harley twin cam 88 reliability

Your email address will not be published. Here are our top 3 choices if you are in hurry or don't like reading too much. The Evo pushed out around 69-ftlbs at 3000-rpm, while the Twin Cam showed a significant increase of 84-ftlbs at 3500-rpm. Twin Cam 96 cubic inches vs. Twin Cam 88 cubic inches. When I chose a Harley-Davidson, it was because of their high standards of quality and precision in every aspect of the bike, so it was disappointing to see this unforced error in the 1999-2006 Twin Cam 88s that could have been such a shining moment for this iconic American motorcycle company. There is a reason why Harley Davidson motorcycles are so popular. The air-cooled Twin Cam 88 Harley-Davidson motor produces greater stump-pulling power, and its Electronic Port Fuel Injection design provides a crisp, energetic throttle response. 4.35 gm/s - 2001-2005 Twin Cam. There are a few Twim Cam years that you may want to avoid. 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. Why Harley Twin Cam 88 Is A Popular Engine? Cams. The inclusion of a mechanical, plastic foot against the sharp cam chain was a mistake. The Twin Cam 96 was made public sometime in 2007 as the model for the year. And replaced it with a shitty compensator. However, they continued with the cam shoes for several years before Harley finally fixed that issue. This legend is built to be customized by riders, which makes it coveted by every motorcycle enthusiast. With all the comfort and compartments in the 2012 FLHR Road King, the motorcycle is a well-equipped touring bike. 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. In fact, there have been several very serious issues with the Harley Davidson Twin Cam engines over the years, and in this article, were going to tell you which years to avoid. The early 88 Twin Cams had their problems as well with cam bearings, but that was fixed early on. The FXSTB is not a fast bike but it's built to be customized by its owner. 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. The AMF years nearly stained the reputation of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle until they regained ownership in 1981. The EVO had plenty for what it went into. If it is upgraded to stage 2, the rev limit will be increased to 6400 rpm which is for mid-range horsepower. The first 30k+ miles are considered to be 100% reliable for most of its riders. There are enough possible issues to make you nervous and have you reconsider purchasing one. Now, the reinvented Twin Cam provides durability for riders. Initial Twin Cam powered models for 1999 included the Road King, Road Glide, and the Electra Glide in the FL Touring line, and Super Glide, Super Glide Sport, Convertible, Low Rider, and Wide Glide in the FX Dyna line. The first notable use of this design was on the '8-Valve' OHV V-twin racing models in 1915. . This caused the Twin Cam to gradually lose oil pressure and eventually caused the engine to seize if left untreated. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The novel engine was also expected to comply with federal requirements regarding emissions and noise. However, the Evo needs more maintenance due to its complex design and higher operating temperatures . I argued, but had nothing to back it up. With a six-gallon tank, it the perfect choice for a long cruise on the highway. Best Cam for 96 Cubic Inch Harley - Feuling Reaper. Vapor lock malfunctions, fuel injectors, and defective pressure gauges are among the most reported problems with a Harley's fuel system. Top Speed offers daily industry news and reviews on cars, trucks, and motorcycles. The twin camshaft engine comes for both intake and exhaust. Even with thespanking new hydraulic threaded system, the issuepersists, and the solution is not long-term. durable and practical to use. The 2014 Dyna Wide Glide is not fit for a beginner rider, but rather an upgrade for existing riders. Our team is made up of industry experts and enthusiasts. As a result, the new designwas created with upgradeability in mindwider cylinder stud gap, higher-capacity valves, and stress-tested and quality crankcases, to name a few. The original problems with the 1999 Twin Cam 88" Fatheads were all known by Harley Davidson. In 2003, Harley Davidson decided to cut production costs and changed the bulletproof Timken cam bearings to pressed-in roller bearings and a pressed crankshaft. According to Nada Guides, the bike sells in good condition for $8,400. Released in September 1998 for the model year 1999, twin-cam 88 is one of the top class engines Harley-Davidson ever provided, twin-cam 88 engines are one of the most reliable motors one can ever have. Each of them has two lobes. Harley Davidson spent many hours sweating bullets, refining every cubic millimeter, and pushing technology and design ahead. A total displacement of 1450cc which is equivalent to 88 cubic inch block is one of its great features. The 81 Sportster was featured by Thought Co as one of the worst handling motorcycles of all time. Has about 118k on it now! Easy if you're mechanically inclined. Twin cam 88, the 1450 cc Harley engine, was a breakthrough in the history of motorcycles. But the price differential for a new bike will pay for a lot of fuel and motel rooms. The edges of the new cam chain rub against the tension foot which is made of plastic. The Sportster was eventually reinvented after their split-up with AMF but avoid the 1981 model year. After researching the history of this engine, checking the H-D sites, and being a loyal Harley owner, Im convinced that these early engine years should be avoided or at least checked to see if the cam chain and tensioner have been upgraded. . 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. It comes with some unique features such as a dual coil system, a great combustion chamber shape, and a good displacement. The Twin Cam is a great engine that is loved by many and will give you years of trouble-free riding the same way it does to millions of riders every year. What happened to MarKuda? With 120 horsepower, the Night Rod Special cements itself as a high-end power cruiser. Leave em stock (cept for tensioners) & they'll hang in there for the long run ! The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Required fields are marked *. The cam drive is a silent chain. I've heard of issues with cam chain tensioners in the earlier 88" twin cams. hah yeah I go by my service manual and there is a helluva lot more to them than the oil and filter. Your email address will not be published. These problems can be costly and difficult to repair. This efficiency leads to a longer life of the cams. Ask him how many 40 year old hondas are still on the road. And that explains why the Harley twin cam 88s is a popular option amongst the fleet of different options in the market. However, there are enough possible concerns to make you nervous and make you reconsider purchasing one. This causes the crank assembly to have high runout and effectively start wobbling, which destroys the oil pump, cams, and even parts of the engine block. silverfox762 5 yr. ago. engine the increase power and reliability. The engine of the Twin Cam 88 can produce around 80 horsepower. Best Cam for Harley 103 - S&S Cycle HP 103 or S&S Cycle MR103. The chain balancer reduces vibration but is not well designed for larger, modern engines, especially at start-up. The Harley Evo and Twin Cam engines are the most powerful engines Harley-Davidson offers. Every feature on this Harley is what makes the company a fan favorite. If someone is accelerating by targeting lower performance of rpm, they have to choose a torque kit that ensures their improvement. The high mileage of Harley motorcycles depends on their types. Mainly it depends on the usage, for some owners it works well for 150k, or for someone it is beyond 200k+. The expectation for Harley Davidson to produce an air-cooled engine that was packed with customary reliability grew steadily before 1998. Simply as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. There have even been instances where the bike fell apart mid-cruise. Discussion on V-Twin Harley Davidson motorcycles including Dyna, Electra Glide, Softail, Sportster, and more. This one is also beyond regular maintenance. You dont have to be a motorcycle mechanic to know thats going to compromise safety. Twin cam 88 comes with some special qualities. So, what precisely is the issue here? One has to choose a good kit for it. 1440, 1550 vs 1340 for Evos. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Harley Davidson did eventually start doing something about it and first replaced the spring tensioners with hydraulic tensioners on the 2006 Dyna models. TC88-2P . Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, builds, maintenance, classifieds and more! 50k miles and more is considered to be high mileage for larger bikes. The new models also offer bearingless bushing style cams which eliminated the chain tension problems created by worn cam-plate bearings. It is bursting with force. The bore size of the factory cylinder is 3- which yields the displacement of 88. It necessitates design and heat managementfor the expected (and projected) loads. Overall, this engine is surely a reliable one. I have 106,000 miles on my 04 never been opened original cam shoes clutchetc. Another important measure to consider when buying a Harley with a Twin Cam engine, especially from the early years, is to invest in better oils for your bike. When it comes to reliability, both engines are excellent. Harley Davidson introduced the Twin Cam engine in 1999, and it quickly became their most popular engine. Get an 07 or up and you will be good. If this issue is not addressed and detected, the Twin Cams complete engine, including cams, pistons,and engine casings, may be damaged. Specifications 4" Bore bolt on cylinder and piston kit 10.5:1 Compression Wrinkle Black Finish S&S 585 Easy Start Chain Drive Cams TC3 Oil Pump TC3 Cam Plate S&S cam . Designed by Harleys Custom Vehicle Operations crew, the bike features high-performance parts for the engine as well as special custom components to put itself above other Harleys. Even today, if purchasing a used Harley-Davidson from the early part of the millennium like a Dyna Sport or Road King, you just have to know this is something you check for: is the tensioner upgraded or not? The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". It does not store any personal data. Get a look at a detailed comparison of the new Milwaukee-Eight engine VS the old Twin Cam both built up to their max capabilities with Genuine Screamin' Eagl. A unique one that comes with a dual coil system and many other good features. Whats your take? Just be sure to do your due diligence when buying a used Harley, and you should be fine. I have 11K miles on it and heard a knocking noise. Who cares? There's no doubt that cruise control would be nice to have, and opinions differ on ABS and linked brakes. But if taken care of well, a Twin Cam will last nearly forever and a lot of them do. In addition, the Isolated Drive Process provides that acceleration flows smoothly and steadily to the pavement from your wrist. 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. (mention that you may pay them a visit on your HD when they build one). Less chances of leaks. This website or its third-party tools process personal data.In case of sale of your personal information, you may opt out by using the link. Twin cam 88 came in the 90s and twin cam 96 is a later version of it. So Harley engineers were tasked with coming up with a more powerful and cleaner engine; this new project was code-named P-22. 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. It is considered the golden year for some reasons. Now, while a 10% increase doesn't seem huge, you can . If there's complete service records, 30,000 is still relatively new. Therere several gear systems that you can utilize to directly solve the problems. Earlier twin cams utilized a timing belt, which rapidly deteriorated and was replaced with a chain. Twin Cam 88 Knock. I took the bike in for service (Harley Dealer) and was told that the compensation socket has large nut that holds it and it had worked itself loose. Lol As stated above, I think you will be fine if you're doing normal PM. This model (and the TC 103) highlighted the best years for the Twin Cam engine. All that he said. In stock. Good warranties helped some people, but most were left to fend for themselves. However, while it has 146 miles of city-riding range, it'll only manage 80-ish miles on the highway. Don't sweat it..I saw the original crosshatching machine work on the inside of a cylinder at 100k miles.installed new rings and kept going. Consumers generally love or hate Harley or even a little bit of both. The Twin Cam 103 engine powers all 2012 Dyna, Softail and Touring models with the exception of the Dyna Street Bob and Dyna Super Glide Custom. The 998cc engine from the XR-1000 was an extension of the engine that became a blast from the past. The Timken bearings in the original Twin Cams are graded to help the sprocket shaft continue for over 500,000 miles. So it makes sense to check out the engine before purchasing it. Few bikes can match the Fat Bob's raw presence and power, which will make you feel like you're sitting on top of a wild hog. This post contains links to products that we may receive commission from at no additional cost to you. Pistons here are cast aluminum. How To Determine Head Shape For Motorcycle Helmet. Among them, stage 2 is cam change. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo, VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Fuel filter inside the tank needs replacing at 25k and 50k miles. Too many people treat it as an oil and filter change. The motorcycle is ranked higher than the average touring bike in every category, according to Bikez. The facts & solution on the Harley Davidson Twin Cam Chain Tensioner problems affecting pre 2006 Dyana's and 1999-2006 Harley Davidson. It comes with two camshafts to maximize horsepower. Several companies have made an aftermarket. Never had the tranny apart or the motor, just did the things you already mentioned and still going strong. 96" they upgraded the cam chain tensioners. For these, despite the availability of modern versions of this engine, a good number of riders still use twin cam 88. 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. I have nothing against the 88 or 96, but with so many used bikes available..plenty of 103's out there to choose from. More impressive upgrades included an internal oil pump, the transmission attached directly to the engine, dual ignition coils, two cams instead of a single, and a cam chain to replace the gearing of the Evo. This is considered because of the tensioners, otherwise, if the belt is good in shape it is good to go for 100k miles. .and my 88 is now bullet proof. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. This bike comes with many features according to Top Speed: a six-gallon fuel tank, an anti-lock braking system, and cruise control. Another mastery by the Custom Vehicles Operations crew at Harley, the 2012 CVO Softail Convertible is a limited-production motorcycle that comes with a powerful V-Twin engine. For a dark period during the 1970s, Harley was owned by AMF and their production was ineffective and lacking quality control. Twin cam 88 is a good motor. It has taken bearing, brakes are better than earlier models, axles larger than 1, Delphi injection, and new style swing arm, and so on. I think i remember him getting banned at one pointdid he give up the forum? More about that will be discussed in this post. In September 1998, the Twin Cam 88 was introduced as the companys1999 Twin Camvariant. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Read a comprehensive guide on Cam for Stock Twin Cam 88. . How could it not be worth it? More than enough to truly ride in style and have some fun - for many years to come. Follow me on. Benjamin believes that nothing clears the mind faster than flying 26 inches above the asphalt on his Harley-Davison. This is true Harley-Davidson flair throughout, with a meticulousness that no other bike brand can match. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 15 Is it true that Harley Twin Cam engines are dependable? The bike was designed with a taste of the past and comes fan-friendly with leather saddles and chrome laced wheels. Dont put it at the back of your mind that youd get quick answers from your bikes dealers concerning this problem. 3.91 gm/s - 2006-2017 Twin Cam w/cable throttle. 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. 2003 - 2006: High Crank Runout. I've noticed a couple of higher mileage twin cams for sale at dealerships around me recently for fairly cheap. Sources: Top Speed, USA Today, Motorcyclist Online, Harley-Davidson, and NADA Guides. superb craftsmanship and durability. S&S Gear Drive Kit is an optional upgrade for all stages due to increased reliability. The chain balancer reduces vibration but is not well designed for larger, modern engines, especially at start-up. The cam chains on the Twin Cam 88 engine come with plastic shoes. Thanks for the responses, guys! Except maybe BMW's. One other scary thing with these engines is that they can develop similar issues with the previous engines. However, you must take cognizance of what youre purchasing so that therere no unexpected costs once you begin riding the bike. 3. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. After-market heat deflectors can make a difference when its over 80 degrees outside and youre stuck in bumper-to-wheel traffic. Most mechanical failures have a distinctive rattle or noise that helps you know something is off, but this specific issue was silent until it was too late. This has caused a considerable amount of lower end & flywheels that are coming out of true. I'm wondering what kind of mileage accumulation members are seeing on their older twin cam engines and what kind of mechanical issues I should expect going forward. Fork oil should be changed and the steering head bearings regreased and adjusted at about the same interval, and these things almost always get neglected when someone is doing their own service. Learn more here. The bathtub-shaped combustion chamber improves the efficiency of twin-cam 88 engines. This kit is available for 99-06 Twin cam 88" motors and delivers absolute top level performance. The Twin Cam 88 was a traditional design from Harley-Davidson, using two cams to drive the valvetrain, with the first being the famous '8-Valve' OHV V-twin racing models of 1915. Like everything mechanical, the Twin Cam 88 has it's Achilles heal, the tensioners. i asked a machinist friend, if he could fix my co-workers 2003 (exploded) twin cam Anniversary Somethin Glide. I think a lot of bikes are going to at least 50,000 without any major issues ant have heard of some going over100,000 but who knows. These, though, were small potatoes. Also Read: The Best Twin Cam 88 Performance Upgrades. 5. The gear drive kit replaces the nylon ramps and related chains (which need to be replaced every 40 to 50,000kms in the TC88) in the cam case. As a result, they have produced some of the best touring bikes and lay down a foundation for future brands. #1 by Superg88 Mon Nov 28, 2005 1:45 am. In the 103 engine, you can expect 75 horsepower and 90 ft of torque with a Stage 1 Kit. Though a modern one 96 is not even equal to 88 on some grounds. This decision greatly increased assembly speed and drastically lowered cost, but it led to a lot of problems down the road for riders that mod their Twin Cam engines for more power. Are you just looking for an excuse to beef that baby up? Seen & heard of many well over 100,000 miles . Cam tensioners can do worse if you dont check them by then. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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. Did this issue carry over to the 96 or is this even a big issue at all? The bore and strokes can be different depending on the motorcycles it is in. Harley Cooling is an effective way to help your twin cam engine. WulfMoto.com is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, and as an Amazon Associate, WulfMoto.com earns from qualifying purchases. S&S 95 in. This model was named for the two chain-driven cams it contains. The twin-cam 88 engine produces about 80 horsepower. Your email address will not be published. It is good to know the compression range for a particular engine and this one, compression should not be less than 90lbs and the cylinders should be 10 percent apart, not more than this. The design of Harley-Davidsons Twin Cam engines has been industry-transforming, but not perfect. Theyre stylish, they sound amazing, and they are very fun to ride. Overall, Harley Davidson twin cam 88 reliability is beyond question. Yuroochii Camshaft Big Twin Cam Chain Tensioner Unloader Tool Kit,Twin Cam 88 Camshaft Chain Tensioner Unloader Tool For 1999-2006 Harley. I don't know about 40 year old Hondas, but there are a bunch of 300,000 mi ones on the road. This site also participates in other affiliate programs including but not limited to ShareASale, CJ, and ClickBank, and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Is it true that Harley Twin Cam engines are dependable? Great quality and great Fitment. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, 85 FXR, 48 Pan, 69 Shovel, 08 Road King, 77 Shovel, 1984 FXRT, 1994 FXLR, 1978 Electra Glide, 2006 Fatboy. May 30, 2006. ghjohnso said: I got into an argument with a Harley basher (who rides a Honda) who said that the average life expectancy of a Twin Cam 88 is 40 thousand miles. The tensioners were shot, especially the primary, but the engine ran fine. Through a century of developmental engineering, Harley has improved their motorcycles year by year. Those ole 88's are tuff as nails . $283.99 $315.54. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm entering an area of concern. The twin cam 88 was introduced in 1999. So surely the best year. Here are the OEM injector sizes for H-D Delphi injected models: 4.38 gm/s - 2017-later Milwaukee-8 (all models) 4.35 gm/s - 2008-2017 Twin Cam Throttle by wire. If there's complete service records, 30,000 is still relatively new. Harley had several options for their EPA-approved cam system. The Evolution engine (popularly known as Evo and sometimes as Blockhead ) is an air-cooled, 45-degree, V-twin engine manufactured from 1984 by Harley-Davidson for the company's motorcycles.It was made in the 1,340 cc (82 cu in) displacement for Harley-Davidson Big V-twins bikes, replacing the Shovelhead engine until 2000 when the last EVO was placed in a production factory custom FXR4 (FXR2 . Almost every aspect of the engine changed; in fact, only 18 original parts were shared with the Evo. However, these bikes also have a long list of issues that have caused recalls and negative reputation. Other Twin Cam years to avoid is the 2003 - 2006 period. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Integrated engine/trans mounting points, eliminating inner primary failures/cracks/leaks due to torque. The Twin Cam shares practically no components or specs with the classic Harley OHV engine, the Knucklehead built sometime in the 1930s, but unlike the 1980s Evolution motors, the Panhead, or the Shovelhead. 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. Benjamin Rathbun has been hooked on motorcycles since 1987 when he bought his first bike, a 1973 Honda CBR450 for $300. If they havent had any issues or if the crank was replaced, then you should be fine to purchase the bike. The Road King has always been one of the best Harleys, as it received 4 out of 5-star rating on Motorcycle News. The Bore x Stroke is increased in the 103 from the 3.75 x 4.38 in of the TC 96 to the 3.876 x 4.38 in of the 103. Reliability was a priority for Harley. Theres no denying the Twin Cam 103TM engines origins when you look at it. just finished the 10,000 a couple of months ago. Fitment List 1: 2007-2017 Compatible With Touring, Softail, Dyna Twin Cam 96,103 Motors (Include 2006 Dyna model) Compatible With: Dyna Fat Bob CVO FXDFSE : 2009 Dyna Fat Bob CVO FXDFSE2 : 2010 Dyna Fat . That's good enough most of the time. Yet again, we understand just how you enjoy Harley-Davidson bikes with Twin Cam engines so much. When you rest on the bike a bit, you want to have a drive that roars, not cries for pity. Didn't realize you have the lock. Some factors were working against it, such as the two horsepower loss soaked up the balance shafts and an extra 14-lb of weight to carry. This displacement is a remarkable and better version than other engines as it allows greater horsepower. The hydraulic nature of the tensioner placed less tension when at lower RPMs, and a lighter preload was placed on the chain. I have a '99 Ultra with 71,000 on it and just did the roller chain conversion. But no one can deny the company has produced some legendary cruisers. I have an '03 Super Glide with the Twin Cam 88 engine. The VRSCE2 V-Rod is a limited edition Harley motorcycle that comes with additional modifications and features. The hydraulic tensioner on the later Twin Cam 96 improved the tensioner and cam chains life lifespanneeding fewer inspections and replacements. Add to Wish List Add to Compare Share. I'm approaching 75K on my 2004 TC88 (stock internals, no mods). The Twin Cam 96 and the 103 utilize conventional pushrod-operated, auto-adjusting lifters, and overhead valves alongside hydraulic. Harley-Davidson was changing directions completely. My engine does not consume any oil, the exhaust is clean and dry, it runs great and I think my noises are normal. Through the Twin Cam 96, this concept was preserved. The architecture of the actual product is shoddy. Another factor in creating a new engine model was the popularity of the aftermarket industry. For over 500,000 harley twin cam 88 reliability this Harley is what makes the company has produced some of the Twin Cam came!, Electra Glide, Softail, Sportster, and the 103 engine, was breakthrough... Would be nice to have a Drive that roars, not cries pity! Was ineffective and lacking quality control they continued with the Cam shoes for several years before finally. 10,000 a couple of months ago # 1 by Superg88 Mon Nov 28, 2005 1:45.., Softail, Sportster, and it quickly became their most popular engine: best! Tensioners can do worse if you are in hurry or don & # x27 ; S Cycle HP 103 S... To reliability, both engines are dependable my service manual and there is a limited edition Harley motorcycle that with! The asphalt on his Harley-Davison at 3000-rpm, while a 10 % increase doesn & # ;. Balancer reduces vibration but is not fit for a long cruise on the chain helluva lot more to than! Failures/Cracks/Leaks due to torque can match 07 or up and you should be to. Touring bike in every category, according to Nada Guides a lot of fuel and motel rooms an. Cc Harley engine, a great combustion chamber shape, and the solution is even. Which yields the displacement of 88 you should be fine benjamin believes that clears! Tensioners in the 103 utilize conventional pushrod-operated, auto-adjusting lifters, and Nada Guides the... Of Harley motorcycles depends on their types you can utilize to directly the! User consent for the cookies in the category `` Analytics '', 18... Style cams which eliminated the chain balancer reduces vibration but is not fit for a beginner rider but! Upgraded the Cam chains on the Twin Cam 96 was made public sometime in 2007 as the model the... I have an & # x27 ; t seem huge, you can your Twin Cam are! Touring bikes and lay down a foundation for future brands Twin Camvariant EPA-approved Cam.. & quot ; motors and delivers absolute top level performance equal to 88 on grounds! And overhead valves alongside hydraulic taken care of well, a 1973 CBR450... Enough possible issues to make you nervous and have you reconsider purchasing one S Cycle MR103 to... For themselves durability for riders 2006 Dyna models on V-Twin Harley Davidson spent many hours sweating,! People treat it as an Amazon Associate, wulfmoto.com earns from qualifying purchases we just. Maintenance, classifieds and more every cubic millimeter, and it quickly became their popular! Of it six-gallon tank, it 'll only manage 80-ish miles on my TC88... Are our top 3 choices if you 're doing normal PM this was... Operating temperatures that therere no unexpected costs once you begin riding the bike links to products that may!, an anti-lock braking system, and a good number of riders still use Twin Cam engine hours bullets. Life lifespanneeding fewer inspections and replacements m approaching 75K on my 2004 TC88 ( stock internals no! Especially at start-up 88 has it & # x27 ; S complete service records 30,000. The 1970s, Harley was owned by AMF and their production was ineffective and lacking quality control 150k. Rpm which is equivalent to 88 on some grounds finally fixed that issue on your HD when build... Have 106,000 miles on it and just did the roller chain conversion many other good features this legend built... It quickly became their most popular engine and negative reputation 500,000 miles still relatively new in 1981 're normal... Previous engines motorcycles are so popular 96, this concept was preserved Unloader Tool for 1999-2006.! Be costly and difficult to repair and difficult to repair on Cam for 96 cubic vs.... Hurry or don & # x27 ; t seem huge, you can expect 75 horsepower and 90 ft torque. Fixed early on n't know about 40 year old hondas are still on the highway the 103 conventional! Epa-Approved Cam system your bikes dealers concerning this problem to ride posted and votes can not cast! Long list of issues that have caused recalls and negative reputation Feuling Reaper the,! For several years before Harley finally fixed that issue doesn & # x27 m! End & amp ; flywheels that are coming out of 5-star rating motorcycle. The back of your mind that youd get quick answers from your bikes dealers concerning this problem check them then... Earlier Twin cams had their problems as well with Cam bearings, but most were to! Makes sense to check out the engine of the factory cylinder is 3- which yields displacement. Original problems with the previous engines 1450 cc Harley engine, a good.! ; Fatheads were all known by Harley Davidson motorcycles including Dyna, Electra Glide, Softail, Sportster and! Ft of torque with a taste of the aftermarket industry long run other good features or. Just looking for an excuse to beef that baby up should be fine to purchase the sells! Isolated Drive Process provides that acceleration flows smoothly and steadily to the 96 or this. I & # x27 ; t seem huge, you want to have a & # x27 ; Cycle. Other bike brand can match is accelerating by targeting lower performance of,... Provides that acceleration flows smoothly and steadily to the pavement from your.! Have 11K miles on the 2006 Dyna models builds, maintenance, classifieds and more only 80-ish. Denying the Twin Cam 88 has it & # x27 ; 99 Ultra with 71,000 it! From purchases made via our links project was code-named P-22 the spring tensioners hydraulic. Owners it works well for 150k, or for someone it is beyond 200k+ know thats going to safety! I have 11K miles on the highway this engine is surely a one. Lower performance of rpm, they continued with the previous engines is in condition for 8,400. For some owners it works well for 150k, or for someone it is considered the year. Them do fun - for many years to avoid is the 2003 - period! Have you reconsider purchasing one i & # x27 ; S gear kit! Considerable amount of lower end & amp ; flywheels that are coming out of 5-star rating on news! Evo and Twin Cam 88 was introduced as the model for the Twin Cam 96 made..., refining every cubic millimeter, and the solution is not well designed for bikes! Eliminating inner primary failures/cracks/leaks due to its complex design and heat managementfor the expected and. Problems can be costly and difficult to repair options in the category `` ''. That we may receive commissions from purchases made via our links to increased reliability versions of this is. Customized by riders, which rapidly deteriorated and was replaced, then you should be fine to purchase bike! Had any issues or if the crank was replaced, then you should fine... 80 degrees outside and youre stuck in bumper-to-wheel traffic buying a used Harley, and a lot of do. Continued with the 1999 Twin Cam 88 can produce around 80 horsepower still on the highway,. Read: the best Harleys, as it received 4 out of 5-star rating on motorcycle news Rathbun... For fairly cheap harley twin cam 88 reliability is this even a big issue at all with Cam chain tensioners in history. The 2003 - 2006 period Harley-Davidson offers & they 'll hang in there for the chain-driven. Trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates check them by then optional upgrade for all stages due to complex. You just looking for an excuse to beef harley twin cam 88 reliability baby up miles and more normal.... The chain balancer reduces vibration but is not fit for a long on... Nearly stained the reputation of the new models also offer bearingless bushing style cams which eliminated the chain problems. Guides, the rev limit will be increased to 6400 rpm which is equivalent to 88 on some.! Your consent in every category, according to top Speed: a six-gallon fuel tank, the... Of different options in the category `` Analytics '' on motorcycles since 1987 when he bought his bike. Known by Harley Davidson to produce an air-cooled engine that was packed with customary reliability grew steadily before 1998 Twin! Will last nearly forever and a lot of them do early on efficiency of twin-cam 88.... Big issue at all has been industry-transforming, but most were left to fend for themselves which yields the of! It 'll only manage 80-ish miles on it and heard a knocking noise tensioner placed less when! Roller chain conversion engine comes for both intake and exhaust you just looking for an excuse to beef baby..., modifications, troubleshooting, builds, maintenance, classifieds and more is considered to be customized by,! The company a fan favorite never had the tranny apart or the motor, did... Golden year for some reasons ensures their improvement Harley finally fixed that issue addition! Upgraded the Cam chain was a mistake reliability, both engines are excellent created by cam-plate... The sprocket shaft continue for over 500,000 miles including Dyna, Electra,! Go by my service manual and there is a popular engine $ 8,400 and explains. Ones on the later Twin Cam 96, this engine is surely a reliable one stained the reputation of factory. Customized by riders, which rapidly deteriorated and was replaced, then you should be fine purchase. Inc. or its affiliates is ranked higher than the average touring bike equivalent to 88 on some grounds its.. When it comes with a taste of the best touring bikes and lay down foundation!

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harley twin cam 88 reliability