103 longevity and reliability

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Jan 20, 2011 | 08:24 PM

#21

emwolb

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 5,413

Likes: 17

From: eastern oklahoma

rick lees, the 103's are plenty fast, and there's a lot of potential in that size of motor. don't be concerned with papifun's comment, you made the right choice. now if you want something that's stronger than a stock S.E. 110, that can easily be done with a 103 and the right recipe. like .579" lift cams, forged 10.5 pistons, sepst, vance&hines 2 into 1 pro pipe, but that combo would make those quoted numbers of 90/110 seem weak, so it's all in the perspective. whatever you build, someone will always be out there who can out gun you. i see your viewpoint though, and yes, the 103's are a very durable motor and work great even stock. when mine was a 96 it had plenty of power, but the 103 really adds torque

Jan 20, 2011 | 09:37 PM

#22

DTTJGlide

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 2,561

Likes: 280

From: North Cental Iowa

I've got about 71K on my 103, Crane 570 lift cams & springs, polished & ported heads, & MM FI, still runnin great & I usually get 3 or 4 MPG better than my buddy's stock 08 FLHTC with a 96.

Aug 18, 2013 | 07:59 PM

#23

glock221

Road Warrior

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 1,305

Likes: 7

From: Council Bluffs, IA

Quote:

Originally Posted by DTTJGlide

I've got about 71K on my 103, Crane 570 lift cams & springs, polished & ported heads, & MM FI, still runnin great & I usually get 3 or 4 MPG better than my buddy's stock 08 FLHTC with a 96.

You still got the same bike? If so how many miles now?

Aug 19, 2013 | 11:02 AM

#24

TheGrandPoohBah

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 14,731

Likes: 2,536

From: Mountain Top, Alabama

103 is a most excellent motor.
The SE255 cam will give meaning and purpose to 6 gear.
Enjoy, and ride safe!

Aug 19, 2013 | 09:42 PM

#25

DTTJGlide

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 2,561

Likes: 280

From: North Cental Iowa

Quote:

Originally Posted by glock221

You still got the same bike? If so how many miles now?

I sold it, it had about 90K on the engine when I sold it, still running great. I've got a 09 RG that I got last May with 47K, I did a 103 with Andrews 54 cams on it as soon as I got it, it has 79K on it now. I usually average 43 MPG, as high as 45 a few times, 103s are great.

Aug 19, 2013 | 09:52 PM

#26

doc ock

Road Master

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 826

Likes: 0

From: Phoenix

My brother in-law has a 2010 Limited. Took it in for service at 70k. They found something wrong and after it was done he had a new motor put in the bike. Not repaired or remanufactured but a new motor. Not sure exactly on what was the problem but the dealer replaced it, no charge.

Jan 3, 2015 | 01:37 PM

#27

dhartrf

Stage II

Joined: Jan 2015

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

From: NH

103 longevity

Purchased a new 2010 Limited in Oct 2009, as of today there's 106,000 miles on bike - been truly awesome bike, live in NH & have ridden to Las Vegas/San Francisco 4 times & over a lot of remainder of U.S.-- no problems. As a helicopter mechanic, I tend to have things looked at, wearing items replaced early. 50k - compensator going bad, install SE compensator, 87k had to replace cams,lifters,followers as followers worn almost to metal plus new primary chain tensioner as almost worn through. Stage 1 & remap at 50k w no problems. At 87k had compression test - 125 front & 120 rear, still pulling strong.
This spring, doing rebuild on transmission (as some thin metal flakes when change oil for storage) plus probably new clutch plates (no problems yet, just preventive maint).
Another trip to West coast in June being planned. Majority of miles have been Interstate highway, so can't complain About performance. Whenever engine begins showing fatigue, will be having Harley re-build & probably bump it to a 110. Bike has performed excellent in my book!!

Jan 3, 2015 | 04:59 PM

#28

Delta

Road Master

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 871

Likes: 7

From: Manchester, NH

Welcome to the forum, from NH as well. When you get ready to refresh the engine why not stay at 103 or maybe bump to 107? If I were to go to the expense of a 110 I'd be thinking 113/117. Just food for thought. What part of NH are you from?