Major engine repair question?
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 79
Likes: 2
From: Cumming, GA
Major engine repair question?
I'm a new poster/ long time lurker to this forum and have learned a great deal from the postings. I have an 07 Streetglide w/ stage 1 pipes, intake and PCV. Took the bike in to my indy mechanic for new tires and brakes and while it was there I decided to have the mechanic install the 255 cams i bought on ebay a few months ago. He pulled the covers off and did a cursory runout check on the crankshaft and it had .020" of runout. He commented that .004" was a lot and that .020" was enormous. He also miked the inside of the cam plate bushing and it was wallowed out significantly. I went by and confirmed this. Needless to say, im reeling from what I thought was $300.00 for cams install.
He says that I'll need to rebuild the crank and rods, and possibly rebore the cylinders, and replace the pistons if everything is scored. The cost would be $3000.00 - to $3900.00 if he goes with the 103 kit and new pistons etc.
I believe he's a square shooter but want to do my due diligence and get other opinions and recomendations. If I don't do the repairs, he said he could put it back together and I could run over to the dealer and trade it. I can't just do that. I'm sure the dealer would sell it as is and some poor guy would curse me forever.
I'll appreciate your comments.
Don
He says that I'll need to rebuild the crank and rods, and possibly rebore the cylinders, and replace the pistons if everything is scored. The cost would be $3000.00 - to $3900.00 if he goes with the 103 kit and new pistons etc.
I believe he's a square shooter but want to do my due diligence and get other opinions and recomendations. If I don't do the repairs, he said he could put it back together and I could run over to the dealer and trade it. I can't just do that. I'm sure the dealer would sell it as is and some poor guy would curse me forever.
I'll appreciate your comments.
Don
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 540
Likes: 3
From: Nooga, TN
At some point there needs to be a class action suit brought against the MOCO. These various well known problems are just plain and obvious bad engineering and manufacturing. The only way they will stop is if they are forced to build a good product. There is no reason to have these problems at less than 150000 to 200000 miles. It is just a case of bad engineering and cheap parts. They need to pay for ripping off their customers. This would not be tolerated in any other industry. I know you don't like to hear it, but goldwing owners would not tolerate this lack of quality. Moco needs to be taught a lesson. Flame away, I have had many types of bikes since 1974 and most hd, but hd has always lacked the engine and drive train quality of the others. P. T. Barnum was correct.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
New crank assy for sure, but the rest of it should be OK. Engines usually can be disassembled, inspected, and reassembled without putting in all new stuff. However, depending on how many miles you have, it might be the thing to do. Plus, theres still labor, which is quite high nowadays. So the new pistons, rings, boring, etc is just a small percentage of the total. No matter what, it's gonna cost.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 15
From: USA
If this guy is ligit, you're in a tough spot.
If I may, have you done a lot of burnouts? Is there a lot of miles on the bike? Not trying to give you a hard time, just generally concerned about the newer motors.
If it makes you feel any better, I took my fairly stock softail 88b motor in for a cam chain shoe tensioners at 17k miles, just to be on the safe side and got the same nightmare phone call. "Um, one of your cams is bad." What?!?! Yep, went down and checked it out. Cost me 1700 instead of 200. On the bright side, I ended up with S&S cams, gear drive, bullet proof motor after that. But still....
If I may, have you done a lot of burnouts? Is there a lot of miles on the bike? Not trying to give you a hard time, just generally concerned about the newer motors.
If it makes you feel any better, I took my fairly stock softail 88b motor in for a cam chain shoe tensioners at 17k miles, just to be on the safe side and got the same nightmare phone call. "Um, one of your cams is bad." What?!?! Yep, went down and checked it out. Cost me 1700 instead of 200. On the bright side, I ended up with S&S cams, gear drive, bullet proof motor after that. But still....
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 15
From: USA
At some point there needs to be a class action suit brought against the MOCO. These various well known problems are just plain and obvious bad engineering and manufacturing. The only way they will stop is if they are forced to build a good product. There is no reason to have these problems at less than 150000 to 200000 miles. It is just a case of bad engineering and cheap parts. They need to pay for ripping off their customers. This would not be tolerated in any other industry. I know you don't like to hear it, but goldwing owners would not tolerate this lack of quality. Moco needs to be taught a lesson. Flame away, I have had many types of bikes since 1974 and most hd, but hd has always lacked the engine and drive train quality of the others. P. T. Barnum was correct.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 915
Likes: 29
From: SE FL & Black Hills SD
17k... Ouch! I don't know what to tell you... Looking at $4k... I would be investigating what I could buy a complete S&S or Rev Tech engine with warranty for, what mine would bring on ebay
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 3
From: Chattanooga, TN
My 08 Ultra SE3 has been nothing but trouble, between the engine recalls and rusting chrome and now a starter issue. This is why a lot of us have a Goldwing as our dependable quality touring bike! NEVER any issues and my 09 Goldwing was built in America!