Cracked her open and ...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
Years ago I used to be a truck mechanic and I saw plenty of engine cylinders with the crosshatch still visible, even on high mileage. If the oil and filter are changed regularly, regardless of the oil brand, the engine will wear evenly and properly and last many, many miles. About the only time crosshatch was completely gone was on extremely worn engines, those that had piston knock, or ones where the pistons scored the bores. Our bike engines should never get that bad if we change oil regularly in them.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,716
Likes: 13
partner of mine who worked at lake shore hd had to tear apart a motor harley supplied with 100,000 miles to measure it all out and he said there was hardly any wear on anything and it was all within spec. amazing
I think the quality of the lubricants we use now has a lot to do with it also. there are a lot of additives in both syn and dino oils now that contribute to long engine life. Course, most of us are rather religious about oil changes too. that reminds me, I am due a 5K. Know what I'm doing tonight.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 19
From: Naples FL / Pine TWP PA
Years ago I used to be a truck mechanic and I saw plenty of engine cylinders with the crosshatch still visible, even on high mileage. If the oil and filter are changed regularly, regardless of the oil brand, the engine will wear evenly and properly and last many, many miles. About the only time crosshatch was completely gone was on extremely worn engines, those that had piston knock, or ones where the pistons scored the bores. Our bike engines should never get that bad if we change oil regularly in them.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 19
From: Naples FL / Pine TWP PA
I think the quality of the lubricants we use now has a lot to do with it also. there are a lot of additives in both syn and dino oils now that contribute to long engine life. Course, most of us are rather religious about oil changes too. that reminds me, I am due a 5K. Know what I'm doing tonight.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: Newport TN
the first Harley I ever rebuilt was back in 73 and was a 1960 Sportster XLH with (93,000miles. it ran ok and it was just out of newbie ness and winter that I tore it down. anyways the dealer mic it and said 10thou would clean it up. so I went 30over just for kicks.
this was back when all we ran was shell 30wt oil all year long in the southeast. oil changes is the life of any engine .
this was back when all we ran was shell 30wt oil all year long in the southeast. oil changes is the life of any engine .
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 862
Likes: 3
From: Henderson, Nevada
If I tore my motor down and there was any cross hatching patterns on the cylinder walls, I'd think the rings never sealed properly, due to heat scoring of the rings. I may be a dope (big deal) I think well sealed cylinders and rings should look like polished chrome. I'd be interested in what Roger Penske or Carrol Shelby have to say about this one.
Last edited by Harleyboyddk; May 14, 2011 at 10:43 PM.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,598
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From: Naples FL / Pine TWP PA
Well I do know on some the BMW motors it takes 50k+ miles to get the rings fully seated. Of course those motors are known to go well over 300k miles. Harley may be taking a page from BMW. I don't know.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,242
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From: west Michigan
Modern manufacturing technology allows engines to be built to much tighter tolerances than they were thirty years ago. At 33K the cylinders on my '78 XLCH were worn almost to max spec and the valve guides were shot. They've come a long way.
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