy...!
You have the hydraulic cam tensioners with o-ring chains, so you are good there...
You have the updated self-adjusting primary chain tensioner, so you're good there...
Your bike was built before 10/1/2011, so you missed the bad batch of regulators, so you are good there...
You have the upgraded '09+ frame which includes better engine mounts (early twin cam baggers had some issues), and less chance of rear end "wobble" over earlier twin cams, so you're good there...
Your compensator isn't the best version of that era, but it's not as prone to failure as earlier versions, and doesn't need attention unless making noise or giving you problems...
You are the second year to get the crappy "C" lifters, but unless they start making noise, no reason to go into the cam chest... unless of course you want a new cam, then I'd change the lifters and inner cam bearings "while you're in there"...
When Harley went to the 25mm wheel bearings (2008 or 2009+), there were some that had issues... Whether it was a bad batch, or something about the bearing make/size is debatable, but on all my bikes I've gotten into the habit of checking wheel bearings at all tire changes, and if there are any signs of issues...
IMHO... you are at a pretty good place with that year bike to ride it, perform required maintenance, and just address any issues that develop, which will happen to all makes, models, years.....
Enjoy...!
Last edited by hattitude; Feb 21, 2022 at 09:39 AM.
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2011 Ultra
2012 Ultra. I would pull the cam crest at that amount of miles and replace the cam bearings, chain and tensioners. I would just replace it with an entire S & S set up including plate. I would do the oil pump also while it's apart. That is assuming you have done all the regular services required in the owners manual. My brother just did his 02 Road King with brake pads, wheel bearings,rear belt and new tires.. He spent over 5 grand. Now it's like new.
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