I plan on hanging on to my 09 Ultra, I’m contemplating a motor rebuild. The focus would be longevity not HP. The stock 96” has inferior bearings, pressed crank…etc. What are your thoughts on an economical way to attack this?


As it sits: 96ci – PCV – SE / KN intake – SE touring slip-ons. I was thinking about having the heads cleaned up, replacement crank (forged), near stock size pistons and jugs. I’d like top shelf bearing design throughout, possibly mid range cams.


Again HP / TQ are NOT a factor the stage 1 runs fine for my style. I’m looking for maximum miles on this build.

 

If it were me, I'd run it the way it is until I had 70k+ miles and needed freshening up then I'd tear it down and go in with cams, bearings, 103, etc.

 

ride it.

rebuild when there is a reason

mike

 

exactly nothing wrong with the stock HD motor--there are few horror stories out there. I'm willing to bet that a stock HD 96 Motor maintained to minimum standards will provide 100k trouble free miles

 

Man go see Danny at his cycle shop in Magnolia. Find yourself a good backroad ride from Katy. There are some nice farm roads through there.

He just got done putting Rineharts, Ness Big Sucker, S&S 510 cams, and his signature Delphi tune on my '12, 103 EG. Couldn't be happier.

He is the most knowledgeable person and best mech/tech I have ever known when it comes to HD and S&S V-twins. And you are a short fun ride away. Call him and make an appointment. NO BS. He will give it to you straight and warranty his work.

http://www.dannyscycleshop.com/index.htm

 

a. Have the lower case T and lefty bearing
b. true and weld crank
c. forged rocker bases
d. billet cam plate
e. compression release
f. Inner primary bearing
g. high energy magnetic plugs for eng, primary, tranny
h. oil cooler
i. minor fuel tweak like with xied
j. decarbonize heads every 25K miles
k. replace lifters at 25K
l. 30T sprocket on trans output
m. 68T IDS sprocket on rear wheel
n. adjust drive belt with 2 persons sitting on the bike.

 

If your happy with the way it runs now and ts not giving you any problems , ride it into the ground then look at a rebuild. I have a few friends with 70,000 to 85,000 on stock stage 1 88 and 96 and they are still going strong only maintaince and chain tensioners. One of the guys I ride with went almost 90,000 and then swapped for a S & S I think its a 120 something on his 02 RK

 

Get the SE 110.Clean the heads up, get the comp right.10.5-10.8, get a better exhaust,cam,tuning device,& dyno tune & call it a day!!!

 

Do nothing but ride it, and don't pay attention to the internet Chicken Littles. Your stock bike will easily run to 100,000 miles with proper maintenance. If you're happy with the way it runs (and it sounds like you are), don't fix what isn't broken.

If/when you feel like you have to change something, stick with a stock compression 103 and a mild cam. Don't bother with the crank unless it becomes a problem.

I've got almost 43,000 hard miles on my Stage 1 bike. All I've done is change the oil, primary fluid, and clean the air filter every 5,000 miles, and change the plugs and transmission fluid every 10,000. Don't start changing stuff unless it gives you a reason to change it.

 

+1, my 09 is just getting broken in at 31,500, a riding buddy has 80k on his 08RG and another has 177k on an 02 RG, both original top ends. I would see how much you get out of your "inferior" crank and bearings.