Topic: winter maintenance (Read 3265 times)

timo482 · « **on:** December 26, 2018, 09:54:17 PM »

My ultra with sidecar is over 30k now. stock engine, well, stock everything. I am hoping to tackle changing the final drive before spring - 30-68 probably. Final drive ratio is the one thing that is really bad on the 07, my earlier sidecar rigs all had better final drive ratios. - id go 30-70 if i could do it with a stock belt and harley pulleys.

The questions:
1 I am thinking of changing lifters. [probably S&S] Is there any reason to disturb the cam chest if the lifters look good when I remove them? Is there any reason not to just pull the stock pushrods and reinstall them? when it was brand new it had a oiling carry over problem really bad - got new pistons, rings, cylinders, new oil pump. it uses zero oil. runs perfect and i want to keep it that way.
2 I suspect that if i remove the compensator [still stone stock 07 and working] i should replace with current compensator?
3 if i find any loose, not perfect anything in the trans, ill do a baker door, primary bearing, and final drive bearing. - i am getting clutch lever walking more and more the last couple years.
a sidecar bike is heavy - riding it nice and smooth is rough service [and i ride it 80 occasionally on the freeway - has to be straight road for that] - is there anything else i should be looking at when i have it apart considering budget is important - durability is more important.
thanks in advance.

J.D. · « **Reply #1 on:** December 26, 2018, 10:18:10 PM »

1. Think about upgrading the inner cam bearings. Not much more cost or labor to upgrade the stock camshafts to a mild bolt-in.
2. As far as compensators, I'd say replace it when it gets noisy (whereas it's better to be proactive on the lifters).
3. Transmission should be ok at 30k but not uncommon for that shifter shaft lever seal to weep. Not sure though if the extra weight of the side car could have a negative effect.

timo482 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2018, 12:16:55 PM »

the compensator has to be removed to get to the trans sprocket.. im just wondering about putting it back - they told me they added a extra spring back when it was new so its not "per spec" but modified by a mechanic who has long since retired..........

J.D. · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2018, 01:54:11 PM »

Might not be a bad idea to document exactly what is in there but I don't typically replace a compensator as a preventive maintenance but rather when they start making noise.

timo482 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 28, 2018, 01:20:45 AM »

i don't exactly hear very well... sigh... 79 sportster with straight pipes... 77 glide with shorties etc.....

so, in reality ill never hear anything go wrong, ill find out when it quits moving on my 2000 the fist sign the cam bearings failed was poor throttle response - never heard a single thing.

so how do i tell if the compensator has a problem? is it possible to get the primary off and leave the compensator untouched?

*sigh*

J.D. · « **Reply #5 on:** December 28, 2018, 09:37:06 AM »

Yes, you need to be proactive on the camchest. If you hear noise the damage is already done. Whereas on the compensator, it'll rap for quite awhile before any major problems.

JKM · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2018, 05:31:40 PM »

- for sure replace the cam bearings. I believe S&S offers a kit with cam bearing and gasket.
- check crank run-out while you're in there
- personally I would change the compensator. It's just a matter of time and while you have it apart you might as well change it.
- Consider adding a stiffer clutch spring. SE spring or the one used for the tri-cycle are slightly heavier springs
- S&S lifters are a good choice. Stock pushrods will be fine, but S&S adjustable are nice easier install and you can set pre-load with better accuracy.

timo482 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 30, 2018, 08:40:22 PM »

over and above what has to be dismantled to change the lifters.. [the lifters come out the top]

to change the cam bearings i have to:
remove the sidecar [not a simple task]
remove the exhaust completely
then remove the cover, oil pump, and cams

IF i see any problems on the cam lobes...... well then obviously the scope and budget will increase - dramatically.

with both the cam bearings and the compensator its having to remove something that is working perfectly OK that gives me pause - the scope expansion and the number of parts needing to be dealt with climbs really fast - along with costs.

IF i decided to install reverse - then ill have the sidecar and exhaust all removed already and its worth the risk of getting the pump perfectly aligned to replace the bearings - but i won't consider doing the reverse unless i find a issue with the trans, main drive gear, etc where it has to all come apart.

the "got to do's" are lifters and gearing. the gearing has driven me crazy for years and its time to deal with it. still have to decide 30-68 or 30-70 a chart i have says i can use a stock belt on either gearing option - apparently 30-70 may be more futzing with spacers etc - the 30-68 is just a sportster sprocket. however trike gearing is 30-70 so.....

Nocvo · « **Reply #8 on:** December 31, 2018, 05:50:56 AM »

Remove the sidecar aye, oh well, teach ya to ride on the wrong side of the road

timo482 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 31, 2018, 08:34:27 AM »

for some work - its possible to remove the front suspension bracket from the body and strap the body straight up in the air to access the right side....

HD Street Performance · « **Reply #10 on:** December 31, 2018, 11:03:49 AM »

I don't have a lot to offer however I recommend replacing the compensator with the OEM HD updated part. Last revision was 2014 and it has an oiling tray added. 2007 was a bad year for comps and the added spring idea is not new or worth the trouble. Run Formula+ or Spectro 85W in the primary.

timo482 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 09, 2019, 02:11:20 PM »

changing the belt and gearing i see i have to remove the swing arm - adds a LOT of work with a sidecar bike.. [the swingers bolt bracket IS the sidecar mount] adds hours and hours of work to take the sidecar off - and put it on and bleed the brakes and deal with the wiring.. sigh.. I'm considering chain? all my old bikes had chains - and while they were kind of a mess they really never gave me any trouble. i can get harley 30 -68 pulleys for the stock 1" belt - but to go 30-70 the pulley is wider so ill have to mess with making sure of tire clearance... i should be able to run a 1" belt in the wider pulley, but will the belt being able to wonder around cause problems? hmmm

JKM · « **Reply #12 on:** January 09, 2019, 03:27:14 PM »

if you have pause about the compensator, then you wait for it to fail.
Problem with the cam bearing is, if it fails it will likely grenade the engine. Removing the side car will be the least of your worries then.

timo482 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 10, 2019, 02:31:59 PM »

well, that is THE rub, swimbo will allow a new long block if the engine grenades, but changing parts to keep it "from" blowing up - she can't see that. she never drives, just rides, so the gearing problem doesn't bother her at all. i have enough bux in my stash that i can do lifters, and gearing, and possibly the compensator.. after that it bleeds out of "my" stash of cash into "our" stash of cash and thats a whole nother deal.

If i find something wrong with the trans - i think the trans is fine - but if, then it will be pretty easy to get reverse, cause she does hate to help push it backwards.....

my solution to the speedometer being off is easy - gps program on my phone - that is providing her tunes -.... nearly free

lifters are so cheap - she wont notice - its a act of congress to get a tire - one of our friends have to complain to her about the state of a tire - then its why didn't i do the tire, she asked "don't you take my safety seriously?!".

so we rode off together get a tire put on - she paid the bill, no problem...........

hawgzilla · « **Reply #14 on:** January 11, 2019, 08:09:23 AM »

Speechless.
I don’t think it’s the bike maintenance that you need to worry about!

timo482 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 11, 2019, 10:32:54 AM »

everybody is happy when swimbo is happy.

swimbo knows nothing about maintenance. about 5 years ago i was going to put a new trans in my pickup - omg is what she said about the price, the complete end of the world - she got me a new truck because she couldn't stomach the trans.. she pays all the bills - takes care of all that stuff.... does a really good job, really, i did it for 20 years but it makes her extremely uncomfortable if she doesn't know exactly what is going on - balances the check book to the penny - if its a penny off she will spend the entire weekend if it takes that to fix the penny.

i told her a couple years ago that i either had to do lifters or risk a new engine - no way could i do lifters - but if it "actually blew up" then a new engine is ok.. the quotes show that she simply does not believe, not for a second, that lifters would blow up a engine.. two years ago, for six months, i told her we needed a new front tire - omg thats too expensive and it looks fine, "lets just drive careful" [sidecar bike tires wear odd, just flat in the center, looks fine to her] - one of our friends saw the tire and gave me a hard time - i said "talk to her" - we drove straight to the dealer and put on a new tire.. it simply has to be her idea. drives me nuts.

so.. im going to do lifters and the drive belt and simply not cop to doing it. the cash is stashed in my sons account.......two states away......

she always has a awesome jacket - and always has a cool helmet... and nice gloves.. ROTFLMAOFF

its going to get worse - all my riding buddies are dying off, nobody to tell her it needs maintenance.. sigh.

CVODON · « **Reply #16 on:** January 11, 2019, 10:31:28 PM »

Why would anyone post a story like this?

bigchuck · « **Reply #17 on:** January 12, 2019, 02:41:04 AM »

I don't know if you are really serious or not but if so, either man up and buy tires when needed or park it before you, her or someone else gets hurt or killed. But I'm guessing you are not serious because everyone I know would be too embarrassed to post that if it was true.

FLSTFI Dave · « **Reply #18 on:** January 12, 2019, 08:09:36 AM »

Wow. I can not even fathom living like that. Then again, I do all our bills.

When my wife says she needs a new tire on her bike, I tell her to get one. I do not even double check.

She does not tell me how to spend money, or what I need or do not need.

bigchuck · « **Reply #19 on:** January 12, 2019, 11:34:21 AM »

Quote from: FLSTFI Dave on January 12, 2019, 08:09:36 AM

Wow. I can not even fathom living like that. Then again, I do all our bills.

When my wife says she needs a new tire on her bike, I tell her to get one. I do not even double check.

She does not tell me how to spend money, or what I need or do not need.

That's clear Dave by looking at your signature. lol. If others choose to live that way it their business except they need to draw the line when it comes to safety related expenditures or their next post may be on the "Rider down" thread.

fastfreddy · « **Reply #20 on:** January 12, 2019, 11:45:20 AM »

this must be two beers brother …. lmao

timo482 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 12, 2019, 06:05:48 PM »

i live in a camper most of the summer, making money - my wife takes care of everything, i trust her with everything. but she thinks i like shiny parts.... so.. my friends usually set her straight, then i don't have to do it. i figured this crowd would see that if you can pass the decision on, you never have to take the blame.. i can't be the only one who lets one of the guys tell her its needing tires, or whatever... seriously? im the only one who figured that out? they can tell her the truth, and not have to sleep with her....

of course my friends are getting old, and dropping dead... the reason i posted what i did was being asked why im cheap. and guys keep answering questions im not asking.. so i explained.

back to reality, from my 79 sportster bought new in 78 to my 77 glide in the 80's to the 2000 to the 2007 ive ridden mostly stock, mostly on marginal tires, mostly on the cheap. every state west of chicago plus most of canada. if there is any tread on a tire at all its probably ok. the last two bikes are belt the first two were chain. i "think" when it comes to it ill do the cheapest - but belt if its close. so ive asked opinion on chain conversion... i find adjusting belts a complete PITA, but chains don't last as long. my concern about everything durability...

the inner cam bearings i hear about all the time, but not often on stock cams. what is the balance of changing those bearings vs having to take the oil pump apart to get at them?? i hear lots of rumors of oil pumps not being installed right - this one was off when new, lots of blow by new, warranty redid all of it - and after they redid it, its been completely perfect. is is really worth it to remove a perfect pump to change those bearings??? it sure seems grey to me.

lifters on the other hand appear to be a problem. ive done years and years of adjusting lifters - what a total pain. id rather use stock pushrods, its only a little labor to take the tank off to change the lifters. - the current bike only has 35k on it because im becoming a old fart. the questions i pose are in light of riding this bike till i can't ride any more. i never speed any more - i ride because i still like to, not because i give a c(*&^ what i look like any more. its not like 1980 picking up girls... i have to take it apart soon, and i want to replace what will bite me in the next 40k, not what a hot rodding kid would wreck.

for sure - belt, both sprockets, lifters, plugs, plug wires, shifter seal, main drive gear seal, inner primary bearing and seal, rear tire, maybe the compensator... what else will really make a difference?

ive ridding 34000+miles in 4th and 5th gear never use 6th at all - do i need to be thinking of taking the trans out and replacing the needle bearings?

its a stone stock 07 ultra with a sidecar, me and swimbo 590lb together. and it still has a stock compensator, and still has the horrible stock gearing... and its not broken - trying to stave off something breaking - and yes she promised if it grenades i get a short block. id still rather not.

the 00 grenaded the cam chest - hence why i have a 07... - so im a bit jumpy... can't replace the bike - SS is on the horizon so no new anything any more.

smkymtnboy · « **Reply #22 on:** February 23, 2019, 12:26:28 AM »

Quote from: HD Street Performance on December 31, 2018, 11:03:49 AM

I don't have a lot to offer however I recommend replacing the compensator with the OEM HD updated part. Last revision was 2014 and it has an oiling tray added. 2007 was a bad year for comps and the added spring idea is not new or worth the trouble. Run Formula+ or Spectro 85W in the primary.

agree!

Author Topic: winter maintenance (Read 3265 times)

J.D.

J.D.

J.D.