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[paconico1992]

Thinking of buying a 14 street glide special converted to a CVO with a 120R (2800 miles). What's the dependability of the motor. The owner said it was a crate motor nothing was upgraded. He had it tuned and dynoed after the break in period and hadn't any issues. My big concern I put on around 8000 miles per year. Can I get that with a 120R without having to tare into the motor every 10000 miles, or should I just stay with a 110 like I have now which I know is a dependable motor.

Any input would be helpful in my decision making.

[North Star]

Well it is a Harley motor after all. It has the same potential issues as any of them- lifters, etc. I wouldnt buy that bike ONLY because of the 120. You would be better off doing a 113 or 117 with headwork and new lifters, springs, etc. My GMR 113 is only 6 hp/8 tq less than my buddies 120 that was worked over by Cyclerama.

If you are looking at this new bike for other reasons though, then I'd say go for it if thats what you want.

[07CVO.RK]

I have a 120R in my 2007 CVO Road King that I converted to a Road Glide. Have made 2 long trips with it with no issues. One to the Grand Canyon and back in early August when the temps were in the high 90s and one last year to Sturgis. No issues at all. Although I must add that I had the crank trued and welded, new cams and lifters etc etc right from new. Runs extremely strong.

[Rooster]

I wouldn't trust the 110 as others said 113 or 117 better prolly than the 120

[Fired00d]

Thinking of buying a 14 street glide special converted to a CVO with a 120R (2800 miles). What's the dependability of the motor. The owner said it was a crate motor nothing was upgraded. He had it tuned and dynoed after the break in period and hadn't any issues. My big concern I put on around 8000 miles per year. Can I get that with a 120R without having to tare into the motor every 10000 miles, or should I just stay with a 110 like I have now which I know is a dependable motor.

Any input would be helpful in my decision making.

No such thing "converted to a CVO" it is either a CVO or a regular production model. If the seller/dealer is stating that to get a "premium" price bend over because they are getting ready to stick it to you. All that bike is, is a SGS with a 120R motor (which doesn't even have the matching VIN to the rest of the parts on your bike). At the most that motor upgrade is worth $0.50 - $0.75 on the dollar it cost for the upgrade. As others have stated (unless you know the previous owner/history of the bike/motor build) you may be better off going w/a SGS and build your own motor.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Unbalanced]

Having 2 of the 120r one was in the 11 up till recently, and the other in the wifes 13 CVO RG I would tell you that they work fine.  They work a little better with a tiny bit of compression and new lifters.

As D00D said there is no such animal as a conversion.   Don't get sucked in the dealer is blowing air up your skirt to try and sell you.   Its either a street glide or its a CVO no such morphing. 

Motor is worth very little in the sale as the bike had to have a motor to begin with and when you trade it in they will say that is not factory so its very little value then try and sell it higher priced to the next person to make their money.    Its all about how they manipulate the sale for themselves when its in their favor to do so.

[KC2GIW]

Does it have lowers and are you prone to riding in hot weather in traffic?  If I recall, the 120's didn't like the lowers blocking the air in hot weather. 

That said, everyone I've ever known to ride a 120 bike has been happy with it.  They said it's a completely different animal.  Could have something to do with the extra 1/4" stroke.

[FlaHeatWave]

Does it have lowers and are you prone to riding in hot weather in traffic?  If I recall, the 120's didn't like the lowers blocking the air in hot weather. 

That said, everyone I've ever known to ride a 120 bike has been happy with it.  They said it's a completely different animal.  Could have something to do with the extra 1/4" stroke.

Until they get smoked by a 117 LOL

[Rooster]

No such thing "converted to a CVO" it is either a CVO or a regular production model. If the seller/dealer is stating that to get a "premium" price bend over because they are getting ready to stick it to you. All that bike is, is a SGS with a 120R motor (which doesn't even have the matching VIN to the rest of the parts on your bike). At the most that motor upgrade is worth $0.50 - $0.75 on the dollar it cost for the upgrade. As others have stated (unless you know the previous owner/history of the bike/motor build) you may be better off going w/a SGS and build your own motor.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

Good phrase there Gary

[hrdtail78]

I put about 30,000 problem free miles on my 120r.  I had the heads shaved by WFO Larry, changed lifters, and springs.  Later changed cams to the 662-2.  Bike was an 09 with lowers.  Ran great and never got beat by a 117.

I see a lot of guys hating on this engine.  Not just here, and I don't really understand it.  I think it is a good bang for the buck and it has room to grow.  Bolts in without anything special to the oil system.  Is there a better crate engine out there?  Nothing will beat a scratch built by a reputable builder.

[Para Bellum]

1.  Agree that it's not a CVO, that they're giving you a snow job, and that dealers/sellers try to trick-F us on both sides of the deal.  And how much extra is the seller trying to get for having a 120R in the bike?  Most want a lot more $$ for 120 vs 103, but is it worth the full amount they want?  (see next few comments)

2.  Ask SDCVO (and probably others on here) who had the 120R blow up on them.  Sure, for the first 20K miles or so they were happy...

3.  You asked about reliability, but reliability isn't in one or two long trips; it's in avoiding the side of the road with a blown engine out in BFE where you don't have cell service so you can't even call for a tow--and watching a week or more of your vacation go down the drain.

4.  Note that several of the people who're happy with the 120R had lifters and other things changed to more reliable parts.  Are you willing to put more coin in it to do those reliability upgrades?  O/w, it's not really known to be that reliable.  Along that line: neither is the 110, unless you change the lifters, springs, and probably the valve guides too.  Depending on crank runout, may need oil pump and cam plate as well.

[SDCVO]

2.  Ask SDCVO (and probably others on here) who had the 120R blow up on them.  Sure, for the first 20K miles or so they were happy...

Thats true but to be fair the 124HC i replaced it with is in the shop as we speak and needs an new top end after 18000 miles. I do run the motors very hard so not sure I am the best person to judge from. I will say that between the 2 crate motors I have gone through both the 120r and the S&S 124 the S&S was by far the better "runner". 120r blew up at about 20000 miles

[SDCVO]

Thats true but to be fair the 124HC i replaced it with is in the shop as we speak and needs an new top end after 18000 miles. I do run the motors very hard so not sure I am the best person to judge from. I will say that between the 2 crate motors I have gone through both the 120r and the S&S 124 the S&S was by far the better "runner". 120r blew up at about 20000 miles

have 18000 miles on 124

[Para Bellum]

have 18000 miles on 124

So the 120R outlasted the 124?   

[SDCVO]

So the 120R outlasted the 124?   

Just top end on the 124, blew up the 120r..