2004 Reliability
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
2004 Reliability
Well respected local mechanic recommends I NOT buy 2004 Ultra with 44k miles because I'm assured engine failure soon due to timing chain and bearing issues that will result in $3-$5k cost. The claim is that the best all around package was in 2002 and to not trust "higher" mileage engines after that year. Help a guy out, I'm riding a 1995 Fatboy with 63,000 miles on it and ready for a change. Nice dressers can be bought locally for $10k, but they have some miles on them. Should i be afraid???????? They cant all be ready to grenade after just 40k miles can they?
I am new to this forum and if there is a sticky I should be reading, point me in that direction and I will waste your time no further. Thanks.
I am new to this forum and if there is a sticky I should be reading, point me in that direction and I will waste your time no further. Thanks.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,086
Likes: 154
From: Buffalo, NY
Lots of info here from people who know more than me, but cam tensioners are something to be checked at higher miles. Either replace them or go to gears before you have a blown engine. Then you are OK for the long term. See if the guy you are buying from has changed them out
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 13
From: 501
I own an 06' and am told it's a mid model bastard child of a bike. I figure if I do the gears or hydrolic tensioners and whatever other failures are likely to occur, Like the voltage regulator, I will have every bit as good a bike as anyone out there. I know I ain't skeert to keep mine.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
Your mechanic is an idiot in one respect. Suggesting that the '04 is less desireable than an '02 because of timing chain failure is pretty stupid since the two model years share the same components.
Likewise, the crank bearing changed in '02, but there has never been a rash or problems with that and you can bet there are a lot of '03 and later models with tons of miles that do quite well, my '04 EG included with 60K+ miles on the clock.
Like buying any used bike, have it carefully inspected, especially the cam chain tensioners on any pre-'07 model year bike.
Carl
Likewise, the crank bearing changed in '02, but there has never been a rash or problems with that and you can bet there are a lot of '03 and later models with tons of miles that do quite well, my '04 EG included with 60K+ miles on the clock.
Like buying any used bike, have it carefully inspected, especially the cam chain tensioners on any pre-'07 model year bike.
Carl
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,450
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From: El Cajon Ca.
My last bike was an 04 E-glide. I tore it down at 32,000 for big bore and gear drive cams. When I tore it down it was virtually brand new inside. The tensioners were not even worn at all. I did my upgrades and rode it with a big smile till i wrecked it with over 75,000 miles on it. It was one of the best running bikes I ever owned.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 310
Likes: 1
From: White Rock, BC.
Find a new Mechanic!
There are No big issues with the 2004 Model Year as opposed to any year after 2002. Just plan on changing out the Tensioners and Cams before you do any riding if they have not been done already and you will be good to go. Add a Power commander if it's Fuel Injected and along with the cams you will notice a nice Power improvement. If it's Carb'd the expect to do a little jetting. On 2007 and up bikes at least have the new style tensioners inspected if the bike has about 50,000 miles on it. Some motors do have more Crank runout than they should possibly, stopping you from running Gear Drive but if that is the case you could update pre 2007 motors to the newer style Chain system if you had to.
There are No big issues with the 2004 Model Year as opposed to any year after 2002. Just plan on changing out the Tensioners and Cams before you do any riding if they have not been done already and you will be good to go. Add a Power commander if it's Fuel Injected and along with the cams you will notice a nice Power improvement. If it's Carb'd the expect to do a little jetting. On 2007 and up bikes at least have the new style tensioners inspected if the bike has about 50,000 miles on it. Some motors do have more Crank runout than they should possibly, stopping you from running Gear Drive but if that is the case you could update pre 2007 motors to the newer style Chain system if you had to.
Last edited by Kasper; Jul 9, 2010 at 09:57 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
79k on my 2000. I guess it's about ready for the junkyard according to your mechanic....I replaced the tensioners with gears at 52k and haven't looked back. I fully expect to go 100k+ miles with no troubles.