longevity of the closed loop 103 on the trike

[fogrider]

The trikes been out for five+ years now. Im curious about the longevity of the mostly stock 103. Mine seems to be doing good but I,ve only got 16000. Anybody have high mileage and no problems? Anybody have high mileage and starting to have engine problems?

 

[Gorilla]

Not to worry. By many the 103 is considered the best size for the Twin Cam engine. It's stock form install was started on the 207 Police bikes. I know of many that have well over 100k non issue miles. I had 60k on my police road king converted to a trike when I sold it For my present 13 Tri-Glide. Always used synthenic oil never had an issue. So not to worry.

 

[screwball]

40,000+ miles on my '09 and 25,000 on wife's '11. Stage 1 upgrade is all we have done to both. Ride in 100+ degree heat all summer.

 

[rhino 2]

I have a little over 24 thousand miles on my 11 [T/G 103], So far no engine problems..
I do use Synthetic oil in all 3 holes......

 

[Boom]

20,000 on my 2010 Stage 1. No real issues, just a slight oil drip started from oil pan area. Hope it isn't serious. Getting a new cam and lifters plus TTS dyno tune in May.

 

[Keystone]

52k on my '09. Minor issues is all.

 

[Bikerbozo]

68k on my stock '10 TG. Running synthetic oil. Still runs good.

 

[KRUZR]

20,000 on my 2010 Stage 1. No real issues, just a slight oil drip started from oil pan area. Hope it isn't serious. Getting a new cam and lifters plus TTS dyno tune in May.

Just had my Street Glide/CSC Trike in for service and an a minor oil leak. My HD Tech told me especially on Trikes, the oil pan bolts just need to be re-torqued every 40 to 50K for some reason. This may save you some money??

Upgraded my 2007 96" to a 103 at around 12 K, needed lifters at 28K, had the Trike Conversion done at around 34K and did another set of lifters at 58K. I have 65K on it now and it runs real well. I've used Synthetic oil since it was new.

 

[eagle1]

hay BOOM have u considered installing a S&S gear cam?
plus's are
1. elimination of cam shoes.
2. great low end acceleration.
cons
1. if the shoes go bad you will tear up the oil pump etc.


a slight whine from the cams. but as they are built so that they can't go anywhere.
$1500.00 cost
you might also instALL A BAISLEY OR fueling spring.
the gear cams run on squirle guage bearings, so they need the
"immediate" oil pressure to extend their life. my "F" spring ,i have 55-60 psi anywhere above idle. idle is 15-20 psi.
i installed mine at 11k, on '09 t/g. 29k. now no problems.
i had a local bike shop install the cams.

 

[fogrider]

Thanks for the replies. Looks like with good maintinance and paying attention to the heat issues, th engine can last up to 50, 60 thousand or more.

 

[DK Custom Products]

On my stock 2011 TG, at 10K miles, a total top end replacement was made under warranty due to damage from excessive heat.

It was broken in per the manual, maintained properly, and ridden normally. 300+ degree temps are just too much.

Kevin

 

[msocko3]

hay BOOM have u considered installing a S&S gear cam?
plus's are
1. elimination of cam shoes.
2. great low end acceleration.
cons
1. if the shoes go bad you will tear up the oil pump etc.


a slight whine from the cams. but as they are built so that they can't go anywhere.
$1500.00 cost
you might also instALL A BAISLEY OR fueling spring.
the gear cams run on squirle guage bearings, so they need the
"immediate" oil pressure to extend their life. my "F" spring ,i have 55-60 psi anywhere above idle. idle is 15-20 psi.
i installed mine at 11k, on '09 t/g. 29k. now no problems.
i had a local bike shop install the cams.

IMO I don't trust the crankshaft not to shift on the 07 & later Twin Cams, even some of the older TC's had issues. Running gear drive without plugging or welding the crank is rolling the dice, maybe you get luckey or you have an expensive repair bill when the crank shifts and your gear drive starts sounding like a cement mixer and chips teeth.

This is what happens to the gears when your crank decides to shift. Unless your commited to pulling the cam chest apart on a regular basis to check runout, I would steer clear of gears on an unstabilized crankshaft.


The newer style tensioners are miles ahead of the pre 06 Dyna 07 Touring, you hear of very few failed tensioners, unlike the old style. Also with the new style oil pumps the Baisly or Latus spring isn't needed, you have plenty of oil pressure without it. I played with the spring for awhile in both mine and my dads trikes, I ended up pulling them because they carried more oil pressure than needed. Without the spring his oil pressure will run 50 - 55, more than enough to keep the valve train as quiet as stock with the fast ramps of the Woods cams he's running.

I agree the inner cam bearings need changed from the Ina to the Torrington, the ina bearing is just a grenade waiting for someone to pull the pin.