Frustrating motorcycle upgade

[ThumbPkr]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

My current bike is an 1100cc Virago which I like very much but I would not call it a cruiser by a long shot.I am ready for a stretch after an hour in the saddle.
My neighbor has a Yamaha RoadStar which I think is about 1600cc and I had to ask him the other day what kind of bike it was.It sure has that classic V twin sound (gotta be careful what we say here,I think HD tried to sue them because of it).I never get closer than 100' to his bike and every other time it leaves his garage I say Harley then on the off times I said it was probably a Yamaha.In any case it sure has the chrome and his particular one is purple,now that will get your attention.
I doubt that there is another bike in my lifetime but that is one I would consider.
He offered to let me take it for a ride but I told him I wouldn't bring it back.I may do it one day though.Ron G

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

There is now an issue with the 2003 and newer models with the crank bending and breaking due to poor flywheel design. .

The crank is not bending and breaking in the 2003-up models. Sure, a few guys are experiencing shifted flywheels. Most of the time this is in either really built engines or happens during a sudden rear wheel lock up from slamming on the rear brake only without pulling in the clutch. Either way, it shouldn't happen. The 2003-up Big Twins do have a weaker cast crank, unlike the more desireable, stronger forged crank in the 2002 and back bikes.

BTW, I also ride a 2003 Electra Glide at work. It has been nothing but bulletproof.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

I beg to differ. They did away with the tapered bearings and that is where the problem lies. I have seen brand new bikes with less than a 1000 miles with this problem. I was at a dealer last week and was talking to a tech. They had four with this problem come in that week. Yes the wheels are shifting and bending shafts. Besides the wheels in a twin cam, are way to light anyway.

Thats why I would not recommend a new HD. Why put out the cash for a bike with a known problem in the engine design?? As you said it shouldn't happen ,, the only problem with that is , is that it is happening.

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

Yes, I know about the difference in the crank bearing, but the cranks themselves are not "breaking" and certainly not bending, cast stuff breaks before it bends. Both the weaker bearing and the cast crank is why many feel that the 2002-back bikes are the best of the Twin Cams, specifically the 2002 if you are talking fuel injection because they have the better Delphi system, even though my Marelli system hasn't given me any trouble.

If a guy has a 2003-up and is building a motor, especially one larger than 95" and will be going into the bottom end anyway, he would be well advised to swap the crank, have it welded, and do the bearing swap back to the Timken style. Zippers offers the service.


http://www.zippersperformance.com/catalogue/showproduct.asp?cat=850&prod=2065

Personally, I know that if I were in the market now, particularly for a Touring HD, I'd be looking for a 2002 for :

- The stouter crank bearing than the 2003-up.
- The better FI than the 2001-back.
- Better brakes than the '99's.
- Bigger rear axle and better swingarm than '2001-back.
- No possibility of the bad valve seals from 2005.
- None of the heat problems of the 2007-2008 bikes.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

I'd sell ya my first year (84) Evo 5 speed/wet clutch Bagger, but its been everywhere, and back, Sell ya my 79 S+S Shovel Chopper, but I still like old school cool. Sell ya my old Ironhead Sporty Dragbike, but its only good for 3 miles.
Friend just bought a new $30,000 110 inch HD. I just picked up a 25,000 mile 95 CBR1000f for $3000. Half the motor, twice the speed. The HD of his? He just spent (has money) close to $1000 for a change to Apehangers done by the dealer. Insane.
I agree though on a used, 80 inch Evo old Softail. Best damn bikes made. Its it runs and has 50,000, it will be running at 100,000. If not done already, and I found one, I would just dump the plastic breather, replace with steel from CC, put in 4 new lifters..(hang up later in life from aluminum piston grit). They are out there, and going pretty cheap. And they are comfy as all get-up..

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

Yes, I know about the difference in the crank bearing, but the cranks themselves are not "breaking" and certainly not bending, cast stuff breaks before it bends. .

Not here to argue with you. I have seen with my own two eyes and held in my own two hands bent cranks from these motors. Tell ya what, next time I get my hands on one I'll send it to you and you can run it in your motor They have a big problem here with way too much run out. I have seen guys with gear driven cams with teeth chewed right off them due to these crap wheel set ups.

If you think it dont happen or dont want to believe it thats cool with me.

Bottom line HD has gone down hill since the days of the 80 inch evo. But I hear they make a real nice quality Tshirt and good dew rags.

Sorry for the hijack i386

 

[i386]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

Sorry for the hijack i386

No problem. I knew it was a touchy subject.

Well, I think I will wait a little while and see what this crazy economy is doing. I never make a major purchase impulsively. Sometimes it's good to appreciate what you have. I paid cash for it and put a lot of work into it. You won't find another one just like it.

I still like my bike. You don't see too many this color on the road and I get lots of compliments on it, even from some HD riders believe it or not. I've been taking some evening rides this week and have really enjoyed it. Maybe my buddy's new 1300 hurt my pride a little bit.:redface: I'll just spend a few more dollars on it to make it a little more comfortable starting with some offset pegs for my highway bars. If I can straighten out my legs an inch or so that'll be a big improvement. I hate that it'll cost me $100 dollars to do that. (It's not just Harley Davidson that everything costs a "hunerd dollars") I'd love to have Corbin make me a brown leather seat with some green trim on it. It would look goooood on this bike.

Good stuff to know about the Harleys. 2002 model is what I'm looking for when the time comes. Looks like you can get a nice one now from say 10-14K with decent miles on it. I'll keep my eye on 'em.

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

Not here to argue with you. I have seen with my own two eyes and held in my own two hands bent cranks from these motors. Tell ya what, next time I get my hands on one I'll send it to you and you can run it in your motor They have a big problem here with way too much run out. I have seen guys with gear driven cams with teeth chewed right off them due to these crap wheel set ups.



Sorry for the hijack i386

A set of gear driven cams with the gear's teeth chewed off, would be from too much pinion run-out as you pointed out, once again common in the sloppy '03-up cranks. Of course, had the installer check pinion run-out before putting in the gears, and not put them in when the run-out was too much there would not have been a problem.

I also know a bit the S&S gear drive.... I run one with Andrews cams in my 2000. and have installed a pile of them for others.

Yes, please send me a bent cast crank. I would love to have one for show and tell. Bent cast parts are usually pretty rare. Exactly what part of the assembly are you seeing that is bent?

I'm not arguing that there isn't a problem. I know for a fact that the '03 cranks are lacking. I just have never seen a broken one that is in two pieces or "bent". I have seen shifted wheels, and wallowed out cases from the crappy '03-up crank bearing. Percentage-wise, the failures are pretty small. However, I still wouldn't buy a '03-up, myself, unless I planned to build the motor and get rid of the crank, anyway.


i386.....Don't worry about chewed up gears and such.....The gears are aftermarket. The stock set up runs a set of chain drive cams.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

Have you looked at the Honda VTX? I had an older Honda 1100 and a 750.
My brother bought a 2006 VTX 1800.He found it for 6800 bucks with only 2500 miles on it. Great bike,shaft drive and tons of power.We re-jetted the carbs,put on a set of Cobra pipes and a new air intake.It sounds great and runs like a scalded dog.Its a big cruiser and is a great highway bike.
I drove it to the beach and it was very comfortable.
After riding my older 750 and 1100 this this was like a driving a caddy..
I would love a Harley but its out of my budget..

 

[i386]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

Have you looked at the Honda VTX? I had an older Honda 1100 and a 750.
My brother bought a 2006 VTX 1800.He found it for 6800 bucks with only 2500 miles on it. Great bike,shaft drive and tons of power.We re-jetted the carbs,put on a set of Cobra pipes and a new air intake.It sounds great and runs like a scalded dog.Its a big cruiser and is a great highway bike.
I drove it to the beach and it was very comfortable.
After riding my older 750 and 1100 this this was like a driving a caddy..
I would love a Harley but its out of my budget..

I'm pretty sure it ran like a scalded dog before the pipes, airbox, and rejet. It must really fly now. I think Honda pretty much invented the long and low "modern cruiser" when they came out with the VTX. It's a nice bike, but I prefer something that looks "old timey".

That's a good deal on a used VTX, but holy deprecation batman! If someone wants a Honda, they're better off with a used one.

You never know how much a bike costs you until you sell it.

An 1800VTX MSRP is about $15K. Sell that bike 2 years later for $6800.
It cost him $8000 to drive that bike for two years give or take. Ouch.

He could have bought a Harley or BMW and sold it two years later and just about broke even. I don't know how much longer this is going to be the case though.