My friend just bought a 2016 Ultra with a 103 that is stock and 5000 miles. Do these engines have the lifters go out at 20,000 miles like the 110's? Thanks
While the stock lifters from Harley are far from great, especially the "C" lifters in late model bikes, they aren't the only cause of the failures in the CVO110 engines. In fact the main cause of the roller failures is more closely tied to the cam profile and valve/spring package IMHO. Any needle bearing, such as those that support the rollers in the lifters, is subject to fail if you pound the crap out of it long enough. And the 110's pound the crap out of them. The valve train in the standard (non-CVO) engines is less likely to pound the rollers into oblivion, but that doesn't necessarily mean the lifters will never fail. It is funny though that the same basic lifter is used in automotive applications and it's pretty rare in the auto applications to have major failures. Most people never change lifters in a car or truck.
Your friend shouldn't obsess over this. If he starts having issues with things like abnormal leak-down and slow to pump up after starting, which was more common on the "C" lifters than the previous version, suggest he upgrade to something from S&S or many are now recommending the Johnson Hi-Lift (the folks who made the original lifters for the 1999 Twin Cam before Harley went with the Delphi lifters).
JMHO - Jerry