Twin Cam (88 + 96) motor life??? Harley Twin Cam Discuss Twin Cam (88 + 96) motor life??? in the Motorcycles forums; Well - I have a 2000 RK with 103,000 miles. I did change out the tensioners and upgraded cams and lifters at @ 63,000 miles, but the pistons and other ...

[Nahanahoku]

Well - I have a 2000 RK with 103,000 miles. I did change out the tensioners and upgraded cams and lifters at @ 63,000 miles, but the pistons and other top end parts remain stock. The engine is still as strong as day one. No oil leaks or abnormal oil burn. I am getting ready to check the tensioners again and upgrade to a 95ci top end before years end. I would think with conservative riding, changing oil, plugs and filters at regular intervals, tightening nuts and bolts on occassion and checking the plastic parts every 25k-50k miles you can get well over 100k on the top end.

Other parts start to go before the top-end.
- Rebuilt the front brake master cylinder twice due to corrosion from moisture (Tropical climate)
- Replaced the starter (just after hitting 100k miles - go figure)
- Replaced inner primary bearings and seals along with primary jackshaft bushing when I replaced the starter. No more weeping seals.
- Replaced front fork springs and fork seals w/Progressive springs @ 55k miles after a fork seal went bad. Blocked off the front air suspension due to constant air leaks in the system (not needed with progressive springs anyway) - rear air is fine.
- Replaced Stator @ 43K miles due to it shorting out (rerouted wiring on new stator per Service Bulletin) - 2nd stator no issues so far.
- Replaced primary chain tensioner pad - deeply grooved at @ 73k miles
- Replaced about 3 front motor mounts and one set of heim adjusters
- About 3 or 4 batteries, a couple of rear brake lights, one turn signal light, two headlamp bulbs and one passing lamp - several sets of brake pads, spark plugs and tires.

I use Castrol 20W50 (non-syn). Had an oil cooler for most of the life of the bike, but took it off around 90,000 miles because I got tired of replacing hoses and fixing leaks. It rarely gets to 90deg here, so I am not sure of the value of the oil cooler in this climate (Hawaii).

I have little to complain about my Harley. I worry more about rust taking over than I do the engine falling apart.

[shovelmike]

It sounds like the bike has certainly been serving you well. Regarding stator wire routing: That's the first I've heard of a service bulletin on that. Give us a heads up on that if you can, how to route properly. That's some valuable info since burnt out stators are certainly not uncommon. Ride safe (and enjoy your tropical paradise while I shiver in the cold lol) (: and GOD bless. Sincerely: Shovelmike

[KJBS]

Hi All,

I have a 2007 FLHX 96" with V&H Dresser duals, basic / classic slip-ons, & fuelpak. I just hit 31,000 miles of hard riding, NEVER lugging! I do hit the rev limiter sometimes!

I have had NO engine issues at all except low idle sometimes which I think is due to the feulpak.

[HarleyCruiser]

Well its been eighteen months since I posted this, bike still going strong, has 98 thousand miles on it. Change oil every 5k, even go seven some times and once 10k, depending on the type of driving, and how the oil looks.
Uses about a quart every 5k.
Need to change the tentioners again, looked and they are about 2/3 gone.
Love this bike, would ride it anywhere.

Originally Posted by HarleyCruiser

I am four miles from 80 thousand miles, plan on riding today so it will be history on my 01 fat. Bike still runs great, not afraid to go anyplace on it.
Replaced the tensioners at 45k still had plenty to go, so I am going to replace them at 100k along with lifters, cam bearings, and keep riding it. I hope to get 200k out of the top end, but wont complain if I get only 100k and have to go to the 95:-) ohh ohh ohh, honey maybe I need to replace the cam while I am doing it.
Always run Mobil 1, change the oil every 5, change primary and trans, at 10/15k.
Get 47-50 mpg.
Ride pretty conservative, but not afraid to get on it, but very seldom hit the rev limiter.
Love my Harley it defines who I am.

[Nahanahoku]

Originally Posted by shovelmike

It sounds like the bike has certainly been serving you well. Regarding stator wire routing: That's the first I've heard of a service bulletin on that. Give us a heads up on that if you can, how to route properly. That's some valuable info since burnt out stators are certainly not uncommon. Ride safe (and enjoy your tropical paradise while I shiver in the cold lol) (: and GOD bless. Sincerely: Shovelmike

SB M-1107 that came out in early 2001 shows how to reroute the wiring from the Stator/voltage regulator up along the frame tubes on early TC-88 (pre 02 I believe).

These stators have a propensity to leak primary oil thru the wiring (both inside and outside the insulation) and out the grommet into the connector which was poorly postioned along the bottom of the frame. Additionally, water would get into the common connector and mix with the oil.

M-1107 removed the connector from the right side lower frame tube and rerouted the wiring from the stator up along the front frame tubes and back down to the regulator using zip ties with the connector secured up high behind the frame cross-bar. The wires are more visible, but it fixed the issue of water and oil in the connector. As posted elsewhere - RTV outside the grommet cures oil coming out the primary externally along the wires.

[shovelmike]

Thanks, Nahanahoku.

[harold]

I want to get at least 100,000 miles out of it , but will just rebuild it when
when the time comes.
i have about 31,000 miles on the harley , the cycle is an 05 softail 88 cui .
The use is just about 50% highway and 50% freeway. The cycle is used
all year round when possible.

modifications are :
1) arlen ness intake
2) vance and hines exhaust
3) metzler tires
4) small lugage rack.
5) back rest
6) jaggs oil cooler w/ adapter and a semi synthetic oil .
7) PC iii usb
8) fueliing lifters
9) woods BW-BG6 cams. a bolt in.
10) night trains seat, a replacement for the badlander.
11) alternate side view mirrors.
12) axle caps , chrome , front and rear axle.
13) chrome swing arm inserts.
14) chrome head bolt caps
15) excell spark plug wires
16) chrome/rubber handle bar grips
17) chrome heavy rubber anti vibration forward foot pegs.
18) after market passenger pegs, but i liked the stock better, so put
them back on.
19) storage canister for registration fwrd.
20) storage canister over liscence plate , mini.
21) harley davidson emblem insert for back rest , both sides.
22) 8 ball inner tube caps.
23) smoked turn turn signal lenses
the only thing i can add is if your not a proffesional mechanic, im not , you really need a shop
manuel to help find your way around. God bless sky - harold
some day i would like to add a suicide clutch / shift set up ive always like the hand shift foot
clutch set up , especially since 98% of my ridding is cruising.

[rcfx]

I have a 99 FXD with 88,000 on it. At 34,000 I went with the S&S geardrive and andrews cams, 37g's. At that time my adjusters were shot and the chains had loosened and bashed my cams pretty bad. After that no probs what so ever. Been running Mobil 1 15-50 the car stuff since 13,000 miles. I live in Oregon so an oil cooler is not needed. Been through a few batteries and lots of brake pads and tires, and an alternator. Been a great bike!