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It's good to hear your twin-cam has been reliable.
In addition to the XR1200X, there was the 1200S (made before '04). It had good cornering clearance and traditional Harley styling as well. The FXR model had good cornering clearance, but they don't make it anymore. I don't recall how many degrees of lean angle the FXR models had. I know it's more than any of the current Dynas, though.
yup, 35,000 miles and not problems, but...
I would like to upgrade to a post 2007 model equipped with the "Twin-Cam 96ci" motor as these later ones have the "Hydraulic" Cam Chain Tensioners
or retrofit my 04 to the "Hydraulic" Cam Chain Tensioners .... big job though
No need to get a new bike. You can boost your 88ci engine to 96ci and beyond. S&S makes good stuff.
I did the "Stage 1" upgrade and it added a lot of power.. its amazing what just a bigger air cleaner, ECU Flash and good exhaust will do... I'm satisfied with the power
but I would like the hydraulic cam chain tensioners
More than gear driven cams? I think they have that mod.
I'd rather have the gear driven cams, the hydraulic cam tensioners might be better than spring loaded tensioner but you still have a nylon (or some kind of plastic) riding against a chain, sort of a ticking time bomb though, no real idea how long they'll last. Gear drive eliminates that problem altogether.
I'd rather have the gear driven cams, the hydraulic cam tensioners might be better than spring loaded tensioner but you still have a nylon (or some kind of plastic) riding against a chain, sort of a ticking time bomb though, no real idea how long they'll last. Gear drive eliminates that problem altogether.
the gear drive conversion is good too, but quite a bit more costly, usually involving replacing the cams and sometimes the crank (if runout exceeds tolerance)
The only draw backs to the gear drive are...noise and cost.
Noise emissions are one of the reasons that H-D didn't use them, sure would have saved them some headaches
Gears set up properly are great, the crank runout needs to be within spec (.003 or less, preferably .002 or less) and you need to check backlash and go with an oversized or undersized gear as appropriate. .... sounds complicated and expensive
I once read somewhere... "If you are looking for every fraction of a horse power, absolute spot on timing, then go with gears. If you want reliability, quiet, and are just running down the road, go with the new style tensioners."
also read... "The first step is to check your runout. The results may make your choice for you."
sounds like a "gear-drive" conversion can get really expensive if your crank runout exceeds tolerance
the gear drive conversion is good too, but quite a bit more costly, usually involving replacing the cams and sometimes the crank (if runout exceeds tolerance)
The only draw backs to the gear drive are...noise and cost.
Noise emissions are one of the reasons that H-D didn't use them, sure would have saved them some headaches
Gears set up properly are great, the crank runout needs to be within spec (.003 or less, preferably .002 or less) and you need to check backlash and go with an oversized or undersized gear as appropriate. .... sounds complicated and expensive
I once read somewhere... "If you are looking for every fraction of a horse power, absolute spot on timing, then go with gears. If you want reliability, quiet, and are just running down the road, go with the new style tensioners."
also read... "The first step is to check your runout. The results may make your choice for you."
sounds like a "gear-drive" conversion can get really expensive if your crank runout exceeds tolerance
I had an independent bike shop put a gear drive in my 99 Road King. The runout was OK so we went ahead and did the gear drive. If it whines any more, I can't tell the difference, runs good and I never have to worry about it again. I used something similar to the stock grind. That and a 30K mile service (fork oil change, etc.) was about $1900. Considering even the hyd. tensioners still use a nylon shoe against the chain, there's going to be some wear. I will say that from what I've read, just replacing the spring tensioners and using the original chain in the original direction of, the replacement tensioners should last longer since the chain was "polished" buy the first set of tensioners.
I don't know why HD doesn't sell a gear drive setup under the Screaming Eagle "track use only" banner.
Yes the gear installation is a little more complicated but once done it's worry free,
I had an independent bike shop put a gear drive in my 99 Road King. The runout was OK so we went ahead and did the gear drive. If it whines any more, I can't tell the difference, runs good and I never have to worry about it again. I used something similar to the stock grind. That and a 30K mile service (fork oil change, etc.) was about $1900. Considering even the hyd. tensioners still use a nylon shoe against the chain, there's going to be some wear. I will say that from what I've read, just replacing the spring tensioners and using the original chain in the original direction of, the replacement tensioners should last longer since the chain was "polished" buy the first set of tensioners.
I don't know why HD doesn't sell a gear drive setup under the Screaming Eagle "track use only" banner.
Yes the gear installation is a little more complicated but once done it's worry free,
It is odd that they don't.... the market is enormous when you figure how many TC-88 engines are out there
I would feel a lot more comfortable if there was an HD Gear-drive upgrade kit
Even if I opted for the S&S or some other aftermarket version, the fact that HD sells a version too would add some credibility to this type of modification
think about it? every other modification or "soup up" kit available in the aftermarket world is also available from HD for a couple bucks more
I have owned Harleys. They're comfortable, smooth, reliable, and stylish. With that said, today, I ride an Indian Chief. Harley historically neglected their customers and weren't a good value in my opinion...not a bad value, but they should offer more for what you pay. . . .I'd buy a used one.
I have to say.....
I think they're still amazing bikes....
I went to a few different Harley
shops over the past few weeks.....
So my intention was to look at Sportsers.....
I fell in love with a fatbob, though-
A beautiful orange fatbob.....
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