Need advice. Flywheels damaged.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Katy, TX
Need advice. Flywheels damaged.
2003 Road Glide, 80KMI: **disclaimer** I don't pretend to be a mechanic, so something I say might sound wrong.
I was hearing a knock in the front cylinder. Took it to my Indy. He says the flywheels are out balance causing the run-out to be .015. I could see the wobble in the flywheel shaft while he rotated the engine. He said it also damaged the cams when the chain got excessively tight and loose. I think the knock I heard was the chain hitting something?? The tensioners were fine though.
His estimate to fix was $4,000. There was a $1200 crank set (which could be a couple hundred less if going back to stock), about 1200 in labor, cams for 300 or so... then quite a few "incidentals" like bearings, synthetic oil, and some "other stuff". I really couldn't focus on what some of the small items were.
I told him this just would not work at all, that a Re-manufactured Harley engine shouldn't cost me much more than that so why wouldn't I choose that route instead?
I told him we'd talk again tomorrow, and for him to check into having the flywheel repaired/rebalanced at a machine shop? Can they straighten a warped flywheel shaft?
Shouldn't I be able to get a rebuilt bottom end for much less than what he's originally quoting me? I really don't plan on doing an engine build; it was not on my agenda. A stage 2 would be enough improvement for the type of riding I do. What's a practical solution here?
Thank you!
I was hearing a knock in the front cylinder. Took it to my Indy. He says the flywheels are out balance causing the run-out to be .015. I could see the wobble in the flywheel shaft while he rotated the engine. He said it also damaged the cams when the chain got excessively tight and loose. I think the knock I heard was the chain hitting something?? The tensioners were fine though.
His estimate to fix was $4,000. There was a $1200 crank set (which could be a couple hundred less if going back to stock), about 1200 in labor, cams for 300 or so... then quite a few "incidentals" like bearings, synthetic oil, and some "other stuff". I really couldn't focus on what some of the small items were.
I told him this just would not work at all, that a Re-manufactured Harley engine shouldn't cost me much more than that so why wouldn't I choose that route instead?
I told him we'd talk again tomorrow, and for him to check into having the flywheel repaired/rebalanced at a machine shop? Can they straighten a warped flywheel shaft?
Shouldn't I be able to get a rebuilt bottom end for much less than what he's originally quoting me? I really don't plan on doing an engine build; it was not on my agenda. A stage 2 would be enough improvement for the type of riding I do. What's a practical solution here?
Thank you!
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 196
Likes: 2
From: Murfreesboro, TN
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I suspect what he said (I can understand some of it going in one ear and out the other!) is that your crankshaft has gone out of alignment, which has caused it to also go out of balance. That shift to .015 runout is not healthy. Slickrick's suggestion is well worth looking into, although it sounds as if your man is talking of a new or rebuilt crankshaft for that money he quoted you.
Hopefully after a night's sleep and a deep breath you can talk things through with him once more and take more of it in this time! The trouble with problems like this is that the price never comes down, in my modest experience, but if the crank can be recovered Slickrick's way, that should help.
Hopefully after a night's sleep and a deep breath you can talk things through with him once more and take more of it in this time! The trouble with problems like this is that the price never comes down, in my modest experience, but if the crank can be recovered Slickrick's way, that should help.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Most likely scissored! In other words one flywheel has moved relative to the other one. I can't imagine a circumstance in which one would actually bend.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 175
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From: Katy, TX
This was my solution:
http://www.revperf.com/TwinCam/twinCamCrank.html
http://www.revperf.com/TwinCam/twinCamCrank.html
I already have 80K on it (previous owner actually, but always Dealer maintained for EVERYTHING). I thought the top end might need refreshing before too long. Maybe I SHOULD consider just doing a Re-Man job??
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
I would call and ask the crank guys about pricing.If parts of the crank have to be replaced,this will sure add to the cost.
With the indy doing the work,now is the time for up grades.
With the indy doing the work,now is the time for up grades.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
I guess it would depend on how much ya love this bike and how long ya plan on keeping it. There are used motors out there ya could put in it. The Harley crate motor isn't a bad deal but it is just a stock motor for not alot less than a good rebuild. If ya plan on keeping the bike rebuilding/upgrading your motor is the way I'd go. Since it will be all apart there are many performance/reliability options that won't increase the labor or even parts costs too much and you can end up with whatever performance/reliability you want. Might as well make a 103+ as long as it's apart.