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[Gecko]

Some do and some don't because the MOCO doesn't know what is causing it or more likely just won't admit it.  The first excuse was supposed to have been a valve spring hitting the rocker cover.  Lots of poeple got their boxes hogged out, and lots of people didn't have a quieter bike (mine for instance).  Nobody could explain why it would hit only at a certain rpm.  Then it was "short pistons".  Other engines have shorter skirts and larger bores and no problems.  Again, why only at that narrow rpm range?   For whatever reason, changing the cylinders and pistons DOES seem to help, which is just a further endictment of the MOCO's engineering achievement.  Other than the gaskets the later engines are supposedly the same as the first ones.  Anyone ever get a letter saying they figured out the problem and please bring you bike in to have it made right?  I didn't.  Just the ridiculous book they mailed me a couple years ago.  Other things people have heard are they don't know how to ride it correctly, they got it wet, and from Willy G. "What problems?"

[Rooster]

Mine used to do it 2700-3k. After the "FIX" it was less then all was good for about one thousand miles then head gasket and base gasket leaked again. Fixed again and pulled motor replaced with Jim's 131 now no more noise and lots more smiles. My "FIX"

[smenard415]

Greetings,  For what it's worth here is my nickles worth,  my 03 Roadglide 88 sounded like it was coming apart at 2800 to 3000 rpm when it was brand new.  I thought it would blow every time I rode it.  Had it warmed over to 95 inches and a Andrews 21 cam (new pistons, lifters, pushrods, etc.) and it sounded exactly the same!   I rode it and ignored it.   My 09 SERG sounds just like it between 2800 to 3000 rpm.  My vote is some weird harmonic thingy.   I admit it still worries me and strangely if I turn the stereo on I hear it even more.

Steve M

[StreetDog]

Longer spigot flanges on the cylinders would probably help support those "short" piston skirts at BDC just a little better.  Ask the folks who replaced the H-D jugs with Axtell's how the noise is on their engines.  The Axtell jugs have a longer flange (by more than 1/2") and a thicker liner, both of which would provide more support for those pistons.

The story H-D is throwing around may be technically correct (piston slap), but that doesn't mean it's acceptable.  I don't see them retooling the parts, however, to correct this design flaw.  Get used to it, and expect piston life to suffer.

Jerry

Jerry, have you or anyone else hear if the MOTO CO. corrected or redesigned anything on the 10' 110's? I know the heads are different because they have less compression ( 9.15 vs 9.3 ) Sounds like these motors are not SE performance motors at all, but the same standard crap that's in the 96's just bigger cylinders. The heads any better than the 96's? I think just the valves are bigger. Same crappie Chinese crank? No timkin bearings, pinned crank, no bearings in cam plate. Is the oil pump any different than the 96's?  Would it be better to buy a standard 96ci and split the cases and built it to last and add more power with true performance parts? It's like they make you believe you're getting a big SE CVO 110 performance motor when you buy a $35,000 bike. I may buy a standard EG and built it with all the right stuff, what you think about that?

[jfh]

Longer spigot flanges on the cylinders would probably help support those "short" piston skirts at BDC just a little better.  Ask the folks who replaced the H-D jugs with Axtell's how the noise is on their engines.  The Axtell jugs have a longer flange (by more than 1/2") and a thicker liner, both of which would provide more support for those pistons.

The story H-D is throwing around may be technically correct (piston slap), but that doesn't mean it's acceptable.  I don't see them retooling the parts, however, to correct this design flaw.  Get used to it, and expect piston life to suffer.

Jerry

Installation of Axtell cylinders and properly matched quality flat top pistons completely eliminated the piston slap noise on my '09 SERG3.

[Chicago-Spike]

OK, for the newly CVO'd people, is there a list of the parts needed for the Axtell cylinders? Not talking gaskets and bolts, but the main parts like pistons, cams, rockers, etc.....
I will search for a thread about the Axtells later, right now I'm going for a ride on my clackety CUSE4 

[Chicago-Spike]

  Hmmm, I have no problems with the engine heat, no hotter than any other bike that I remember. You want heat, try a new 1800 Goldwing. Those things get pretty hot and the tupperware just funnels it right back onto the rider

[Gecko]

Hmmm, I have no problems with the engine heat, no hotter than any other bike that I remember. You want heat, try a new 1800 Goldwing. Those things get pretty hot and the tupperware just funnels it right back onto the rider

Uh, was this about heat?

[Chicago-Spike]

Uh, was this about heat?

Uh, egultrac edited his post, thanks. He did have that his CVO was very hot and MoCo should have corrected that as well.

[grc]

Yes, burning a fuel normally creates heat.  Burning gasoline at 14.7:1 creates lots of heat, and that is what current emission rules require for all manufacturer's, not just Harley.  So yes, the Honda will also generate a ton of heat.  The big difference is that the water cooling will keep the actual engine temps stable compared to the wide swings seen with the air cooled V-Twin.  The heat has to go somewhere, with the Honda it just blows back from the radiator, rather than cook the engine which then cooks the rider on a Harley.  Still gonna be hot, no matter what.  If it makes you feel any better, heat = power.  And winter is coming (rapidly it seems in this area, 44°F last night), and then all that heat will be welcome.

Jerry

[Gettinold]

Good point Jerry.  Now if some of that cool air would make it down here I could use that formula H.E.A.T. + COOL = POWER 

[jfh]

OK, for the newly CVO'd people, is there a list of the parts needed for the Axtell cylinders? Not talking gaskets and bolts, but the main parts like pistons, cams, rockers, etc.....
I will search for a thread about the Axtells later, right now I'm going for a ride on my clackety CUSE4  

Chicago-Spike:

Axtell's 110" 4"bore x 4.375 stroke cylinders P/N:200-215 (wrinkle black) or 200-215S (silver) fitted with their forged flat top pistons will take care of the piston slap. You can find the parts and prices under their TwinCam Cylinder Kits.  They do not offer granite powder coating. I ordered the silver kit and sent it to local powder coater. Cams and rockers are not required unless you are trying to do more than fix the piston slap. Plenty of info on this site about cams, just start reading.

[HDDOCFL]

Good point Jerry.  Now if some of that cool air would make it down here I could use that formula H.E.A.T. + COOL = POWER 

[Big-T]

My 09' RG just started making a similar sounding noise that comes and goes. It will do it at idle sometimes. It is real loud if I bend over and listen in front of the gas tank. I first noticed it a couple of weeks ago when pulling off when cold. When the bike was under a little load is when I first heard it. I thought it was the windshield rattling or something else rattling. T.

[sixstringer99]

OK, I am reading all these comments about the Screamin Eagle 110 engine problems and I am getting worried.  I have been looking to buy a CVO in the near future but why would I pay around $30K for a bike with an engine that has so many bugs that HOG didn't work out before releasing to the public?  I can live with a few nits but I cannot tolerate bad engineering.  Please give me some reassurances why I should buy a CVO now.  Do you think the 2010's have the same engine problems?  Sorry for being so blunt.