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[do-dahman]

I agree with RidgRunr, makes you wonder if it depends if we buy a Monday or Tuesday made bike. I pulled the cat, full sac headers at 1500 miles and haven't touched the bike otherwise. Uses 1/4 qt oil between 5k oil changes, just turned 25k.

[TN]

I ran my 09 motor untouched to 36k, I then replaced lifters, cam bearings, cam chain shoes and breathers. I did put a SE cam plate in at the same time only because I had it sitting on the shelf. My ccp checked out at 220 on both cylinders. My cam chain shoes had a good amount of wear on them for 36k, not smooth, looked liked they were flaking some, a bit of frosting on the lifter rollers and cam.



TN

[Wesleypalms]

My 2011 has 32,000 and has never been touched. Still seems to run the same. I asked my dealer about lifters being an issue. He said he's seen a few not many 110's really having any specific problems. I guess its hit and miss.

[James D]

Well, sorry to say that the engine in my 2015 FLHTKSE 110 CVO beauty was rebuilt last month at 19,500 miles. I had dealer servicing at all required intervals and changed the oil more often than required, actually.
Crank, cylinder walls, pistons, cams (more). . .  still breaking in the rebuild. Very disappointed as well that Harley did not send me a new crate motor. Rebuilt Engine feels rougher than when I bought the bike new. Did not expect to have to deal with this type of issue on a $40k bike, well maintained.

[ultrafxr]

Well, sorry to say that the engine in my 2015 FLHTKSE 110 CVO beauty was rebuilt last month at 19,500 miles. I had dealer servicing at all required intervals and changed the oil more often than required, actually.
Crank, cylinder walls, pistons, cams (more). . .  still breaking in the rebuild. Very disappointed as well that Harley did not send me a new crate motor. Rebuilt Engine feels rougher than when I bought the bike new. Did not expect to have to deal with this type of issue on a $40k bike, well maintained.

James, your troubles are not that unusual albeit your's did arise a tad bit earlier than most.  Here's hoping the rebuilt motor has a long and trouble free life.   

[J.D.]

No disrespect to anyone here but these big inch Twin Cam engines are a joke from a reliability standpoint, and the worst part is Harley knows it.  Cam lifts and ramps are too much for the roller lifters.  Compensators suck.  Inner cam bearings suck.  Crank bearings suck.  Cranks have too much runout.  Twin cams were not designed for what they've evolved into.  I agree with those who say the drivetrain of a new $40K+ bike should run longer than 20K miles without major problems.  Sure, some do, but seems more don't.  YMMV.

[mark]

No disrespect to anyone here but these big inch Twin Cam engines are a joke from a reliability standpoint, and the worst part is Harley knows it.  Cam lifts and ramps are too much for the roller lifters.  Compensators suck.  Inner cam bearings suck.  Crank bearings suck.  Cranks have too much runout.  Twin cams were not designed for what they've evolved into.  I agree with those who say the drivetrain of a new $40K+ bike should run longer than 20K miles without major problems.  Sure, some do, but seems more don't.  YMMV.

I agree.

[J.D.]

From the 2014 SE catalog, this should give some indication:

[FLSTFI Dave]

From the 2014 SE catalog, this should give some indication:

No where in the owners manual for bikes with the 110 does it say that lifter should be replaced every 7500 miles.  I have had an 09, 12, 13,and a 15 with the 110 engine.  That is not listed in the maintenance schedule.

I under stand if I were to buy a high lift cam and install it, or higher pressure valve springs.  These are stock bikes we are talking about.

I am also 100% positive if that was a requirement for a stock 110 motor all these motors would not have been replaced or rebuilt under warranty if the lifter had not been replaced at 7500 miles.  Mine have never been replaced prior to HD covering two motors with failures, both over 40K miles.

[J.D.]

I don't recall seeing in the owner's manuals of the 1999-2006 models that the can chain tensioners need to be replaced every 20k either.

SBC lifters are good for about .550" lift.  Even stock cams on these big Twin Cam engines are pushing the limit.  Way too many catastrophic failures to say otherwise.

[ultrafxr]

Personally I think it's a 'big picture' issue from the moco' vantage point. They couldn't very well retreat from the twinkies and most especially the problem plagued 110s so they played the odds until they developed the M8 to replace.  Many do not fail during the factory warranty period as many, many owners don't put the miles on like many of us on this site do. And can you imagine the negative response from customers if the lifters were a replacement item every 7,500, 10,000 or even 20,000 miles.  It would be s deal breaker imo for many purchasers.


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[J.D.]

 

Most will fail outside of warranty is absolutely right on.  Or just put out a TSB with a new maintenance recommendation but don't recall it.  Better yet offer a conversion kit the dealer can sell then install for you.

Again and again the consumer pays to correct Harley's design flaws.

[smkymtnboy]

kind of surprised there has not been a class action lawsuit with these engines. lawyers just love this stuff.

[ultrafxr]

kind of surprised there has not been a class action lawsuit with these engines. lawyers just love this stuff.

There was several years ago after all the problems with the 2007s with the then new 110.


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[coloradotom]

kind of surprised there has not been a class action lawsuit with these engines. lawyers just love this stuff.

Me, I get a new motor every couple of years. While under warranty I am not replacing lifters, and I'll continue to grenade these motors until I hit the magic 75k. Then the motor will get worked & done right by not-HD.

Edit - I also made it only 8k before issues. Had half a camshalft snap ring on the oil plug magnet.