Twin Cam Harley-Davidson Engineering is it's Own Worst Enemy
Вставка
- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- Twin Cam Harley-Davidson's engineering can be it's own worst enemy. chances are if you're buying your first Harley-Davidson big twin it will be a twin cam powered motorcycle. Over all Twin Cams are pretty solid but some of the engineering in them doesn't work in favor of longevity. That's not to say you won't get the miles out of one but there are some expensive repairs you could also save yourself from along the way.
SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE www.youtube.com....
Random and Funny Videos!!
WEEKND OPs Playlist www.youtube.co....
Bikes on the channel:
Motorcycle: 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200CP (Sportster 1200 Custom)
• Harley-Davidson Sports...
Custom Parts Installed:
LED Headlight amzn.to/2LY4NA4
LED Bulbs Front Signals amzn.to/32PjpIT
LED Bulbs Rear Signals amzn.to/2OaqP5j
Smoked Out Turn Signal Lenses amzn.to/2Oaz41m
Vance & Hines Twin Slash 3 slip on exhaust amzn.to/2O9mqQ8
Screamin' Eagle Heavy Breather air cleaner
Vance & Hines FuelPak FP3 amzn.to/2M0tV9r
Harley-Davidson Reach Seat
Harley-Davidson Chrome and Rubber Collection grips
Drag Specialties Offset Clevis Footpeg Conversion Kit
Aftermarket Chrome Foot Pegs amzn.to/30C68SA
After Market Chrome Shifter Peg amzn.to/2LBTTAZ
Aftermarket Chrome Crash Bar amzn.to/308QFhg
Aftermarket Detachable Back Rest
Aftermarket Docking Hardware For Back Rest amzn.to/32RhZ0j
Harley-Davidson Air Flow timing cover
Harley-Davidson Air Flow clutch cover
Screamin' Eagle spark plug wires
Screamin' Eagle spark plugs
Black Front Axle Covers amzn.to/32TrSe1
Flipped Down Stock Mirrors
Motorcycle: 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200X (Sportster Forty-Eight)
• 2017 Harley Sportster ...
Custom Parts installed:
Harley-Davidson Factory Security System
LED Headlight amzn.to/2OcFih2
LED Bulbs Front Signals amzn.to/3086pQV
LED Bulbs Rear Signals amzn.to/34VFfw9
Smoked out turn signal lenses amzn.to/2Oaz41m
Vance & Hines Twin Slash 3 slip on exhaust amzn.to/2O9mqQ8
Screamin' Eagle Exteme Billed Air Cleaner (Black)
Vance & Hines FuelPak FP3 amzn.to/2M0tV9r
Harley-Davidson Burst Collection Foot Pegs
Harley-Davidson Burst Collection Grips
Harley-Davidson Burst Collection Shifter Peg
Aftermarket Black Crash Bar amzn.to/32MsUZq
Screamin' Eagle spark plug wires
CNC Front Axle Covers amzn.to/31GGE7W
![[UA] NAVI проти G2 Esports | Blast Premier Fall Final](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QWlIm4FGESQ/mqdefault.jpg)
What all have you done to your Twin Cam to increase the engines longevity?
UltraCool oil cooler, Fueling high flow oil pump, get rid of catalytic converter, and a GOOD tune.
Stage 1 tune...Jagg Oil Cooler
There just isn't much you can do for longevity if your gonna ride it fairly hard ! But the things you mentioned will help ! Best bet is still 99 to 02 good crankshafts & timkin bearings on the left side & a change to gear drive !
I just stopped driving it. Sold it. Now have a V Rod
2010 Superglide C & still have it. Proper tune, side mount oil cooler, Baker compensator w/ Hayden chain tensioner, breaking upgrades for safety, Progressive rear shocks and heavy duty front springs, LED lights all around.
Honestly, i wish i never bought it.
I have a stock '99 Heritage Springer last year Evolution motor it's bulletproof. She rides like a dream. Just a beautiful motorcycle.
I’ve got a 98 Electra glide classic with the evo, 39k unmolested miles 😊. Got a lot of life left in her!
Right with the two of you. 98 heritage. Not a springer unfortunately but I love her just the same lol. My forever bike. My son has already staked clame on it when I die
My 99 Evo powered night train softail is were I will spend my time and this is after over 50000 miles on a twin cam
Ya I have a twin cam and an evo road king. If I could only keep one it’d be the evo’.
I have a FXRC and would take it any day over my road glide.
You know man, I've been working on Harleys at a shop or on my drag bike or some friends that is low on cash since 1978 when I got out of the Marine corps. I love watching your videos my fellow gearhead! You keep me brushed up on stuff I forget or have forgotten. Since riding a quarter, or eight mile at a time I don't have the same issues and I also don't keep up with the year that something came out or they changed. You keep me squared away on that! BIG TIME ! Thanks dude I'm a sponge too. Outstanding job man, please keep it up !🤜
Do you really want to buy a motorcycle with all these problems and expense later on?
I changed the automatic tensioner to a manually adjusted Baker primary chain tensioner for the reasons you discussed.
My 1993 883 evolution sportster has been bulletproof to 108,000 miles. Twin cam is a crappy design.
Thank you for a great video as always. Sometimes I miss the saggy shelf, it was like a co-host. Sticking strictly to my longevity mods I replaced my tensioner shoes in my 2003 with Twin Power shoes, replaced the cam bearings with Torrington, swapped the oil pump with an S&S that tolerates run-out better than the stock pump, These bikes should have NEVER left the factory with these cranks, no left Timken, inferior cam bearings, and inferior tensioner shoes. Even if they chose to run a cam chain on the outboard side of the cam plate they should have never used a chain on the inboard side. There should have been gears on the backside. Harley is NOT the premium motorcycle they claim to be.
Oh God I just have to laugh. Maintenance on my Sportster is so simple the little I have to do. $400,000 miles on the bike still on the original primary chain as well as the original engine. I can basically change all the fluids and filter in my driveway in like 30 minutes. It asks so little of you criminal not to do the stuff it asks of you. My Triumph TR6 my 1965 is 50 years old Plus and it's still on the original primary chain I have never changed it. Just check the tension and adjust it once in a blue moon as needed.
Sportsters are awesome. I've had 2, and saving up for one right now.
Another excellent informative video. I always wondered why the primary chain was so long with that much extra length? Why did they not just shorten the chain and put a spring tensioner on it? The chain deflection alone is bad on the tensioner. There has to be a better design for a tensioner. As far as the stock oil pump? Use multi viscosity oil that pumps easily on start up like 20W50 or 10W40 4T mobil Everyone thinks thicker is better when that is not true. Amsoil. A friend of mine has a twin cam 103 and it is all stock and he puts thousands of miles on the bike without a problem. He has always put Amsoil in it.
Thanks Gixxer,your information is the best straight forward analysis of the Twin-Cam,I have a 2006 Lowrider,and I really like her.With your tips on making the engine more reliable and enjoyable.I ride her as much as I can and I don't abuse her,so I'm thinking ,these are the things I'm going to start saving for so I can pay now,and get these weak points strong,instead of paying to replace an engine if I neglect these fixes.Thanks again for taking the time to school us riders.
I recently bought a hydraulic automatic primary chain tensioner from southern oregon hot bikes. Very well made, time will tell.
I have one installed, running for 10k km's now without any issues sofar. Different brand but the same system. [HB125 type]
Besides alot of other upgrades I found that a 2" tanklift and deflectors from DK custums to increase the airflow over the engine is helping to keep the engine cooler. I don't need midframe deflectors on a hot day to keep the heat away from the inside leg. Also helps with reducing turbulance behind the fairing [2004 EG]
If you want increase you engine cooling, the most easy thing is to change the tank decal.
I have a 2005 dyna with 136 000 km. Just over 80,000 miles. I replaced the cam tensioners at 100K/62000. At 128K I added a 204 cam with the hydraulic cam plate upgrade.. so far, so good. Now I need a clutch, alternator, which I Will replace when I install the race primary gearing and chain. I never had an issue with the tensioner. It is the manual adjustment one. Maybe I got lucky, I’m still happy with my Harley. 17 years of riding, basically trouble free, makes me happy!
My 2004 had a 95" kit that had 100 horse 115 torque and the cam adjusters didnt go until 53000 miles and the motor still ran great when i sold it with 65000 on it. Make the heads flow better and adjust out the stock lean condition and it will not run hot, mine never did with no oil cooler.
Going to check out that Fueling plate and pump you mentioned but I think you are dead on in your opinion...texted before, I have 2 2002 FXDWG'S, carbureted, Timken factory crank bearings, gear driven cams (S&Something)...any modifications beyond this point are just not the same...lol 😆
You are dead on, IMO, the 2002A motor Twin Cam carbureted Dyna is the best Twin cam...but they too, had issues, just not as many 🙄
P.S. I know this isn't exactly what you said, I know what you really meant...someone SCREWED UP in 2003...and beyond............
nice one , a lot of common sense there ,, no need for water cooling on low power motors , but oil cooling = yes . here in the uk we do not get very many 'sumping' issues or overheating , the summer mornings are usually quite cool and the hot spot of the day is 1 pm , so by the time your bike starts suffering the day gets cooler ,,, [ not always ] .
I've said it before all the Twin Cam & M~8 upgrades are retro to EVO. VIVA el EVO!!!!!! LMAO.
Exactly the same was said by everyone about the Evo when it was new. Everyone hated it and only the shovel (or older) was a real Harley. We even had pre-evo rallies overhere for years. Now there's a newer engine and all of a sudden the Evo is the best and the Twin Cam is bad. I'm even starting to see people saying the twincam is way better than the M8, because the M8 is not a real Harley. It never ends, bikers are worse than little kids.
@@keesketsers5866 I know shovelhead riders that say the same thing. My 1992 FLHTC isn't a Harley even though I got over 206,000 miles on it. But the fact is from the flatties knucklehead, pinhead shovel head were all improvements & IMHO the EVO was the pinnacle. The twin cam & M8 some upgrades are downgraded to conehead shovel & EVO.
I have a TC 96. It has 68,000 miles with a stage one tune. I have no problems with temps, I do have oil temp gauge. Never had a problem with only tires, oil and brakes. Oil changed every 5000 miles in all three holes. Never changed the compensator or had problems with the tranny.
Same
Great video as always! Planning some cam work this winter on my 06 Deuce with 40,000 Km ( I'm in Canada ) S&S TC3 Cam Plate and shoes and High Flow oil pump with S&S 509 cams. Throwing it out for people thoughts... that set up or the Fueling you mentioned.
Does this video also apply to the 110 CVO Twin-Cam? 2015 RGU? Thanks!
interested in that info too. thanks for asking.
Hrrrmmmph several cam big twins......I still love my 31 year old EVO
My 1981 has a rubber block style compensator (stock primary belt)... so HD knows how to do stuff but then forgets about it... have you seen the new SWM V1200, what are your thoughts ?
Do you recommend doing the cam plate and cam/oil pump on new bikes too? I know the 17-19 M8’s had issues but didn’t know if the newer ones were more reliable.
Awesome video!!! I didn’t Know about that Stock plus cam plate. I’ve been wanting to “Fix” my 04 road kings cam plate. That might be the fix for me.
I am so in love with my 2002 TC. 88 Carb. Scoot. 2into1 pipe 95 big bore kit SS 583 cam with ported heads with bigger valve and springs. Also new paint job. About $14000.00 extra in the scoot she is ready.
@@Tomcat8911 The Cobra. Great HP gains and its not a super loud nasty cracking pipe. Neighbors don't mind it at all.
Well brother, what I did to mine was to install an oil cooler, fueling cams and oil pump with cam plate, shit canned the stock exhaust, a K&N air filter, slightly bigger injectors and a techno research tune,. The run out on my crank was fine, .001. this is an 08 street glide. I will put in a man o war , but that's winter work. Vance and Hines handles the noise. I run a Barnett clutch and use drag full synthetic in all three holes. The trans I flush every winter when I do my maintenance tear down and never found anything out of the ordinary, but maintenance is the key. We had two months of very hot weather here in Detroit this summer and my bike ran fine the heat was not objectionable. I never run my bike in stopped traffic, either I'm going around it or , and it was only one time that I pulled off and shut down. Fellas , keep em clean, use quality parts and fluids, and with some elbow grease , perform some upgrades. My name is Tom and I'm the senior tech here in Detroit, been doing it for 42 years. And I love the twin cam. 8's are good, love the Evo, but the twin cam is for me. Got a motor build in the works for this winter with some mods I've been thinking about, I'll keep you posted gix.
So much BS to deal with plus modifications makes a Harley a bad purchase. Unless you have endless time and money to own one.
At least I have an answer to why my trans main shaft bearing locked up. I put in a brand new tranny and then sold the bike. Never to get another Twin.
I would say combination of crankshaft slop and overtightened primary chain by the tensioner is what did it. There wasn't anything wildly different from the 5 to 6 speed tans, on thing they changed was the primary chain tensioner. 88's had the wobbly crank later years and never tore their transmissions.
@@GixxerFoo my 88" got 3 thou runout man...I guess I got a good one.
Hey Gixxer
I have a 15 103 fp3 s e air filter and slip ons ,and runs great... Im running motul 7100
Oil and change every 2000k just to give it the best chance possible...ps great channel man dig your vids over here in new Zealand
Cheers Murray
for the money they should be much better. In over 50 yrs of riding haven't seen a harley yet that wasn't modified to ( improve?) factory lack luster performance be that for power handling or braking. No thanks I can buy better cheaper.
So is this not an issue with the 2005? Because it's a manual adjustment? Maybe I'm not following
the price you pay for these bikes, Harley "SHOULD HAVE" fixed these issues straight out of the factory...go figure!
Gixxer....my 96 FLSTC followed your advice..........Stage 2 with 222 woods, 2 into 1 Cobra, External Breather Sifton / DK Customs, Screaming Eagle Compensator + Heavy Duty Clutch, Plus Cam Plate and Oil Pump, UltraCool Oil Cooler (above regulator). Add the 10" Todd's Strip Handlebars 1 1/4", Plumb in the electrical, Set of Hard Bags, remove the front wheel hub cap, add Magnum cables brake, clutch and spark plug, Progressive suspension front and back with RAP. Performance Machine 6 piston front caliper with floating disc. You now have my Hot Rod! Thanks for all your advice. Have a great Holiday!
I purchased almost a year ago now a twin cam 88 with supposedly a stage 3 which apparently by my research is a 95 kit, still concerned about what all has been changed as to the tensioner and cam plate which I look forward to opening up this winter so I have a better idea of what I've got and what supposedly been done
So I wrote to Doc Harley at Low Country Harley. He posts a lot of helpful blogs out here to help people. So, I asked him why I took the time to take my manual chain tensioner off and spend $125 for a Harley Automatic Chain Tensioner when its worse than the manual one and I still have to check it. I also asked why it takes Harley three tries minimum go get anything designed correct. I think if Harley had more and better Engineers they wouldn't need so many lawyers. I guess I pissed of Doc....LOL
I have an 07 wide glide with 32k miles, never done anything to the transmission or compensator. Should I be concerned? Anyone?
Keep them coming GixxerFoo ♥️💪
Keep Living the F#@KING Dream ❗
Safe travels 🙏♥️🇦🇺🐾🐾
hidrauylic tensioners kit by fuel
🛑🛑 Great Advice, Gix. 👍
If I don’t get the chance, Merry Christmas Buddy 🎄!!
If you buy a high milage twin cam thats in great shape otherwise , give a call to Kevin Baxter at Pro Twin Performance. The guy builds super twin cam or any Harley Davidson /Indian motor in his "Skunk Works" engine line S&S Cam plates and oil pumps, Darkhorse Cranks, Jims 6 speed transmissions. He uses only the best (time-power) proven parts available. Give him a call.
@@Tomcat8911 Over a year wait and still waiting.
Get real.Harley junk .Always has been.Main engine crankshafts riding directly in rollers instead of having a inside race.Numerous designs to screw their customers raw
Thats why I looked for the 2002 model with the hot forged camshaft. Great engine to use for a stage IV kit.
88's till 2002 used timkin bearings then after bad bearings aswell as bad cranks kill the twin cam. l
@@ssflh68ify Blew my '02 RK, just hit 60,000mi, threw metal throughout the motor from bad cam bearings. Still have the bearings ! HD offered no help.
@@daghostxxx1797 that would be on The List to ck every 20,000, main crank is the major problemo 03n up
Love seeing these twin cam vids. TCs will be around for a long long time and with them being affordable now, we will see them getting work for awhile
I enjoy our videos, thanks for sharing. I recently had my local HD mechanic (not a dealer) get inside my cam chest (TC 88 2002) and replace the tensioner pads. I have no desire for extra power or speed etc., but maybe I should have thought about the heat/longevity issue 🤔 Next time!
How many miles on it ? Mine went @ 60K, bad cam bearings.
@@daghostxxx1797 55000km. The outside pad was in good condition, the inside one (cam shaft side) was just about toast. Caught it in time before the metal on metal scenario.
Harley aka money pit
Hey Gixxer good info as usual, I have an 07 Streetglide, all S&S camchest, 551 easy start cams, Baker compensator, Hayden chain tensioner, Love Jugs, FP 3 tuner,and a Jagg fan assisted oil cooler. I Live in Florida, oil temps never get above 210-215. Totally worth every penny I spent on her.
I think it's important to remember that oil temps need to get above 212 so moisture boils out.
Just get a panhead
I did yesterday 🎉. Sitting next to my shovel 😊
My '06 Dyna 88inch (last yr of the 88"), shares the 96inch parts. At 10, 300 miles the Auto Tensioner destroyed my tranny bearings. Got it repaired, and replaced it with the Hayden Automatic Tensioner. But, it also has the improved Hydraulic Cam Tensioner. I now have 41,000 miles on it.
Man. Harley guys are boiling from the inside. Indian or honda for me. Thx
Does the 2006 and lower primary cover fit 2007+ dyna so I can adjust my primary chain?
If you have a motorcycle with a twin cam can you replace the twin cam with an Evolution motor?
I do believe there are some kits out there just for that, I know they have kits to put a twin cam in a FXR frame.
@@GixxerFoo I don't imagine anybody in their right mind taking an EVO engine out of an FXR and put the twin cam in it it just has such a shopping list of manufactured defects it's almost like a Norton Commando just as bad. And zmh just like my God I just shake my head at the thing. I don't know what the exemption is for low unit Manufacturing but if Harley is getting to that point I would go and get an exemption and then I would not have to be satisfying EPA and Euro 5 regulations. They'd be more like a custom builder with a production line and as your bike went down the line they were instructed to put whatever things you wanted to put in it. BSA used to do this during the 1950s you could choose the gear ratios and what in your transmission what type of transmission you had what type of Magneto Etc what type of tires you wanted for the use of the bike. Of course people say it's a customization service of them instead of just building one bike like Honda saying this is what you got. It's one of the things that killed them but I think that's one of the things that made them great. It's a shame that you have to buy so much thousands of dollars apart and then basically she can them cuz nobody wants them and then put on the exhaust you want and the controls you want and everything else which is such a shame after you spend so much money to begin with. Thanks for answering my question bye
S & S used to make TC cases with a EVO style rear mount . I believe that might still be available from Star racing also called G squared racing that's where all the S & S pro stock motors come from 159 cu in !
Oh yeah I have a 95 in TC motor in my wife's FXR !
The Evo was probably Harleys best big engine. Folks have put hundreds of thousands on them. I think Harley got bored and did what they did
I have an 07 rk. I went in to change the stator. Primary was adjusted perfectly. I went to the dealer to get the newer modified tensioner with the B suffix I’d read about, but apparently that part is now unavailable. Very odd.
I have a 02 FXSTB with the SE hole shot primary chain with updated primary chain adjuster, Updated Harley-Davidson cam plate. I have a new SE 2002 6speed I’m about to drop in, but wondering if that 6speed will give me any problems
Gixxerfoo, I have a 2000 Road King EFI, runs great and never gets hot. Stage 1 - V&H Dresser Duals, K&N stage 1 breather. I’m sure it had to have been tuned at some point before I bought it and I’ve looked for the tuner. Under the seat, under the side covers, etc. Anywhere else it might be hiding?! Possible to get tuned at the bike’s computer only?
You present insightful information in bits and pieces on all your videos. It might be asking a lot but, would it be possible to create a downloadable flow sheet that shows suggested upgrades for the various model years. This sheet would help ask the appropriate questions when shopping for a used motorcycle to know if mods have already been performed or if an expense should be anticipated.
where can i find a written transcript of this message. My hearing is not that good?
2013 CVO Road King....HOT AS BALLS.
Great video. Got 87k on 2012 TC Glide. Darkhorse compensator best thing I did. Added Hayden tensioner. Mobil 1 always. Refreshed the engine with new lifters and OEM cams. No reason to spend 30k on another Glide.
REQUEST!
Could you do a video on fork Emulators?? I recently installed Racetech. I've been hesitant to say they're worth the effort.
Amsoil and also Tribodyne oils dropped the head temperature on my TC96 FXDC 30 degrees and 45 degrees respectively.
GixxerFoo, thanks for ALL your videos. You mentioned getting a tuner, I have a carb 04 fatboy. I've adjusted it a little rich which is the way I've always have done my bikes, do you suggest still getting a tuner?
2010 FLHTK
I swapped compensator dark horse manowar
Chain tensioner
Oil cooler next
T.A.B. exhaust maps anyone?
T.A.B.
Awesome video thanks for the information
how to break the crank.. what crap.. the only real problem with these is the lifters.. just swap them every few years.. and all the mods you list need a tuner.. 400 bux.. what crap
Don't cheap on lifters, put some good ones in there and they will last a lot longer than stock.
Exactly what i did on my 88.... installed 510 ss gear drive cams
Great video man iv learned so much with your videos at what milage should the primary chain tensioner be replaced do you think
I have a 2014 flhxs with stage 4 kit installed at 20 miles on it when I bought it. Turned 40,000. Three oil change. WHAT do I need to watch for???
Valvoline VR1 Dino for flat tappet engines has all the vitamins and minerals a Harley wants, not to mention the most important factor, film strength. There isn't any magic tricks to a 100 year old air cooled V twin design, it all lies within the build and tune. Also, stop lugging your Twin cam, they like to rev.
Does anyone knows where i can finde a chrome horse shoe oiltank for a softail 01? I searched the whole internet but can’t find even one…
So what does that “tune” do to the air the rest of us have to breathe?
Just so glad I came upon an 2006 RK custom 88 TW with only 1 thow runout on the crank... put in a S&S gear drive, 509G cams, new lifters, S&S high volume oil pump, a power vision tuner, and none of the other 2007 and up problems.... Bike has been running fantastic for years now. Had 8 K on it when purchased, and has over 22K on it now.
TC not TW.... LOL
Both them tuners he suggested are junk , oil cooler yes . But the tuners he suggested.
Good stufff. Thanks
2005 Superglide here TC88, only mods are Freedom Performance full exhaust & Cobra 2000 fuel enhancer & have 22,000 trouble free miles & this bike runs strong, I’ll never sell this bike as it’s perfect as is, nice vid Gixxer, always learning from you!
03 fxdx myself. 1st harley. Gonna do cam chain fix this winter. Its perfect for me in height power and ride. 17000 miles on it now and I plan on keeping it to at least 60 to 70 thousand miles.
Keep her shiny side up buddy and ride safe.
Yea buying a used twin cam . I made that mistake from a Harley dealer a 12 street glide 103 . Checked out by service department. The crane went out in less than 1000 miles probably 500 ..so I got a SS 124 in it now that had work to the cylinder heads. I would not own a stock Harley twin cam . Yep I got a dark horse com , billet basket , chain drive , good clutch. DD exhaust ect ect money pits on both bikes . Both have SS engines. In my opinion lifters are a maintenance item , I don't wait till they fail .
For longevity of my 2016 TC FatBoy:
-External breather
- a Power Bank tuning to lower engine heat.
- every 5.000 miles oil & filter change.
Now 82.000 miles and no mechanic repairs at all.
Me and my friends must be lucky..and we ride a lot!
P.S. Great vid. Also I put a Fueling oil pump and cam chain adjusters. I did however go with the ss cam 583.
I wish there had of been more warning about rear pulley bolts breaking. Got my first harley (2008 Dyna low rider) this past spring and rode it twice for less than an hour total and broke the bolts and destroyed my pulley and wheel. Been sitting since and I'll never ever buy another because I was way less than impressed with it.
These kinds of problems normally arise because someone has put aftermarket pulleys on there at some point, or messed with the bolts. 99% sure that is the case with your bike, especially 2 hours after buying it. Those things don't just break out of nowhere.
@@keesketsers5866 it's a well documented issue. The spec for the bolt from harley is incorrect.
I am so thankful for this channel man. I am a noob when is comes to Harley Davidson but I am saving up for one. Kinda over riding super sports. But i am a mechanic and this stuff really makes me understand Harley engine’s way better. Glad i found your channel before I bought the Harley lookin for a fxr or a dyna still dunno yet slightly hanging towards the fxr though
So you’re saying that you want me to put at least another $3k in my bike? Oil cooler, manual primary tensioner, compensator eliminator, cam plate with high volume oil pump, and cams as long as you’re in there? That sounds like at least 3 grand. I might go with the $550 for a fan assisted oil cooler but money is tight right now so I might have to take the rest of your advice with a grain of salt, GixxerFoo!
Check out Riding in the Ozarks . He's showing some possible anniversary bikes . Look for the Breakout 117 and the Road Glide with a 131 . Really interesting
Great advice. I have done all of those mods for a cool running trouble free tc.
Really useful information, thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
@@GixxerFoo I have 11000 miles on my 96 dyna, a new primary chain tensioner to eliminate this problem is my priority.
Did the early carburetted Twincams overheat?
No they were lean from the factory but very easy to re-jet and make them run richer.
Have a 2012 Ultra Classic that had a stage 1 on it when I purchased back in April of this year. Put in a Thundermax ECM and it cooled way down. Gonna get a set of Love Jugs this spring to help if traffic gets slow. No issues with primary tensioner. Switched to Amsoil 80 miles ago.
Do you know how to use parade mode on your bike? It will help in traffic
@@anthonysimmons6884
What is parade mode?
@@12yearssober when you hold the throttle forward for a few seconds and it turns off the back cylinder. When activated: the bike seems like it's going to fall dead at idle, but doesn't.
@@anthonysimmons6884
I have a 2012 ultra limited with the 103. Will this trick work on mine?
I've got a 99 Roadking Tc 88...What Crank does it have? I just finished doing the Feuling Kit..Cams.. Hydraulic Tensioners from Feuling..the Runout was at worse 3/1000...Mechanic said that is marvelous for a bike with 40K plus miles..my question is do I need to worry about a press fit crank ?
When I read the title of this video, 'Twin Cam HD engineering is its own worst enemy ' , i thought that GixxerFoo was going to zero in onto the huge engineering disaster surrounding the failure of plastic cam chain tensioners built into their twin cams. He touched on it briefly but i think he failed to spell it out clearly and highlight it as one of the main problems involved in cam chain tensioner failure. If you want to get an idea of the work involved in replacing these two engine pieces do a You Tube search and you'll be convinced. Its definitely not a job for the backyard mechanic with a few spanners and a couple of hours to spare!!!
It's not bad with a service manual and some mechanical experience. There were several factors ranging from the first generation of cam chains, to the spring tension being too heavy and right down to the material used. But when it got lined out with the hydraulic system and new tensioner pad material things were much better and they last upwards of 50K miles.
@@GixxerFoo Thanks for your reply GixxerFoo. Harley Davidson may have improved on the old plastic cam chain tensioners on their more recent twin cams, but spare a thought for someone who innocently buys an old Harley twin thinking he got a bargain only to have the thing have a major engine failiure due to a cam chain tensioner failure and facing a big repair bill for an engine rebuild.
Yea.i argued with a so called Harley Davidson expert about my 06 street bob having a 6 speed . He kept saying I had a 07. I think I know what I ride. We argued about it for almost an hour. I even sent him the Harley Davidson paperwork about it having a 6 speed. He said I changed the paperwork to prove him wrong....lol
Like number 30...
Great video...
😎👍
Thank you! Cheers!
The Evo was the best engine made opposite the knuckle head
I absolutely love your channel, as a new subscriber I have learned so much, thank you so much for your clear and concise content.
Love the step-by-step process.
Thank you for all of your hard work.
Jeezus I never realized how lousy HD engineering was. I’ve had many new Kawasakis and Hondas over the years and never had to do anything besides regular maintenance.
What type of Harley can you get used for $5K ?
I just got a 02 super glide 4600 miles for 5k
Bought a 2000 Special Construction with a 110" S & S TC, 3 inch primo open belt super G carb,loaded into 99 & down Softtail, paid 4800 bucks 3 yrs ago. Got 3 sets of chaps & 2 helmets with it too. True story
Why you thinking you gotta pull the primary cover off to change the primary oil. Not necessary
what about timkin bearings not used in 2003 and to date? bad bearings give slop in crank and then it moves through the whole engine as well as trans
I have no idea why a huge v twin with tons of torque needs a 6 speed transmission. My 2006 Sportster does just fine with a 5 speed, and would do just fine with a 4 speed, as long as first and top gear were the same as on the 5 speed. I definitely recommend an oil cooler, and a manual primary chain tensioner, as well as the Feuling oil pump. I DO NOT recommend replacing the cams. Don't do ANYTHING to increase the performance of the engine. The cheap, crappy, pressed together crank is the weakest point in these engines, and it won't even hold up in a completely stock engine. A Harley is not a performance bike, it is a cruiser or touring bike. If you want performance, buy something else.
If you do plan on buying a Twin Cam, I would look for an '02 or earlier, with the Timken crank bearings. That cheap, crappy pressed together crank will hold up better. The next thing to avoid are the EFI models, 2007 and later. On the carbureted models, it is MUCH easier and cheaper to richen up the air/fuel mixture, and there are a whole lot less things to go wrong. Some of the later models are completely impossible for an owner, or even an independent shop to work on, due to the absurd amount of electronics on them. And dealers won't touch them. 14.7 to 1 is INSANELY lean. Lean enough to melt the engine down, even with an oil cooler. I live in AZ, where it is HOT, as in 110-115 degrees F in the summer. I run my 1989 FXRS Low Rider and 2002 Sportster 1200 at around 12.5 to 1. That is rich enough to lower performance, and eventually foul plugs, but it gives me a 50-60 degree drop in oil temperature, even WITHOUT an oil cooler.
No matter what you do, a Twin Cam will never be reliable without a ton of expensive modifications. It will need to be completely rebuilt, with an S&S crank with Timken bearings, geared cam drive, aftermarket oil pump, oil cooler, manual primary chain tensioner, and possibly even a new transmission. There were actual problems with the six speed transmission. Back when that transmission came out, people were complaining about loud noises coming from the transmission even when new. And if you have an EFI model, convert it to a carburetor. That can now be done with ALL Twin Cam models, due to a stand alone ignition system now being available. H-D combined the EFI and ignition into the same computer, and while it has always been possible to remove the EFI hardware and install a carburetor, it left you without an ignition. That problem has now been solved.
All of this will cost a fortune, but it will still be quite a bit less than the OTD price of a new M8 bike, which really isn't a Harley at all, it doesn't sound or feel anything like a Harley. And it is more computer than motorcycle. And you will have a REAL Harley that is even more reliable than a stock EVO. Obviously all this will not be an option for someone looking for a cheap Harley, but remember, cheap Harleys are cheap for a reason.
nothing like a shovelhead, and i also own 2 twin cams. when it comes to mechanical machines simple is super.
FYI, Harley Davidson DOES NOT MAKE THEIR OWN OIL PERIOD
I own an 03 road king classic I've changed the cam tensioners the needle bearings and changed to hydraulic pushrods it was the 30.000 mile service at about 28.500 and just regular oil and other fluid changes at About 5000 mile intervals other than that she's completely stock
What is the best year to buy a used twin cam bike, overall?
Overall on a Twin Cam, I would honestly go for something 2012 or newer. Get one with the 103HO, that's got a .511 lift cam over the non HO 103 which has a .466 lift I believe. But it will have more torque and a bit more horsepower.