What have I got?

1852 Views 14 Replies 9 Participants Last post by damifino, Aug 17, 2014

glust

Discussion Starter · Aug 11, 2014

Hey all. Just took my 02 Electra glide 3,700 miles to Sturgis and back. What a great trip on a fantastic bike. I bought this bike back in September from a guy who traded bikes with a friend and then decided he didn't like this one. He had little to no information about modifications, upgrades etc. A good friend of mine at Sturgis commented that my bike rocks and rolls a lot at idle and is probably due to an upgraded cam. He also said there was a chance that since it pings like hell if not 91 or better octane, that I might have higher compression pistons. My question is... Is there a deanship registry for repairs/upgrades tied to my vin that I can access? I would even consider an hours labor for Harley to tell me exactly what I have. I have discovered that I have true duals (although i cannot find any manufacturer label, stamp or part number anywhere on the pipes). I do have the screaming eagle upgraded hydro tensioner cam plate, stock air filter, and a power commander. Also progressive springs from and back lowered 1". Any help is appreciated.

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Rohan

· #2 · Aug 11, 2014

You probably need to find out what dealer the previous owner got it from and then start there with the service records on the bike. If nothing comes up then the work was probably done by an indy shop. I don't think Harley tracks info like that from dealer to dealer.

-Rohan

glust

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 11, 2014

Thanks Rohan, I really want to know what I have. How can i properly look after a bike where the motor is sort of a mystery? I would even consider paying a shop to "inquire" about my motor

misinlink

· #4 · Aug 11, 2014

The rock and rumble could be a worn motor mount... Do you have adjustable push rods? How did you determine the plate was upgraded?

What is the map you are running or settings.

Does it ping or was that something he said could happen?

What do your spark plugs tell you?

Do you have a Moco service manual?

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Dave63

· #5 · Aug 11, 2014

Rohan said:
You probably need to find out what dealer the previous owner got it from and then start there with the service records on the bike. If nothing comes up then the work was probably done by an indy shop. I don't think Harley tracks info like that from dealer to dealer.

-Rohan

Harley does track info. But only if dealer did work. If not.....Rohans right.....find previous owner.

glust

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 12, 2014

misinlink said:
The rock and rumble could be a worn motor mount... Do you have adjustable push rods? How did you determine the plate was upgraded?

What is the map you are running or settings.

Does it ping or was that something he said could happen?

What do your spark plugs tell you?

Do you have a Moco service manual?

Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App

I do know he upgraded to the gel motor mount.
Discovered the plate when checking the condition of the cam chain adjusters

Don't know about the map

Have a manual

Breeze3at

· #7 · Aug 12, 2014

Pull the cam cover again and look at the end of the cams. Many have the mfg. and model on the end. Don't be mad at me if your cams aren't stamped. :mad

Hillsidecycleco

· #8 · Aug 12, 2014

Sounds as though something has been done.
The spark knock may very well be nothing more than a tuning issue.
Scott

glider1

· #9 · Aug 12, 2014

Sounds like you need to talk to the guy that owned the bike, you really do need to know what's been done .

glust

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 12, 2014

Thanks for the help. As a further point of investigation I want to do a simple compression test to see if I may have higher compression pistons/ lower head deck height, etc. What type of compression can I expect from a twin cam 88 with 32,000 miles? I know on dirt bikes you are supposed to measure this with the throttle wide open.

Silverback

· #11 · Aug 12, 2014

Rubber mounted Twin Cam engines shake a fat lady on a belt reducer at idle and smooth out at higher rpm. Normal. If this bike is new to you and your friends, you probably don't have a problem.

You should be runing premium fuel, so if you're not, that might explain the pinging.

--

Dave63

· #12 · Aug 12, 2014

glust said:
Hey all. Just took my 02 Electra glide 3,700 miles to Sturgis and back. What a great trip on a fantastic bike. I bought this bike back in September from a guy who traded bikes with a friend and then decided he didn't like this one. He had little to no information about modifications, upgrades etc. A good friend of mine at Sturgis commented that my bike rocks and rolls a lot at idle and is probably due to an upgraded cam. He also said there was a chance that since it pings like hell if not 91 or better octane, that I might have higher compression pistons. My question is... Is there a deanship registry for repairs/upgrades tied to my vin that I can access? I would even consider an hours labor for Harley to tell me exactly what I have. I have discovered that I have true duals (although i cannot find any manufacturer label, stamp or part number anywhere on the pipes). I do have the screaming eagle upgraded hydro tensioner cam plate, stock air filter, and a power commander. Also progressive springs from and back lowered 1". Any help is appreciated.

Based on a tuner and a SE cam plate, it can be safely assumed, at a minimum, you have after market cams. Stock cams and a stock air cleaner with a tuner is overkill. Would also run fine on less than 91 octane.

Another simple test for that, is to pop one pushrod plate, and lift the slider to look for an adjuster and a locknut.

As for displacement changes....you'd have to find records or at a minimum, measure the bore to see if it's been changed from the original 4".

Silverback

· #13 · Aug 12, 2014

Dave63 said:
Based on a tuner and a SE cam plate, it can be safely assumed, at a minimum, you have after market cams. Stock cams and a stock air cleaner with a tuner is overkill. Would also run fine on less than 91 octane.
.

I've often wondered about this. What octane do you run, Dave?

--

Breeze3at

· #14 · Aug 14, 2014

My '07 stock, except for 48H cams runs fine on 89 octane.

damifino

· #15 · Aug 17, 2014

possible two up style cam. will make a little thumper. also check ya plug wires. might be arcking at idle and making pre detonation and pinging. ..... stock air box . mixture cant be thatfar off stock. good luck. tear into her and see whats under that prom dress.

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