At 45000...
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 83
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From: NE PA
At 45000...
Just finished tearing down the motor in my 02 RG...absolutely disgusted!
A little background first...I bought this bike with a salvage title, it was a theft recovery...fairings and bags were removed, based on how it ran, I suspected the cam tensioners were bad.
Well, I was right about the cam tensionsers...as I removed the cam cover they fell out in pieces, not a problem have an Andrews upgrade kit...new hydraulic plate, oil pump, cams, lifters, pushrods...etc.
But what I noticed taking the motor apart was it stunk horribly every time I removed a bolt, when I drained the oil...etc.
The heads look like they came out of a 150k mi car inside...all kinds of oil sludge.
This is my first TC, but I'm no stranger to the inside of a Harley motor, and none of mine ever looked like that. I've beat the **** out of my sportster and I'd bet money if you opened it now you could eat off the inside of that motor. My engine guy says its the Syn 3+ that had to have been used in the motor. I'm not going to argue with him, I don't know.
What's good to clean this up with without damaging my powder coat?
Other question is, anyone seen heads that look like I'm describing with less than 50k on the clock? Motor is carbed, and stock...or was before I opened it up...carb looked horrible too.
Thanks,
Shawn
A little background first...I bought this bike with a salvage title, it was a theft recovery...fairings and bags were removed, based on how it ran, I suspected the cam tensioners were bad.
Well, I was right about the cam tensionsers...as I removed the cam cover they fell out in pieces, not a problem have an Andrews upgrade kit...new hydraulic plate, oil pump, cams, lifters, pushrods...etc.
But what I noticed taking the motor apart was it stunk horribly every time I removed a bolt, when I drained the oil...etc.
The heads look like they came out of a 150k mi car inside...all kinds of oil sludge.
This is my first TC, but I'm no stranger to the inside of a Harley motor, and none of mine ever looked like that. I've beat the **** out of my sportster and I'd bet money if you opened it now you could eat off the inside of that motor. My engine guy says its the Syn 3+ that had to have been used in the motor. I'm not going to argue with him, I don't know.
What's good to clean this up with without damaging my powder coat?
Other question is, anyone seen heads that look like I'm describing with less than 50k on the clock? Motor is carbed, and stock...or was before I opened it up...carb looked horrible too.
Thanks,
Shawn
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Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Home
Brake clean works wonders. After the conversion maybe do a FULL oil change. Maybe clean up the heads if you don't have them worked on.http://www.bigboyzheadporting.com/showthread.php?t=84
Cruiser
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 147
Likes: 1
From: Alberta, Canada
As for the sludge, maybe the previous owner was one of those people who don't do oil changes regularly or even do them rarely with the cheapest oil. I have known people with cars like that so there are bike people like that too I would imagine.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
Our Ultra saw nothing but Syn 3 in all three holes for the first three years, while it was serviced under a dealer contract. The parts that came out for our cam change at 30K were as clean as could be.
It sounds to me like you bought a bike that the oil was seldom changed, if ever.
It sounds to me like you bought a bike that the oil was seldom changed, if ever.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
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From: Colorado Springs, CO
Sounds like the oil was never changed to me.
Brake cleaner cleans about as good as anything on htere. Make sure you wear goggles, the cleaner has a way to blasting back in the face, and it burns in the eyes.
~Joe
Brake cleaner cleans about as good as anything on htere. Make sure you wear goggles, the cleaner has a way to blasting back in the face, and it burns in the eyes.
~Joe
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
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From: anacoco, la
syn3 is fine oil. is it the best? no, but it isn't the worst either. i think your engine guy is just jumping on the bash hd bandwagon. any oil, if not changed in 45000 miles is gonna look like doo doo. i think the fact that it's a 'theft recovery' might give you a clue as to the quality of maintenance performed. taking 'ride it like you stole it' to a new level.
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 36
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From: Dayton, OH
Sludge = oil not changed enough. I worked for an auto manufacturer in the warranty deparment. Anytime sludge was found, warranty does not cover the engine repair. I have seen vehicles with 25k plus on them with the factory oil filter on them. The inside of the engine looked as you describe your TC.
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Joined: Jun 2011
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From: NE PA
Well, the bike was definitely ridden. I found a label on the bike where it was purchased and contacted the dealer and got the service records. Bike hasn't been serviced in about 15k.
I'm reasonably certain about the mileage, but like anything else, it wasn't mine so I'm not 100% sure of anything other than some people should be beaten..repeatedly.
I had planned on brake cleaner, but wasn't sure how the powder coat would react.
Heads will get ported over the winter when I do the "second stage" of the over haul. Right now I'm trying to get all the parts and pieces together and put the bike on the road before fall so I can see what else it needs/we want to do to it. Powdercoat should be back by friday so I can put the motor together...
I guess only time will tell
Thanks guys!
I'm reasonably certain about the mileage, but like anything else, it wasn't mine so I'm not 100% sure of anything other than some people should be beaten..repeatedly.
I had planned on brake cleaner, but wasn't sure how the powder coat would react.
Heads will get ported over the winter when I do the "second stage" of the over haul. Right now I'm trying to get all the parts and pieces together and put the bike on the road before fall so I can see what else it needs/we want to do to it. Powdercoat should be back by friday so I can put the motor together...
I guess only time will tell
Thanks guys!