How many miles before major engine work?
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 714
Likes: 0
From: Western,NC
How many miles before major engine work?
I have more than 30K in my bike (08 RG) and the dealers are talking 13K on a trade for a new RGU. I love my bike, it runs great, it's never not started or left me stranded but with 51K on her I'm wondering at what point I'm going to have to start spending big bucks on repairs. I added the 103 stage 2 at 20K, the cam tensioners looked new then, I change mobil 1 v twin every 4K and added an oil cooler when I begin to tow a trailer. What is reasonable mileage to expect before it needs major work and what are the most likely parts to wear out first?
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 0
From: Front Royal, Virginia
I have a friend who is a motorman in a nearby county. He put me in touch with the mechanic that sevices all the bikes. I asked him that same question. He said a properly serviced bike should do 75/85,000 miles before needing a top end rebuild. Pistons, valves etc.. That doesn't sound to bad to me. I'm thinking $600 should cover that, less if you do it yourself. Also said to look for 120,000+ on the bottom end.
Gary
Gary
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 154
From: Lake City, Florida
Back in the late '90's I read about a older guy who rode an Evo powered Electra Glide more than 240,000 miles without any tear downs or major repairs. He was from North Carolina, he only changed oil and filters every 3000 miles, they listed all brake pads, tires and mileage that they were changed etc. And that was in the days when we all were using regular motor.
Change your oil and filter every 3000 miles and don't run her into the high RPM's to offen, if you want to go the distance.
Change your oil and filter every 3000 miles and don't run her into the high RPM's to offen, if you want to go the distance.
Last edited by jamesroadking; Sep 23, 2010 at 09:21 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 281
Likes: 5
From: Reno, NV
I have an 06 Electraglide Standard that has just over 88,200 miles on it. Compression is very good. Leakdown test looks good. Uses NO oil between 5,000 mile oil changes. Runs great. Had the Cam chain tensioners changed at 60,000 miles but it didn't need to be done.
All the Harley mechanics and old time riders I talk to can't believe it's still running strong. I think that's because they're still thinking of the days when HD advertised how easy they were to rebuild because they needed to be.
All the Harley mechanics and old time riders I talk to can't believe it's still running strong. I think that's because they're still thinking of the days when HD advertised how easy they were to rebuild because they needed to be.
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 5
From: In the north
There are guys in my area with 88 TCs ,with over 100K on them, that have not been opened up yet.
It is all in how you drive it and maintain it. Ride it like a two bit hooker and you will be looking at some repairs. Ride it and maintain it like a true loved one and it will just keep going and going and going.
It is all in how you drive it and maintain it. Ride it like a two bit hooker and you will be looking at some repairs. Ride it and maintain it like a true loved one and it will just keep going and going and going.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,802
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, UT. Dushore, Pa.
On my 92 Evo I did the top end around 97K and Harley remanufacture eng at 154k. I used Harley dino oil and changed about every 3k. Hopefully the new improved twin cam can do as well. I did switch to Syn oil for the heat and have extended my oil changing interval so time will tell.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,763
Likes: 2,597
From: san antonio
75K - 100K before a top end refresh; possibly longer with regular fluid changes and the engine has not been abused with wheelies, burnouts or drag racing.
Last edited by djl; Sep 23, 2010 at 12:55 PM.
