harley twin cam 88 reliability

The bike was designed with a taste of the past and comes fan-friendly with leather saddles and chrome laced wheels. It is bursting with force. It only makes the problems come at a later time than they would have. Due to the extreme friction and frequent contact between the twin rubber shoes, when they rub against themselves, theyll start to wear out over time. It is the successor to the Twin Cam 88 model that ran from 1998 to 2007. Through a century of developmental engineering, Harley has improved their motorcycles year by year. Your email address will not be published. The Softail Convertible is excellent for cruising as it comes with a six-speed cruise drive transmission along with a modern suspension, according to Top Speed. Twin Cam 88 Knock. The Twin Cam 88 was Harley's first new engine since the Evo in 1984, it's a solid motor but it has a few quirks. Twin cam 88B So surely the best year. I have 11K miles on it and heard a knocking noise. . Before you rip into me Press J to jump to the feed. Sure, it's one of the cheapest Harleys you can buy, but considering the array of risks that come with it, it's definitely not worth it. For these, despite the availability of modern versions of this engine, a good number of riders still use twin cam 88. S&S Gear Drive Kit is an optional upgrade for all stages due to increased reliability. Dont put it at the back of your mind that youd get quick answers from your bikes dealers concerning this problem. Required fields are marked *. It comes with so much good stuff that minor issues can be ignored. The hydraulic nature of the tensioner . For example, you can cool your twin cam 88s engine with Harley Cooling. Twin Cam 96 cubic inches vs. Twin Cam 88 cubic inches. While the two engines are basically the same, the 103 has larger pistons than the 96 which show up in extra cubic inches. This problem is definitely much rarer than the camshaft chain tensioner failure in pre-2007 Twin Cam, but it is still something to be aware of if youre considering buying a used 03-06 Twin Cam Harley. I've owned three Harley's and never had any engine (or trans) problems, but none of them have gone over 25K before I bought the next. Now, the reinvented Twin Cam provides durability for riders. The mileage usually depends on the motorcycle used or how it is taken care of. 06 dynas are a 6 speed transition year and have a bunch of issues (I know, I have one). This bike comes with many features according to Top Speed: a six-gallon fuel tank, an anti-lock braking system, and cruise control. A Teflon coating of the hypereutectic aluminum pistons along with cylinder liners that could take five re-bores made this one of the most durable engines ever designed. If there's complete service records, 30,000 is still relatively new. If someone is accelerating by targeting lower performance of rpm, they have to choose a torque kit that ensures their improvement. The cam chain was comprised of separate metal fins that could become quite sharp, so youd think that the actual foot used at the end of the tension lever to press against the metal chain would be made of something more durable than plastic. The Harley Davidson Twin Cam engine is one of the most popular engines for the motorcycles made by this brand. Strict quality control standards to Build and test. Top Speed offers daily industry news and reviews on cars, trucks, and motorcycles. The Twin Cam 96 was released for the 2007 model year as an updated version of the Blockhead engine. Not only did it wear out quickly, but putting that much constant pressure against the chain, even when the bike was idling, proved to be a problem. However, no motorcycle manufacturer is free from issues, and Harley Davidson is no different. Seen & heard of many well over 100,000 miles . The Twin Cam 88B engine was a counter-balanced Twin Cam 88 motor that was designed to fit Harley-Davidson Softail models. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Even with thespanking new hydraulic threaded system, the issuepersists, and the solution is not long-term. The edges of the new cam chain rub against the tension foot which is made of plastic. Our team is made up of industry experts and enthusiasts. Qty-+ Add to Cart. This legend is built to be customized by riders, which makes it coveted by every motorcycle enthusiast. The Harley crew went back to work in 1982 and by 1983, they constructed a brand-new 883cc engine that resembled the engines from the 1950s. This is recommended since it directly tackles the problem head-on. Available to customer supplied castings. The twin-cam 88 engine produces about 80 horsepower. durable and practical to use. He said no, he couldnt fix it, only put it back to new. However, the great news is that there are some measures that you can take to address these issues and avert the possible occurrence of catastrophic mechanical issues in the times ahead. So Harley engineers were tasked with coming up with a more powerful and cleaner engine; this new project was code-named P-22. When the miles start to add up, a Harley-Davidson LongBlock can put the rumble back in your ride simply, quickly, and affordably. While the Evolution engine was legendary for Harley-Davidson and helped save the company after the disastrous Shovelhead years, warranty claims for crankcases that had gone bad were adding up. The 1584cc Twin Cam engine that was in its second year of reinvention. Through the Twin Cam 96, this concept was preserved. Lol As stated above, I think you will be fine if you're doing normal PM. This feature comes with a regulated fan that caters to a continuous inflow of cooling air, therefore assisting your engine in cooling down and reducing the wearing of its plastic shoes. The rare Harley comes with a perfect balance of style, performance, and comfort, making this the perfect cruiser. What happened to MarKuda? The 2002 version came with axles and Delphi. It comes with two camshafts to maximize horsepower. to entirely replace the cam chest, chain, and levers. Did this issue carry over to the 96 or is this even a big issue at all? One has to choose a good kit for it. This last change was vital because it helped meet the EPA standards of noise reduction. Best Cam for 96 Cubic Inch Harley - Feuling Reaper. Among them, stage 2 is cam change. Maybe just rebuild motor or replace or leave it alone and ride it? Though the bike is built for street cruising, its even more effective with a six-speed transmission. The architecture of the actual product is shoddy. TIGERSGATE Cam Chain Tensioner Kit Compatible with 1999-2006 Harley Twin Cam. Anything and everything related to Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The bike could be customized to ride in two-up cruising, all-day touring, or solo cruising. With a $16,999 price tag, the 2011 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic comes with comfortable seating to provide a smooth ride. Now, this does not happen to every engine made between 03 and 06, but it is a well-known problem. It is expected to run 200k miles at least if it is used properly and taken care of. Harley recommended a tolerance level of .010 run-out, but when upgrading the cam system to gears, the tolerance should have been no more than .005 in order to prevent future wear of the oil pump, bearings, and camshaft. Like everything mechanical, the Twin Cam 88 has it's Achilles heal, the tensioners. One of the most reliable ones from Harley Davidson is their twin cam 88 engines. In 2007 the new Twin Cam 96 was released by Harley-Davidson replacing the Twin Cam 88 and upgrading the cam chest with hydraulic oil-fed tensioners with Delrin style pads. TC88 SS2.11 port package 1999-2005 Twin Cam 88" and 95". The Motor Company has a profound understanding of what makes amotorgenuinely drive a rider, and they put that expertise to fair use when designing the Twin Cam 88 motor. The countless miles put on the V-Twin since 1909, as well as the proud legacy that comes with up to one hundred years of devotion to driving on dual wheels, have contributed to its performance and longevity. Harley Davidson introduced the Twin Cam engine in 1999, and it quickly became their most popular engine. This motor can run to their expectation of longevity. The kit includes a high-flow oil pump which will increase the pressure when the temperature rises. Be sure to ask the seller if they have experienced any high runout issues with their bike and if they have had the crank replaced. Before we talk about the worst Twin Cam years to avoid, please remember this when reading the article: Were not trying to scare you off from buying a used Twin Cam, and the issues that you will see below are not as common as they might seem at first. So it appears that with every new engine design comes a higher quality, more efficient, and more powerful engine model. The 2014 Dyna Wide Glide is not fit for a beginner rider, but rather an upgrade for existing riders. The additional power is delivered more smoothly than ever before due to the ultralight piston technology. Your email address will not be published. When you rest on the bike a bit, you want to have a drive that roars, not cries for pity. Harley-Davidson embarked oncreatinga robust engine that could withstand future power increases with itsTwin Cam. Easy if you're mechanically inclined. Twin cam 88 has a displacement of 1450cc where twin cam 96 has 1584 cc (displaces 96.7 cu in). Because of new EPA standards, the Twin Cam 88 was built with a drive chain instead of gears to help the vibration and noise levels. The EPA required exhaust emissions and noise levels to be lowered. They had a cat in the right-hand side exhaust, just below the passengers right foot, and restricted cams with no mismatch when they left the production house. Buy on Amazon. but in my opinion these bikes will last as long as you take care of them. Theres no denying the Twin Cam 103TM engines origins when you look at it. A former member of this board, MarKuda, had about 153,000 miles on his 03 Ultra when some bearings went out and took the oil pump and motor down. The Evolution engine is a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine and it is well known for high power output, reliability, and durability; The Twin Cam 88 engine is a V-twin engine and it was used in a wide variety of Harley-Davidson models until 2006; The Twin Cam 96 is a V-twin motorcycle engine with a displacement of 96 cubic inches . S&S Cycle 97&Prime, Big Bore Kit Black 910-0205. The new models also offer bearingless bushing style cams which eliminated the chain tension problems created by worn cam-plate bearings. The engine can have different horsepower too depending on the motorcycles it is in. 28. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The 2006 FXSTS Springer Softail may the greatest Softail that Harley-Davidson has ever made. This model (and the TC 103) highlighted the best years for the Twin Cam engine. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 15 Is it true that Harley Twin Cam engines are dependable? How To Determine Head Shape For Motorcycle Helmet. A Teflon coating of the hypereutectic aluminum pistons along with cylinder liners that could take five re-bores made this one of the most durable engines ever designed. But thinking that all Harley-Davidson models are great is a big mistake. Harley twin cam 88 reliability. The most concerning aspect was that it could fail at fifteen thousandmiles, with the novelhydraulic system failing at fortythousandmiles or lower. 1440, 1550 vs 1340 for Evos. The EVO had plenty for what it went into. However, ignoring the flawed design issues during the early years could lead to disaster including catastrophic engine failure. There have even been instances where the bike fell apart mid-cruise. Other Twin Cam years to avoid is the 2003 - 2006 period. 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Anti-Lock braking system, the tensioners expected to run 200k miles at least if it is a problem. Early years could lead to disaster including catastrophic engine failure new engine design comes a higher quality, more,! Popular engine bearingless bushing style cams which eliminated the chain tension problems created by worn cam-plate.... Of your mind that youd harley twin cam 88 reliability quick answers from your bikes dealers concerning this.... You look at it bikes dealers concerning this problem 96 cubic inches tigersgate Cam chain rub against the foot... This is recommended since it directly tackles the problem head-on the reinvented Twin Cam 88 motor that was in second! There have even been instances where the bike could be customized to ride in two-up cruising all-day! With every new engine design comes a higher quality, more efficient, and Harley Davidson Twin Cam provides for... The reinvented Twin Cam robust engine that was designed with a more powerful engine model model. 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Engine was a counter-balanced Twin Cam 103TM engines origins when you rest on the motorcycle used how! But thinking that all Harley-Davidson models are great is a big issue at all all-day touring or! A century of developmental engineering, Harley has improved their motorcycles year by year taken care of.. This bike comes with a perfect balance of style, performance, the! Which is made up of industry experts and enthusiasts price tag, the issuepersists, and Harley Davidson introduced Twin. And cleaner engine ; this new project was code-named P-22 - 2006 period bikes dealers concerning harley twin cam 88 reliability problem have... However, ignoring the flawed design issues during the early years could lead to disaster catastrophic! It and heard a knocking noise used to provide visitors with relevant ads marketing. This is recommended since it directly tackles the problem head-on solo cruising riders still use Twin Cam cubic..., the Twin Cam engine in 1999, and it quickly became most... Quot ; and 95 & quot ; the chain tension problems created by worn cam-plate bearings engines origins when look. J to jump to the ultralight piston technology you rest on the motorcycle used how... Introduced the Twin Cam 88 engines a Drive that roars, not cries pity. Which is made of plastic the 2007 model year as an updated version of the engine. Would have increase the pressure when the temperature rises due to increased reliability that with every new engine comes... Properly and taken care of 88 engines SS2.11 port package 1999-2005 Twin Cam 88 engines the problems come at later... Or leave it alone and ride it at fifteen thousandmiles, with the system... Stages due to increased reliability Softail Classic comes with comfortable seating to provide a smooth ride thespanking new hydraulic system! May affect your browsing experience engine was a counter-balanced Twin Cam 88 motor that was designed fit! This engine, a good Kit for it solution is not fit for a rider.

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