Newbie - TC88/ '03 Ultra Questions : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

propflux01 · 09-02-2009, 06:43 PM

I have a new-to-me '03 Ultra. It has 32K on it. I have been told by some of my riding group that went with me to look at it when I bought it (and they ride HD's),said that it is definitely more powerful than a TC88 stocker. They say it sounds like there is some 'cam' to it, and possibly a bigger bore. I have never owned a HD, but wife has an 883, and I do the maintenance on it. I am well schooled in older Suzuki GS's, and this is really my first adventure in HD's. The bike has true duals (Supertrap) and is loud as all hell. I would like to tone it down alittle, but don't want to screw anything up. I am not sure what has been done to it other than this. If the unit has had new cams installed, How can I tell if they are gears driven, or chain driven cams? I am worried about the Cam tensioner thing, and want to make sure it lasts me awhile. The only other problem I could readily see when I rode it is the cruise control not working, the light is on at the switch, but won't set. If there are mods or power commander installed, would that interfere with the cruise? or is it something else? Would reverting to something quieter in the exhaust area mess things up as well (the bike is still FI)? I am very handy with tools, and can figure my way through it as soon as I know half-ass whats going on and how things work, terminology, etc, and want to learn just what I have. Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

route66paul · 09-02-2009, 09:00 PM

Take it by an indy shop, introduce yourself. They can make a damn good guess just by listening to it. The vin will tell you if it is injected, or just look. a compression test will tell you the most about the engine.

propflux01 · 09-02-2009, 09:53 PM

I know it is injected, so got that down pat. There is not much on independent shops around here, just wondered if I could open something up and look at the condition of the tensioners and such, maybe see a number or brand name type of thing.

1949shoebox · 09-02-2009, 10:16 PM

you could just pop the tops off your push rods if you see solid pushrod tubes chances are your motor has never been opened up for any work

1949shoebox · 09-02-2009, 10:17 PM

if it hasnt been touched at 35,000 defenitely look at gear drive your cams

DBotkin · 09-03-2009, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1949shoebox

you could just pop the tops off your push rods if you see solid pushrod tubes chances are your motor has never been opened up for any work

Not so on mine... 95" and cams, with the original pushrods. I'd say if it's got adjustables you can be fairly sure it's had work done, but not the other way around.

03GLIDE_ · 09-03-2009, 01:34 AM

Can you contact the previous owner for info on what you have? I would at the very least pull the cam cover off and have a look at the tensioners and to see if it's gear drive or not.

propflux01 · 09-03-2009, 08:50 AM

Right now I do not have that info, The bike was bought through a wholesaler.

95FLHR · 09-03-2009, 09:27 AM

First off, go and buy yourself a service manual and parts book.
Since you have true duels, it would be easy enough to remove the front head pipe and take off the cam cover to take a look. You can see then if it has gears or chains and if it has chains, do the tensioners need replacing. You should be able to see any fuel management device that was added,i.e. PC III or DFO. If it was flashed or tuned with SERT, you won't see that. Usually those devices are under the seat or side cover. It won't hurt to put quieter mufflers on. You might notice a little loss in top end power but will probably gain some low torque. May run a little rich but that depends on how it is tuned now. There are a lot of good flowing, quiet slip on's out there now.

Good luck with it and ride safe.

Tim

propflux01 · 09-03-2009, 10:09 PM

The book is on it's way, but will be a few before I get it. Thank you for the info, at least I have somewhere to start!

route66paul · 09-03-2009, 10:20 PM

If it had it's work done at a dealer, they should have that info on the computer by Vin number.

Krayven Sumhead · 09-08-2009, 06:59 AM

Cruise Control Problem: Squeeze the front brake lever and make sure the brake lite comes on. If not, someone has changed out the grips without shimming the brake plunger and the brake switch is mucked up, cancelling the cruise control. One of my riding buddies did this to his Ultra.

propflux01 · 09-08-2009, 05:46 PM

Actually, that was first thing I checked. Both work fine, front and rear, and none are 'sticking' on. Waiting for the manual to do the cable check next.

shovelmike · 09-08-2009, 09:21 PM

Another thing that could keep the cruise from working is the rool off switch located on the throttle cable and situated ahead of the gas tank, right side of the frame neck. When I let the dealer was my bike, which they do as a courtesy after service, they get the switch too wet and the cruise won't set until it dries completely. There are spade connectors where the wire terminals connect, it's a simple job to put a jumper on to bypass the switch to see if cruise will then work.

propflux01 · 09-08-2009, 10:05 PM

Thank you, I will try that..