2002 Ultra
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 633
Likes: 1
From: Sterling Heights, MI
2002 Ultra
I have been a Sportster rider since 1977 and still am but now that I'm older I'm looking at a 2002 Ultra with 28000 miles. The bike is in beautiful condition and has been well taken care of. At what mileage can I expect to do a top end rebuild on the engine.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,462
Likes: 57,017
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Hey Iceman .... I wouldn't be as concerned with the top end rebuild as I would be with the cam tensioners. The Twin Cam is a strong and durable engine except for the tensioners. Mileage can vary ( sounds like a commercial ) but you should consider doing maintenance around the 30,000 mile area. I recently helped a buddy who had a cam chain tensioner failure at 55,000 and it wasnt pretty .... wound up doing MAJOR damage and had to do a total overhaul. Fore warned is fore armed. Use the price of the cam change tensioners as a " Purchase price negotiating tool ". Hope this helps.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
2002 is an excellect or the best (argueably) year for HD touring bikes. It has an upgraded swingarm from previous years, Delphi Fuel Injection, forged crank and timken crank bearings. As stated, the tensioners could be fried or close to it. I think the upgraded hydraulic setup cost about $429 for the parts.
Trending Topics
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 121
From: Northern Illinois
28,000 is nothing for the engine, but as others have stated the cam chain tensioners, need at the very least, an inspection. If they are worn to the point of needing replacing, there are a number of options in increasing expense.
Replace the tensioners with stock units. Nothing wrong with this approach. You will be good for at least another 25k miles. Fairly cheap too. It is easy to inspect the cam shoes.
Upgrade to the 2006/07 system. Requires new oil pump, cam plate, cams, chain, etc
Change to gear driven cams.
2002 is a good year. Last year of the double Timken bearing on the drive side (bulletproof), first year of the Delphi fuel injection system (still being used today), swingarm was beefed up with bronze bushings (replaced plastic bushings).
You should be able to buy the bike for 10k, hopefully less.
Replace the tensioners with stock units. Nothing wrong with this approach. You will be good for at least another 25k miles. Fairly cheap too. It is easy to inspect the cam shoes.
Upgrade to the 2006/07 system. Requires new oil pump, cam plate, cams, chain, etc
Change to gear driven cams.
2002 is a good year. Last year of the double Timken bearing on the drive side (bulletproof), first year of the Delphi fuel injection system (still being used today), swingarm was beefed up with bronze bushings (replaced plastic bushings).
You should be able to buy the bike for 10k, hopefully less.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 884
Likes: 26
From: Mesa, AZ
Got an 02 - Wanted a little more umph so went with gear drive cams - S/S 510's - Stage one with a Power commander and slip ons. Nothing to elaborate - Picked up 10 points on both numbers. Cam work was around 700.00 for everything including dyno if I remember correctly. Could have been closer to 800.00.
Everything else is standard maintenance with a stock 88.
Sounds like a good deal - 02 with 28k -Good luck -
Everything else is standard maintenance with a stock 88.
Sounds like a good deal - 02 with 28k -Good luck -