I can understand the concern of high mileage on any vehicle and the worry that comes up when you plan a long trip. A friend of mine has 99 wide glide with 175k on it. Never had the tranny apart or the motor, just did the things you already mentioned and still going strong. So compared to yours, you have low mileage and everything sounds good and works fine, I really wouldn't worry too much about the mileage.
High Mileage Twin Cams
I'm beginning to wonder if I'm entering an area of concern. I'm approaching 75K on my 2004 TC88 (stock internals, no mods). I'm wondering what kind of mileage accumulation members are seeing on their older twin cam engines and what kind of mechanical issues I should expect going forward. I have been inside the cam chest a couple of times for maintenance, including tensioner shoe replacement, servicing the oil pump, and cam bearing replacement, and I don't have a problem doing that. My engine does not consume any oil, the exhaust is clean and dry, it runs great and I think my noises are normal.
Any knowledgeable opinions about how far I can expect this engine to go without requiring teardown and overhaul will be welcomed. I love my bike but I worry just a bit about future reliability for long distance touring.
Please feel free to post your mileages and experiences.
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Any knowledgeable opinions about how far I can expect this engine to go without requiring teardown and overhaul will be welcomed. I love my bike but I worry just a bit about future reliability for long distance touring.
Please feel free to post your mileages and experiences.
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Don't sweat it.....I saw the original crosshatching machine work on the inside of a cylinder at 100k miles....installed new rings and kept going
Are you just looking for an excuse to beef that baby up? Lol As stated above, I think you will be fine if you're doing normal PM. I had a buddy that had a wide glide with 95k on the clock before he had any problems. And he rode that thing hard and put it up wet all the time!!
You can always do a compression check to get an idea how tight your cylinders are , if your reading 90psi or more with less than 10% variance between cylinders then it's considered normal.
Second compression check this time injecting a 1/2 oz of motor oil in each cylinder , if the readings (psi ) are considerably higher then this indicates worn piston rings.
Second compression check this time injecting a 1/2 oz of motor oil in each cylinder , if the readings (psi ) are considerably higher then this indicates worn piston rings.
Had an 88" in here once with 131,000 on the clock, that was never opened.I'm beginning to wonder if I'm entering an area of concern. I'm approaching 75K on my 2004 TC88 (stock internals, no mods). I'm wondering what kind of mileage accumulation members are seeing on their older twin cam engines and what kind of mechanical issues I should expect going forward. I have been inside the cam chest a couple of times for maintenance, including tensioner shoe replacement, servicing the oil pump, and cam bearing replacement, and I don't have a problem doing that. My engine does not consume any oil, the exhaust is clean and dry, it runs great and I think my noises are normal.
Any knowledgeable opinions about how far I can expect this engine to go without requiring teardown and overhaul will be welcomed. I love my bike but I worry just a bit about future reliability for long distance touring.
Please feel free to post your mileages and experiences.
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Need cam chain shoes/parts.
Valve job, port work, bored the cylinders to 95" with a used set of 203 take-off cams..........last we knew if had over 180,000 on it.
Scott
Those ole 88's are tuff as nails . Leave em stock (cept for tensioners) & they'll hang in there for the long run ! Seen & heard of many well over 100,000 miles . Haven't heard much on the 96" & 103's .
Had a 99 FLHR twin cam. Bought at 33k miles. Put S&S gear drive cams in at 65k. Sold with 89k miles on it and the guy is still riding it with no problems. Has about 118k on it now!
Thanks for the responses, guys! That's what I was hoping to hear. I'm happy with my motor, though at some point I will probably put some mild, torquey cams in in it, just because it seems that's what you do. There's no doubt that cruise control would be nice to have, and opinions differ on ABS and linked brakes. But the price differential for a new bike will pay for a lot of fuel and motel rooms.
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you deserve a new bike and you know it
I have 04' Ultra 49K miles, went with S&S 509 Gear Drive Touring Kit. I would like to have more kick through, its a great bike why by new? Maybe just rebuild motor or replace or leave it alone and ride it? Whats your take?
You're overthinking it....just ride.!I have 04' Ultra 49K miles, went with S&S 509 Gear Drive Touring Kit. I would like to have more kick through, its a great bike why by new? Maybe just rebuild motor or replace or leave it alone and ride it? Whats your take?
:bikerguy:
I agree , if ya got a good one even if its an ole good one , hang on to it .I have 04' Ultra 49K miles, went with S&S 509 Gear Drive Touring Kit. I would like to have more kick through, its a great bike why by new? Maybe just rebuild motor or replace or leave it alone and ride it? Whats your take?
Some people just have to have the latest & sometimes not so greatest ! :bikerguy:
I have 106,000 miles on my 04 never been opened original cam shoes clutchetc. Just maintainance work
you deserve a new bike and you know it
His old bike has too much soul.
Silverback, that girl has your back for a long time coming, man. She's just getting broken in.
You DO need cruise though, brother. I don't know how you live without it.
That is a creature comfort that I don't think I could live without. ..lolYou DO need cruise though, brother. I don't know how you live without it.
You DO need cruise though, brother. I don't know how you live without it.
I've gotten very proficient with the thumbscrew throttle lock and I have the throttle boss on my throttle grip. Cruise is the main feature of a newer bike that I would most welcome, though.That is a creature comfort that I don't think I could live without. ..lol
Thanks, Chief. That's really how I feel, too. It's very hard to think about not having her around, so that's probably never gonna happen.His old bike has too much soul.
Silverback, that girl has your back for a long time coming, man. She's just getting broken in.
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Didn't realize you have the lock. That's good enough most of the time.
And, that throttle boss is a nice touch. Added one when we did my apes. I like it a lot.
And, that throttle boss is a nice touch. Added one when we did my apes. I like it a lot.
This is great to hear! But you really do need to check those shoes.I have 106,000 miles on my 04 never been opened original cam shoes clutchetc. Just maintainance work
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1 - 20 of 54 Posts
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