Motor work after 40K
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 673
Likes: 4
From: Charlotte NC
Motor work after 40K
I was just wondering how many guys have contemplated doing some sort of motor work after reaching 40 k on the odometer. I mean just top end mods, cams, heads etc. My dealer told me he wouldn't throw the money at it because it was already at approximately half its rated life. Have you guys had any reservations about doing these kind of things at that kind of mileage.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
out of warranty or when the motor needs some work due to wear and is going to be refreshed is a good time to look at motor work...
why put in stock parts when performance parts cost the same, labor the same?
esp mild parts which won't cause other problems. choosing a package is the hard part
1/2 rated life? lots of rides with high miles on them, it's not the machines can't do high miles when taken care of- more the owners can't or don't need to, or have time etc. or the miles are spread out across multiple machines.
I wouldn;t allow performance work to exceed 30% of the value of the bike, you'll likely not get it back out...save all the paperwork!
mike
why put in stock parts when performance parts cost the same, labor the same?
esp mild parts which won't cause other problems. choosing a package is the hard part
1/2 rated life? lots of rides with high miles on them, it's not the machines can't do high miles when taken care of- more the owners can't or don't need to, or have time etc. or the miles are spread out across multiple machines.
I wouldn;t allow performance work to exceed 30% of the value of the bike, you'll likely not get it back out...save all the paperwork!
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Dec 18, 2013 at 03:46 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 17
From: Orange, VA,
I have a 2005 Dyna Wide Glide with 82k miles on it, all stock except pipes, does not use or burn oil and runs great, if and when it does start showing signs I will do a refresh on it, until then it will keep getting ridden.
Mine has 41k and I have the extended warranty (bought the bike this year with 34k on it.) I just had the Compensator, rotor, starter and inner primary bearing replaced under warranty. Harley tech said everything else looked good, and you know they like to replace everything allowable under extended warranty, especially when things are slow. I have a year and a half left on the warranty and I usually average 800 - 1000 miles per month. Before the warranty expires I will think of an excuse to have things checked over again.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
Wow - I sure don't consider my 2010 FLHTK to be more than halfway through the motor life at 61K. It runs good, I've got the ESP for another 3 years, when its expired the bike should have about 110K on it.
I get used oil analysis done at every oil change. The lab reports lower than average wear levels on the engine, so barring some oddball failure I should be good to go for a long time.
I get used oil analysis done at every oil change. The lab reports lower than average wear levels on the engine, so barring some oddball failure I should be good to go for a long time.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 80
From: currently an Okie
I'm waiting
I plan to wait until my warrenty is up before I do any motor work. I've got 25K on it now and bought it in March, so by the time my warrenty is up I plan on having close to 60K on it.
I'm thinking about just porting the heads and changing cams then.
I'm going to wait until I get 80 or 90K before I do a 107 kit. Of course, that will only be a year later.
I'm thinking about just porting the heads and changing cams then.
I'm going to wait until I get 80 or 90K before I do a 107 kit. Of course, that will only be a year later.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 5
From: CT
Don't get why you would wait until after warranty but that's just me. If you want the upgrade , just do it. With a 107 upgrade you've got a brand new top end, jugs, cams, lifters, and pistons. Of course I'm assuming you would be doing the work yourself as I am. I figure if I have the confidence to do that, I can fix almost anything else that needs fixing.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Trending Topics
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 185
From: Mountain West, Big Sky Country
i have an 04 with a 107 that has 144K on it. I did the 103 at approx 44K, then went 107 at approx 120K. Ride it until it breaks, then fix it. but when you fix it, do it right. Spend the $$ on the best bottom end, do the timken conversion unless you have an 02, get parts that work with each other and don't shoot for outrageous dyno numbers. A strong stout engine will last a long time and give many years of service.
these bikes can stand the abuse. I have a friend with a 10 Ultra with 90K on it. its his only form of transportation and he is 63 years old. he just keeps riding and sings praises about his ESP.
these bikes can stand the abuse. I have a friend with a 10 Ultra with 90K on it. its his only form of transportation and he is 63 years old. he just keeps riding and sings praises about his ESP.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 394
Likes: 29
From: Georgia
I'm going to say something that is not very popular here. "Don't do any motor work." Don't spend $2-$4K to make your Harley as quick as a factory VTX, Yamaha or Suzuki. You didn't buy the Harley for speed. Right now it's reliable, and quicker to 80mph than MOST cars. Leave it alone. If you want FAST, just add another bike.
If you're rich, do what you want. People sometimes hate it when I chime in..... throwing LOGIC into conversations that don't really want logic. But then again, you did ask ;-)
Ben
If you're rich, do what you want. People sometimes hate it when I chime in..... throwing LOGIC into conversations that don't really want logic. But then again, you did ask ;-)
Ben
Last edited by RoadKingCop; Dec 17, 2013 at 02:45 PM.
