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[Ivornator]

Good morning from Hutton, Preston, U.K. 08:00hrs
6 weeks ago I swapped my 2014 Sportster for a 2012 CVO custom Softail, Bronze colour. My wife suggested that we get it as a joint 50th wedding present to ourselves and I could not disagree.

The bike had just had a 90 point check and a 20k service and is under warranty. We caught the ferry to Santander Spain and spent a very enjoyable holiday in the Pyrenees, France.

On the way back to the ferry a strange noise started in the engine and the bike had to be recovered from Southampton on our return to the U.K.

I have seen the destroyed cam follower (rear cylinder) which has deposited shards of metal all over the engine. It has just been examined by a Harley Technician who has approved the repair which, I am told, will cost in the region of £7,000.00.

I am also told that the parts will be difficult to acquire (replacement engines are not available apparently) and after 1000 miles of riding, I can tell you that both my wife and I are very disappointed.

The dealership, Bowker Harley Davidson, Preston will loan us a bike for any trips we have planned but it's just not the same.

[wrayzor]

Did the previous owner do any engine work or was it all stock. Sorry for your luck mate, but once it's fixed, you will love that bike.

[GregKhougaz]

Part's are not difficult to acquire.  Good luck.

[Kingspoke]

On the way back to the ferry a strange noise started in the engine and the bike had to be recovered from Southampton on our return to the U.K.

I have seen the destroyed cam follower (rear cylinder) which has deposited shards of metal all over the engine. It has just been examined by a Harley Technician who has approved the repair which, I am told, will cost in the region of £7,000.00.

I am also told that the parts will be difficult to acquire (replacement engines are not available apparently) and after 1000 miles of riding, I can tell you that both my wife and I are very disappointed.

Wow, bummer!  Sorry to hear your troubles with your late model softail. Your year bike would have the hydraulic self adjusting cam chain tensioners, correct?  Or am I misunderstanding the engine failure case?

[Ivornator]

Many thanks for the kind words of encouragement.
Wrayzor; I have had those thoughts even if the dealer denies it.
GregKhougaz; thanks, I'll pass your thoughts on.
Kinspoke; the bike is a 2012 110ci Softail Convertible, Screamin Eagle stage 1 fitted with Vance & Hines pipes.

The picture explains why we fell in love with it and why we committed so much money 

[phato1]

Sorry for your misfortune,,

just for my own clarification was this the tappet/lifter or the cam chain tensioner that failed ??

If it was the tappet/lifter a search of this site will reveal that, unfortunately, that failure is fairly common.  I have even experienced it myself.

[Kingspoke]

Sorry for your misfortune,,

just for my own clarification was this the tappet/lifter or the cam chain tensioner that failed ??

If it was the tappet/lifter a search of this site will reveal that, unfortunately, that failure is fairly common.  I have even experienced it myself.

Yeah, that was what I was trying to understand.  It seems like he would have the newer cam chain tensioner so that would not be the problem, but perhaps inner cam bearings or lifters might be the cause.

I've read too many of these engine failures of recent and that motivated me to change out my lifters, adj. push rods, and inner cam bearings to S&S, hoping I don't join this ever growing club.

[Ivornator]

Thanks to the guys who read and replied to my demise.

I have seen the destroyed cam follower and all the new parts have been approved and ordered. All except the new crank cases have arrived. They are due on 27th June.

The cost of this repair, including labour is estimated at £7,000 (that's a lot of dollars / euros).

The dealership have offered me a brand new demo bike until mine is ready.

I am hoping for many happy miles in the U.K. and the rest of Europe on what will be a brand new engine that will probably need running in. Not had to do that for a long time.

I must thank Harley Insurance and Recovery for their no compromise action.

  Cheers, Ivor

[Kingspoke]

Congrats on a great outcome.  I think you'll be back in love when she's put back together!  Cheers!

[twinotter]

Sorry to hear of the engine problems so early in your ownership of the new to you bike. Lifter failure up until 14 and up was and has been very common. They (HD) uses a new style now that is proving only slightly better for some.
A lot of people I know change out the lifters BEFORE or very shortly after they ride the bike.
Unfortunately for you, when a lifter fails, the debri contaminates the entire motor. Everything inside the cases gets the super fine grit thru-out. The crank, its bearings, cam and its bearings, camplate and oil pump, pushrods and rocker arms, valve seals and possibly guides. Over here it is common for HD to send a replacement engine. I assume their policy is different there.
It does sound like your dealer is building a new engine from ordered parts. Don't let tem use anything that was in the original motor.  Talk to your dealer about using S&S Standard lifters instead of their latest, greatest.
Also make sure that the oil tank and its lines are thoroughly cleaned and as new, the tank and lines will be full of bad stuff you don't want back in the engine.
A fellow in the US just reported a lifter failure at 18 miles on a new 16 CVO. Another went 7500 miles, then boom, replacement required and done.  Nuff said. fwiw twin otter

[Beak Boater]

Dude.......the bike can be fixed, sorry that its not perfect. The bigger picture, Congrats on 50 Years of marriage. That's an awesome accomplishment.

[ltank]

After reading all the problems with TC I am  happy I have a S&S V111. With almost 60k miles no motor issues other, replacing lifters
as a precaution when motor had over 50k miles.
 I love the EVO motors. A few years ago I built  a Fatso motor for my
Son's 94 FXSTC. It has the best of both motors. TC top end, EVO bottom end. He has lots of miles, runs great,fast. It eats up stock
Harley 110 motors.

[ltank]

Other side

[CVODON]

Parts are not hard to come by, did you ask your dealer why they said that. In today's world if you want something, almost anything, you can have it in 24 hours if you want to pay the freight. I do Amazon Prime and we are spoiled to anything from a garden hose repair kit to toilet paper in 48 hours and from watching the english tv show, Wheeler Dealer, I see them get stuff o/n from the U.S.

[yobtaf103]

Sorry to hear your woes Ivornator, i personally would pay the difference  & get the 117" kit fitted along with new S&S lifters