2012 crank problems?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,880
Likes: 33,821
I think the forums and all the discussion has changed things over the years. I've always ridden with the ride it till it gives me a reason, also, but it seems a lot of people are spending a lot of time and money fixing things in anticipation of failure because they heard they were going to fail from somewhere. Kinda like the regulator thing lately, I just talked to a guy over the weekend who changed his even though he was having no problems. He said it was better to be safe now instead of sorry later. Wouldn't it be ironic if his new one wasn't as solid as his old one and failed?
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Capitol of California
Completely disagree! I do extended warranty work every month. I had a 2007 with 16k on a bone stock 96 that wad .031 out! Hot rod high reving motors are not the culprit...lugging is... IMHO
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
TC88,TC96 or TC103 the crank issue is rare and when it does occur it is most likely from abuse. I have faith that my TC96's and TC103 will never have the problem. I respect my equipment and take care of them.
Novice
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: TEXAS
I ride ther **** out of mine. 43K so far on the 09. Don't hot rod it just ride it. Most of the time the sweet spot is about 2700 to 3200 on the rpm scale. No racing ....
Just got a Friday at 430 bike.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
2009cruizer - Yes, I'm one of those "northern" riders. I only put 18,000 to 20,000 a year on mine by riding around North America and then put them to sleep for about four to five months. I have crossed every mountain range there is and reached every furthest point of landfall on the compass for the US.
I don't just ride around in circles where I live.
I have never experienced any flex or steering wobble ever. But then the wheel bearings and steering head is checked each service interval and adjusted if needed. Nor have any of my son's with HD's that tour with me. Our bikes are loaded with gear and my one son is 6'5" and 280 (he must be a Texan
). I'm sure his Ultra when loaded exceeds the GVWR for HD.
I don't just ride around in circles where I live.
I have never experienced any flex or steering wobble ever. But then the wheel bearings and steering head is checked each service interval and adjusted if needed. Nor have any of my son's with HD's that tour with me. Our bikes are loaded with gear and my one son is 6'5" and 280 (he must be a Texan
). I'm sure his Ultra when loaded exceeds the GVWR for HD.
Last edited by lh4x4; Jun 10, 2012 at 09:53 PM.
Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 267
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
Couldn't the culprit just be a poor design from the get-go? As far as I know, H-D bottom ends were known to be pretty much bullet-proof before the the MOCO went to the cheap cast plates and pressed-in crank pins used in the Twinkies.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 762
Likes: 14
From: Bellevue, NE
Yes. The guy I talked to at DarkHorse crank works said they have seen a lot of wrist pin bushing failures as well. My runout was .007 when it was checked, and I don't lug my engine. Some are better, some are worse. One of the mechanics at the dealership I use had a 110 on the bench with a .002 runout, so they vary quite a bit from the factory, apparently.
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Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 267
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
Yes. The guy I talked to at DarkHorse crank works said they have seen a lot of wrist pin bushing failures as well. My runout was .007 when it was checked, and I don't lug my engine. Some are better, some are worse. One of the mechanics at the dealership I use had a 110 on the bench with a .002 runout, so they vary quite a bit from the factory, apparently.
Well... Maybe not, but it sure seems that way sometimes.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 9
From: North Carolina
I would be willing to bet the ratio of crank failures to dyno runs is neck and neck. I have yet to see a bike run on a dyno that the operator did not induce and exterme amount of stress on the drivetrain... more than you ever would hot rodding around town.
I also don't understand this dyno sheet craze, look at my dyno graph it's better than yours. Its not just on Harleys but in the ATV world as well. I don't race my Harley but I do my quad... and I tell it like this, untill I am passed by a dyno on the track it doesn't mean a thing.
I know I am going to get this replied back, so I will go ahead and say it. Your bike does not need to be put on a dyno to be tuned.
and it's not just Harley's engineers cutting costs, my Powerstroke has PMR rods, incapable of staying together with more than 500hp, pre 2000 models had hot forged, same thing just trying to save a buck on a 45K$ truck. IDK maybe Ford and Harley are in cahutz, I'll let you know getting ready to sign the papers on a 2012 RK after lunch, we'll see if I can scissor the crank before the sun goes down.
alright, my dyno rant is over.
I also don't understand this dyno sheet craze, look at my dyno graph it's better than yours. Its not just on Harleys but in the ATV world as well. I don't race my Harley but I do my quad... and I tell it like this, untill I am passed by a dyno on the track it doesn't mean a thing.
I know I am going to get this replied back, so I will go ahead and say it. Your bike does not need to be put on a dyno to be tuned.
and it's not just Harley's engineers cutting costs, my Powerstroke has PMR rods, incapable of staying together with more than 500hp, pre 2000 models had hot forged, same thing just trying to save a buck on a 45K$ truck. IDK maybe Ford and Harley are in cahutz, I'll let you know getting ready to sign the papers on a 2012 RK after lunch, we'll see if I can scissor the crank before the sun goes down.
alright, my dyno rant is over.
Last edited by Wild Card; Jun 11, 2012 at 06:55 AM.