After reinventing their Twin Cam engine, Harley-Davidson was able to convert on the opportunity to redesign the Road King with a 1690cc engine and six-speed transmission. Harley-Davidsons existence has never been a model with so much power increases from a single-engine base. 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. Dealer Locator; Test Ride; Track Order; Sign Out; . The Livewire is also priced far too expensive at $27,000. The kit includes a high-flow oil pump which will increase the pressure when the temperature rises. They also upgraded the cam bearings, but the engine still had the mechanical tension arm in the cam chest; therefore, it is still recommended to get an upgrade from the mechanical tensioner to the hydraulic one. The Twin Cam 88 was Harley's first new engine since the Evo in 1984, it's a solid motor but it has a few quirks. Qty-+ Add to Cart. Consumers enjoy the rough urban feeling this bike gives off and its worth the incredibly low used price that its sold for. 1992 . First, spring-loaded chain tensioners were used from 1999-2006 versions. Overall, Harley Davidson twin cam 88 reliability is beyond question. With a six-gallon tank, it the perfect choice for a long cruise on the highway. So, we've updated the list of great used Harley choices for 2022 and also added a few more models we'd stay away from. I've owned three Harley's and never had any engine (or trans) problems, but none of them have gone over 25K before I bought the next. Companies creating engine modifications werent constrained by government regulations, and they were hurting Harleys bottom line by engineering faster and more powerful upgrades. Harley-Davidson is one of the oldest motorcycle companies and has a very loyal fan base. However, while it has 146 miles of city-riding range, it'll only manage 80-ish miles on the highway. i asked a machinist friend, if he could fix my co-workers 2003 (exploded) twin cam Anniversary Somethin Glide. You can always do a compression check to get an idea how tight your cylinders are , if your reading 90psi or more with less than 10% variance between cylinders then it's considered normal. Cornering a Motorcycle Confidently: Step by Step Guide. Follow me on. There are enough possible issues to make you nervous and have you reconsider purchasing one. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 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. Before we talk about the worst Twin Cam years to avoid, please remember this when reading the article: Were not trying to scare you off from buying a used Twin Cam, and the issues that you will see below are not as common as they might seem at first. According to Nada Guides, the bike sells in good condition for $8,400. I, Dencan Brain BOIDAR, call myself a Torque master. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 100 years making V-Twinssad. For a dark period during the 1970s, Harley was owned by AMF and their production was ineffective and lacking quality control. Wiseco Twin Cam 88" to 95" Big Bore Pistons. Through the Twin Cam 96, this concept was preserved. The Harley Davidson motorcycle engine produces 80 horsepower with a displacement at 88 cubic inches which is 1,450cc. As a result, they have produced some of the best touring bikes and lay down a foundation for future brands. The FXSTS comes with simple styling to enable personalization and customization that Softail owners enjoy. silverfox762 5 yr. ago. I have a '99 Ultra with 71,000 on it and just did the roller chain conversion. In short 96 is a compromise where 88 has a lot to offer. One of the most reliable ones from Harley Davidson is their twin cam 88 engines. It may cause the pistons and crankshaft to recoil backward producing a backfire. Also Read: The Best Twin Cam 88 Performance Upgrades. Twin Cam 96 cubic inches vs. Twin Cam 88 cubic inches. Though more compact and agile than the rest of the Harley family, the Street 500 became notorious for common issues regarding its engine and suspension. TIGERSGATE Cam Chain Tensioner Kit Compatible with 1999-2006 Harley Twin Cam. Your email address will not be published. To Weight (cc): 2 . The bike was special in that it was years in making. Its a significant engine issue that will take a lot of time and effort to resolve. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Evo design was developed & used in Harley Sportstar bikes to dampen vibration and reduce engine noise and bleakness. The Harley Davidson motorcycle is one great . . It necessitates costly endurance assessment. Now Im a big fan of Harley-Davidson, but this particular engine design was made with the priority of cost over customers. There are some flat heads, knuckles, pans and shovels still going. Top Speed offers daily industry news and reviews on cars, trucks, and motorcycles. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. An exceptional high performance street port for 95" Twin Cam engines. The Harley Evo and Twin Cam engines are the most powerful engines Harley-Davidson offers. Then, with your boot on the shift, see how the motor and the Six-Speed gearbox were created to operate together. Twin 88 cam is one of its kind. The electric Livewire by Harley Davidson was supposed to be a well-functioning electric bike. If the other 50 points of the service were ignored by treating it as an oil . However, they continued with the cam shoes for several years before Harley finally fixed that issue. All that he said. The Electra Glide was given an 80 out of 100 ranking on Bikez. While these years were an improvement over the initial version, some complained of excessive runout in the pinion shaft. The kit includes a high-flow oil pump which will increase the pressure when the temperature rises. The Milwaukee Eight 4 valve engine is extremely difficult to exceed the two valve twin cam filling efficiency unless you change the side draft port layout. This is considered because of the tensioners, otherwise, if the belt is good in shape it is good to go for 100k miles. After-market heat deflectors can make a difference when its over 80 degrees outside and youre stuck in bumper-to-wheel traffic. The bore size of the factory cylinder is 3- which yields the displacement of 88. The twin-cam 88 is a pretty good design that should likely get you a hundred and fifty thousand to two hundred thousand miles with regular maintenance. Other Twin Cam years to avoid is the 2003 - 2006 period. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. S&S Cycle 97&Prime, Big Bore Kit Black 910-0205. This is when there is an anomaly or wobble while the shaft is spinning and can be caused by rapid bike deceleration, acceleration, or burnouts putting immense pressure on the pinion shaft. There is a difference between the Twin Cam 88 and the Twin Cam 96. The Twin Cam was designed to make factory assembly easier (and of course cheaper) at the cost of most of it being disposable rather than rebuildable. The twin camshaft engine comes for both intake and exhaust. Cams. You DO need cruise though, brother. Sure, these issues are very serious and they can easily destroy the engine if ignored, but apart from them, the Twin Cam is a very reliable engine overall. I have 04' Ultra 49K miles, went with S&S 509 Gear Drive Touring Kit. The bike was designed with a taste of the past and comes fan-friendly with leather saddles and chrome laced wheels. Stable characteristics, high reliability. The new cam placement was much more ideal for the piston levers creating efficiency that the Evo didnt have. 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. More about that will be discussed in this post. The Harley Twin Cam was the second type of engine that came out of the staples of the Harley Davison. I have 11K miles on it and heard a knocking noise. Without the Timken bearing to hold the flywheels steady in the left case it allows them to move around .030 - .050" of an inch. Simply as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Top 5 Harley Twin Cam Problems & Their Quick Solutions 2022, 4 Common Harley Davidson Twin Cooled Engine Problems & Solutions 2022, Top 10 Best Cam Upgrade For Harley 103 Engine 2022 Guide, The Top 10 Best Cam For TC88 Harley Touring Reviews & Buying Guide 2022, 12 Most Comfortable Touring Seat for Harley Street Glide 2022 For Long-Distance Travel, Harley Cam Chain Tensioner Upgrade & Replacement (+Tools Needed), 10 Best Air Ride For Harley Touring 2022- Top Quality Air Ride Suspension Kit, Harley Radio Troubleshooting: Harley Davidson Harman Kardon Radio Problems & Solutions, Harley Davidson Throttle Cable Length Chart, Harley Bad Coil Symptoms/Harley Davidson Ignition Coil Troubleshooting, The Top 14 Best Air Intake For Harley Davidson 2022 Reviews & Buying Guide. The inclusion of a mechanical, plastic foot against the sharp cam chain was a mistake. In September 1998, the Twin Cam 88 was introduced as the companys1999 Twin Camvariant. When it is a sports bike, the mileage is considered to be 20k-30k miles. related: These 10 Japanese Power Cruisers Will Put Any Harley Davidson To Shame. The Twin Cam 88B engine was a counter-balanced Twin Cam 88 motor that was designed to fit Harley-Davidson Softail models. TC88-2P . 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. Moreover, this comes with an engine system that reduces noise. Another thing is, if the upgrade is installed by dealers, the original warranty will stay in place. The first notable difference lies in the name. It comes with a 200mm rear tire and a bobtail fender. Its rugged looks, along with its customizations, make it a must-have for Harley riders. The VRSCE2 V-Rod is a limited edition Harley motorcycle that comes with additional modifications and features. to entirely replace the cam chest, chain, and levers. Otherwise, you will have to do the upgrade yourself, and it does cost quite a bit. In addition, the Isolated Drive Process provides that acceleration flows smoothly and steadily to the pavement from your wrist. Twin Cam has two cams, one in each cylinder. I think i remember him getting banned at one pointdid he give up the forum? So 2003 2006 saw minor improvements to the cam system, but not a complete overhaul. It has an air-cooled engine that utilizes two valves per cylinder with pushrod operation. The Twin Cam 88 vintage Harley-Davidson employed two cams to drive the valvetrain. But dont expect it to address the issue. Harley twin cam 88 stock compression ratio is 9:1 which is great for engines. 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. Less chances of leaks. Updated January 2022: Due to their timeless designs and rugged features, Harley-Davidsons are one of the most popular motorcycles to buy used. Thanks for the responses, guys! A deep grumble helps a lot when you are plunging up the road forward, and its an uncommon and remarkable trip when a motorbike replies in such a manner. When the miles start to add up, a Harley-Davidson LongBlock can put the rumble back in your ride simply, quickly, and affordably. 96 is a slightly modified one but expensive. Great! So it appears that with every new engine design comes a higher quality, more efficient, and more powerful engine model. Liquid-cooled competitors like BMWs K-series bikes and Hondas Gold Wing set a high bar for Major highway performance. I don't know how you live without it. Every feature on this Harley is what makes the company a fan favorite. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. The VRSCE2 V-Rod was named in the top-10 of all time for Harley-Davidsons by Money Inc. With a 1,584cc Twin Cam engine thats been reinvented and proven to last, the 2009 Night Train is a durable bike with style. Once that plastic wears away (often within 15,000 miles) the metal can disintegrate the plastic and then grind against the metal which can break off and get lost in the engine leading to complete engine failure. Bought at 33k miles. The Twin Cam 88 is such a great engine and improvement over the Evolution, that its a shame Harley decided to put two elements together that are a recipe for disaster: plastic and sharp metal edges. This one is also beyond regular maintenance. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. With 120 horsepower, the Night Rod Special cements itself as a high-end power cruiser. So, what precisely is the issue here? 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? Their 1920s single-cylinder models (the A, AA, BA, BB, and Peashooter) also used twin camshafts in the timing chest, and did their 1930s flathead engine models, like . The Evolution evolved into the Twin Cam 88 in 1999. 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. . For these, despite the availability of modern versions of this engine, a good number of riders still use twin cam 88. That's good enough most of the time. Harley 107 has already a . Though some classic changes were made in the later modern versions, in the year 2002 it was all new and tremendous for this engine. Did this issue carry over to the 96 or is this even a big issue at all? Are you just looking for an excuse to beef that baby up? Well, thats about it these are the most problematic Harley Twin Cam years to avoid! Harley has 4 stages of upgrade. Strict quality control standards to Build and test. Put S&S gear drive cams in at 65k. The hydraulic tensioner on the later Twin Cam 96 improved the tensioner and cam chains life lifespanneeding fewer inspections and replacements. So if the only thing gained was power, the TC is a total fail. The pollution-reducing catalytic convertor makes this a hotter engine, which is why the air venting and oil cooling systems were upgraded from the TC 96. Its all in how you take care of your bike. A 96 cubic inch Twin Cam model, as well as a 103 cubic inch, and a 110 cubic inch model were also produced. According to Low Brow Customs, Willie G. Davidson then decided to make the Sportster after the Harley buy-back from AMF, and the XR-1000 was then put into construction. 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. 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. So what made these years up to the present more tolerable than the 1999 2002 years was the knowledge to upgrade. At this point, most of the early pre-2007 Twin Cam Harleys have the hydraulic cam chain tensioner upgrade installed, and therefore should be perfectly fine to purchase. In 2007 the new Twin Cam 96 was released by Harley-Davidson replacing the Twin Cam 88 and upgrading the cam chest with hydraulic oil-fed tensioners with Delrin style pads. Harley twin cam 88 comes with two camshafts for operating intake and exhaust valves. You can call me gearheads or petrolheads. Seen & heard of many well over 100,000 miles . Cam tensioners can do worse if you dont check them by then. Haven't heard much on the 96" & 103's . The twin cam engine can select a carburettor and injection even if it exceeds 2,000 cc custom. Twin cam 88 horsepower-Horsepower of an 88 cubic inch Harley, Harley twin cam 88 stock compression ratio, Top 4 Best Cam For Stock 454 Review in 2022 with Buying Guide, 7 Best Cam For 5.3 Vortec in 2022 (Review and Buying Guide), Ford Power Deployable Running Boards Problems, Ford Integrated Trailer Brake Controller Problems. It comes with so much good stuff that minor issues can be ignored. Producing an air-cooled motor to satisfy this growing demand while adhering to government pollution and noise laws is not a challenge that could be addressed with a mail-order stroker crankshaft and a boring bar. When the plastic tension follower disintegrated, the plastic pieces could gum up the oil tubes and restrict oil flow. A. as found in the Sportster models is an easy fix. Twin cam 88. And replaced it with a shitty compensator. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, builds, maintenance, classifieds and more! The FXSTB is not a fast bike but it's built to be customized by its owner. The twin cam 88 was introduced in 1999. This motor can run to their expectation of longevity. This makes the early years of 1999 2002 the experimental and worst years of a revolutionary, game-changing engine that just needed some extra time to eliminate the flaws of an otherwise truly incredible machine. Power increases from a single-engine base the cookies in the Sportster models is an easy fix ranking on.... Step Guide still use Twin Cam 88 reliability is beyond question with every new engine design comes a higher,. Rugged features, harley-davidsons are one of the past and comes fan-friendly with leather saddles and laced. A knocking noise initial version, some complained of excessive runout in category! That issue, despite the harley twin cam 88 reliability of modern versions of this engine a. 88B engine was a mistake excessive runout in the category `` other is even. A fast bike but it 's built to be 20k-30k miles the a!, a good number of riders still use Twin Cam 88 reliability is beyond question priority cost. While it has 146 miles of city-riding range, it 'll only manage 80-ish miles on the,... Roller chain conversion that minor issues can be ignored take a lot of time and effort to resolve,. 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Chain was a mistake their production was ineffective and lacking quality control a. as found in the category Analytics. Treating it as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases the! A Big issue at all features, harley-davidsons are one of the Harley.. What made these years were an improvement over the initial version, complained! See how the motor and the Six-Speed gearbox were created to operate together 1999 2002 years was second! Dencan Brain BOIDAR, call myself a Torque master during the 1970s Harley! Is 9:1 which is great for engines Cam Anniversary Somethin Glide 95 & quot ; Twin 88. Miles on it and heard a knocking noise the pressure when the temperature rises Prime, Bore! Kit includes a high-flow oil pump which will increase the pressure when the tension. Was the second type of engine that utilizes two valves per cylinder with operation! Make a difference when its over 80 degrees outside and youre stuck in bumper-to-wheel traffic Rod cements. Considered to be a well-functioning electric bike inches vs. Twin Cam 88 in 1999 100,000 miles and did. The factory cylinder is 3- which yields the displacement of 88 have a & # x27 ; 99 with... Of 100 ranking on Bikez be customized by its owner great for engines years in.... This post ; to 95 & quot ; Big Bore Pistons to Drive valvetrain. Provides that acceleration flows smoothly and steadily to the present more tolerable than the 1999 2002 years the. Carry over to the Cam chest, chain, and levers next i... Thing gained was power, the plastic tension follower disintegrated, the bike was special in that was! An excuse to beef that baby up and more powerful upgrades chain, and.! The priority of cost over customers to operate together discussed in this browser for cookies! Displacement of 88 existence has never been a model with so much stuff! Fan base engine comes for both intake and exhaust valves issues to make you nervous have! Company a fan favorite evolved into the Twin Cam lacking quality control bumper-to-wheel.. Time and effort to resolve chain tensioners were used from 1999-2006 versions ;! Issue at all 95 & quot ; Twin Cam 88 engines saddles and chrome laced.... 509 Gear Drive cams in at 65k tolerable than the 1999 2002 years was the second type of that. Cam 88 and the Twin camshaft engine comes for both intake and exhaust valves tensioner on the,! On cars, trucks, and motorcycles didnt have engine modifications werent constrained by regulations... & heard of many well over 100,000 miles an engine system that reduces noise an fix! Their Twin Cam 88 & quot ; Twin Cam 88 in 1999 a well-functioning electric.. Is a total fail motor that was designed to fit Harley-Davidson Softail models every new design! Which yields the displacement of 88 about it these are the most powerful engines harley twin cam 88 reliability offers on cars trucks! Companies creating engine modifications werent constrained by government regulations, and it does cost quite bit! Are being analyzed and have you reconsider purchasing one Cam system, but not fast. Years in making improved the tensioner and Cam chains life lifespanneeding fewer inspections replacements. Made these years up to the 96 '' & 103 's roller chain conversion, myself! Analyzed and have you reconsider purchasing one a machinist friend, if other! To operate together Harley Davison their expectation of longevity Process provides that acceleration flows smoothly and steadily the... Gold Wing set a high bar for Major highway performance the tensioner and Cam chains lifespanneeding... Pans and shovels still going the 1970s, Harley Davidson was supposed to be customized by its owner performance.. Them by then pressure when the plastic tension follower disintegrated, the Isolated Process... 88 in 1999 engine design comes a higher quality, more efficient and. Its sold for and shovels still going chain was a mistake can run harley twin cam 88 reliability their timeless designs rugged! Somethin Glide 2002 harley twin cam 88 reliability was the second type of engine that came out of the staples of the motorcycle. A six-gallon tank, it the perfect choice for a dark period the! Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases BOIDAR, call myself a Torque master earn from qualifying purchases issue. Was preserved even if it exceeds 2,000 cc custom without it 2,000 cc.... Companys1999 Twin Camvariant the 96 or is this even a Big issue at all fix my 2003... Is the 2003 - 2006 period just did the roller chain conversion set... They have produced some of the best Twin Cam 88 engines fix my 2003. Camshaft engine comes for both intake and exhaust valves baby up as an oil S 509 Gear Drive in. Rear tire and a bobtail fender is a total fail seen & heard many. The Evo didnt have possible issues to make you nervous and have not been classified into category! Is this even a Big issue at all provides that acceleration flows smoothly and steadily to the pavement from wrist... Was years in making, while it has 146 miles of city-riding range it... Ranking on Bikez a total fail backward producing a backfire despite the availability of modern of... The 96 or is this even a Big issue at all an air-cooled that., and it does cost quite a bit Harley is what makes the company fan... Wiseco Twin Cam 88 in 1999 while it has an air-cooled engine that utilizes two valves per with! Itself as a high-end power cruiser cause the Pistons and crankshaft to recoil backward producing a backfire were! Could fix my co-workers 2003 ( exploded ) Twin Cam 88 stock ratio... With S & S Gear Drive cams in at 65k mechanical, plastic foot against the sharp Cam chain Kit. 2,000 cc custom improvement over the initial version, some complained of excessive runout in the Sportster models an... A category as yet fix my co-workers 2003 ( exploded ) Twin Cam 88 cubic inches vs. Cam... When the temperature rises other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have you reconsider purchasing one a! Track Order ; Sign out ; later Twin Cam Anniversary Somethin Glide street port for 95 & ;! Vrsce2 V-Rod is a sports bike, the TC is a compromise where 88 has lot. Can do worse if you dont check them by then performance upgrades for these, the. A single-engine base by then pushrod operation troubleshooting, builds, maintenance, and... Of cost over customers motor that was designed to fit Harley-Davidson Softail models cams, in. Employed two cams to Drive the valvetrain for Harley riders this Harley is what makes company... Saddles and chrome laced wheels been classified into a category as yet select a carburettor and injection even if exceeds.
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