Has the MoCo resolved its crankshaft issues?

[george248]

yeah, the dealers know everything... honest too

[Hoot Gibson]

Just the fact that HD changed the spec to .012 tells the story. Suddenly, a whole bunch of out of spec cranks now just fine.

That was easy!!!

[pittguy]

Hd has thrown some bandaids since this started to spread,The SB903 download on the 07s,the FBW in 08 which limited rider from cranking throttle open at lower speeds and the IDS which was retrofitted to included the 07 tourers.Some of the engine guys, even ones that post here have stated seeing runouts excessive on stock low mileage bikes.Bikes under couple hundred miles.Most guys dont put much mileage on within the warranty period or sell for a new model once its up.Hd is betting on this.From those that have posted so far I would say the 07 crowd has experienced the runouts more so than 08s.Yet the new runout specs have made what was once bad,now ok.Time will tell.

[AZFXSTB]

Originally Posted by pittguy

Hd has thrown some bandaids since this started to spread,The SB903 download on the 07s,the FBW in 08 which limited rider from cranking throttle open at lower speeds and the IDS which was retrofitted to included the 07 tourers.Some of the engine guys, even ones that post here have stated seeing runouts excessive on stock low mileage bikes.Bikes under couple hundred miles.Most guys dont put much mileage on within the warranty period or sell for a new model once its up.Hd is betting on this.From those that have posted so far I would say the 07 crowd has experienced the runouts more so than 08s.Yet the new runout specs have made what was once bad,now ok.Time will tell.

Well from what I can see if they would have done right with the crank the 96 would have been the best motor yet..of course after you DE-EPAed it but overall it would have really been done right with a stout crank and a timken. As much as I hate to say I understand their thinking though...most bikes get no/low miles so they went for the gamble. Doesn't make it right though

[pittguy]

Whenever someting new was in the works HD usually had plenty of time to do their testing,lately this doesnt seem to be the case.The past few yrs has had major changes in a short time frame until production.Im sure the bean counters have their hands in this also.More road testing needs done or another crew involved in the testing-no golf courses.Real world testing not the test track stuff.How could something like this been missed unless a vendor blew it!The aftermarket cranks need help also in most cases but maybe not when mated to a stock 96 incher.Some owners can break anything but I dont think that applies here.My current 07 FLHX is just shy of .003" on the cam side and that was prior to 5000 miles,the bike spent the first 11 months either being tested by HD or at dealer getting the normal treatment.Winter months played into equation.My guess is the runout couldve been like that from day one.The bike shows no signs of excessive vibration but I know it could very well shorten its life and I hold onto bikes longer than some.Just what is a two yr warranty worth? And why replace the unit under warranty with the chance of it happening again?

[pittguy]

The P&A catalog under screaming eagle assys now offers new compensator,timken tooling,inserts,brgs

[route66paul]

Many of the old flatheads and knuckles have cranks that you can actually see that they have runout trouble, and just keep on going, like a Briggs and Straton lawnmower engine. These engines don't even hit 5000, but they keep on plugging along. We are talking about low HP engines though

[claydbal]

Originally Posted by route66paul

Many of the old flatheads and knuckles have cranks that you can actually see that they have runout trouble, and just keep on going, like a Briggs and Straton lawnmower engine. These engines don't even hit 5000, but they keep on plugging along. We are talking about low HP engines though

yep, but they dont take out the oil pump because of runout.

[pittguy]

Since HD now has the know how and the parts to do the timken conversions,why not add that to their engine remanufacturing service? A winter special would do dealers good, pull motor and send it! Might give a few guys their jobs back that are now on the street.Putting an end to this rant,maybe add a yrs warranty on top of it.This repair could go back to when timkens were eliminated.Why not make $$$ off repairing the lower end they shouldve built in the first place.

[pittguy]

According to screaming eagle catalog the timken kit is for 08 and later,so maybe the 09s are again a timken setup!

[claydbal]

Originally Posted by pittguy

According to screaming eagle catalog the timken kit is for 08 and later,so maybe the 09s are again a timken setup!

so------what different between 08/09? whats different between 07/08?

still no mention of line lapping.

[Geezer-Glide]

Originally Posted by claydbal

yep, but they dont take out the oil pump because of runout.

Because the oil pump is gear driven off the side of the crank, not off the end like the TC's.

[AZFXSTB]

Originally Posted by pittguy

According to screaming eagle catalog the timken kit is for 08 and later,so maybe the 09s are again a timken setup!

That would be nice but something tells me no.....I would be surprised if the MOCO gave up that money makin scam to sell you something that should have been there to begin with

[claydbal]

Originally Posted by Geezer-Glide

Because the oil pump is gear driven off the side of the crank, not off the end like the TC's.

yep, that was the point. they designed something that is necessary to keep runout at a minimum, then say .012 if fine. moco knows the pump is taking a beating.

i read somewhere that the average 5 year old HD had 6000 miles---1200 miles per year for the average HD owner. at that rate, they have built profits into their pockets for engine replacement, plus avoided any losses due to warranty.

[pittguy]

No 09 timken appears to be true.Hd did change something either flywheel wise or l.h case wise by machining but the runout specs of latest update appear to the same.Maybe .001" greater.