High millage & Harley's
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 164
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix
Being this is the "TOURING SECTION" , figured it would be a good place to address this question. We all love Harley or we wouldn't be here. But how many of you have thought about the back end of owning a Harley. "HIGH MILLAGE" . We payed a pretty price for the bike we love. So now have we given it thought as to how long will our investment last. How long does these air cooled engines last ? The bearings are weak on the crank. The cams have no bushing in the cam plate. (metal to metal) . High heat (230 degrees).
How long should we expect our engines to last ? And how many Harley owners have high millage (above 100K ) motorcycles without a rebuild ?
How long should we expect our engines to last ? And how many Harley owners have high millage (above 100K ) motorcycles without a rebuild ?
My 09 is just under 23,000 so I'll let you know
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 1
From: Texas
There's a lot more to look at than just that. Cam bearings. New outer cam plate. Cam and primary tensioner. Crank bearings probably wont take the new top end and will eventually need replacing so i would have the crank pulled and change out the bearings and piston rods. (Their crap). The outer primary bearings will need changing. the wheel bearings both front and back. Head work. New valve guide seals. Bore the jugs or go with new jugs which you cans find everywhere now. New pistons. This list goes on and on. Now Harley has that new program where you can send your engine in to them and they will refirbih it for $2900 ( Labor not included) . I would say you could get away with $5K total and get 70K out of your rebuild.
Naaa. I think I'll just do the maintenance and keep riding it. If it needs a top end one of these days, I'll do it. It certainly doesn't need one now.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: New Kensington, PA
Love my Road King. Can't wait to ride as many miles as "I" can. I will do the recommended maintenance and just ride, ride, ride. I'm sure I won't think about that when I'm riding. Can't wait for Spring.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: SouthEast and NorthWest USA
FLHXXHLF WROTE: "This list goes on and on. Now Harley has that new program where you can send your engine in to them and they will refirbish it for $2900 ( Labor not included) . I would say you could get away with $5K total and get 70K out of your rebuild".
I Wonder ...Maybe you Know Sir... Does Harley Finance the Rebuild Cost? Right now, If I needed (Knock on Wood so Far) a Rebuild at $5000.00, I Might ..Might have to just put $2000.00 Down and Finance a NEW Bike.... I Don't Have 5K on Hand to Pay for a Engine....Interesting Question.
God Bless The Open Road.... "Country Fried"
I Wonder ...Maybe you Know Sir... Does Harley Finance the Rebuild Cost? Right now, If I needed (Knock on Wood so Far) a Rebuild at $5000.00, I Might ..Might have to just put $2000.00 Down and Finance a NEW Bike.... I Don't Have 5K on Hand to Pay for a Engine....Interesting Question.
God Bless The Open Road.... "Country Fried"
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: SouthEast and NorthWest USA
How Do I Delete That Above Post and Question??? I Googled it Myself, and YES, Indeed Harley Finances their Engine Rebuild...
I'm Set... I Guess God Willing This WILL be My Last Bike... (That's Either Good or Bad)
"Country Fried"
I'm Set... I Guess God Willing This WILL be My Last Bike... (That's Either Good or Bad)
"Country Fried"
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 10,788
Likes: 2,222
From: Texas
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 20
From: Salem, Or
You can always go in and edit the post if you don't like what you just wrote......................
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 19
From: Naples FL / Pine TWP PA
Thank you for your honesty. This is what i;m hearing. Bearing failures around 60K and top ends going out around 70K or using oil. In the 07's and 08's i hear bearing failures and top ends around 70K . This is the reason I ask, I'm of the opinion that Harley people buy harleys for the name and not quality, because its flat not there in the engine department. This twin cam engine has had more problems than any harley engine in history . Let me name a few things. Oil pump problems. Crank bearings bad, to much run off in the crank. Trans bearings going bad. Cam tensioner . Cam plate has no bushing. Piston rods can not replace the bushing have to pull the crank. And the list goes on. So from what ive heard so far, we can expect a rebuild or failures around 60K. Life expectancy for a top end ? 60K JM2