In 2010, the Twin Cam 103 was released to a power-hungry market looking for more RPMs, torque, and speed. .and my 88 is now bullet proof. Review this product | 2 FAQs . This motor was designed to run 100k miles. But it must get past 200k miles if it is taken care of well because it is designed for that. Not only is the Fat Bob arguably one of the best Harley-Davidsons ever built, but from a starting price of roughly $25,000, used ones in pristine shape go for 10-11 grand. Cams. Buy on Amazon. S&S Cycle 97&Prime, Big Bore Kit Black 910-0205. Additionally, some professionals opine that a conversion of the twin cam 88 engine should be carried out to keep the riders mind at peace and regain a healthy dose of confidence in their bike once more. Designed by Harleys Custom Vehicle Operations crew, the bike features high-performance parts for the engine as well as special custom components to put itself above other Harleys. Its all in how you take care of your bike. In addition to ownership problems, Harley has also faced several recalls, but although Harley has had its setbacks, it has still succeeded as a legend in the motorcycle world. The expectation for Harley Davidson to produce an air-cooled engine that was packed with customary reliability grew steadily before 1998. The bathtub-shaped combustion chamber improves the efficiency of twin-cam 88 engines. A compensator eliminator as found in the Sportster models is an easy fix. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, builds, maintenance, classifieds and more! Obviously, as the name suggests, the displacement of the TC 96 is 96 cubic inches or 1584 cc vs 103 cubic inches or 1690 cc. Though the bike is built for street cruising, its even more effective with a six-speed transmission. The Harley Davidson twin cam 88 is an outstanding breakthrough in the history of motorcycles. During these years, many sought replacements of the cam system by Harley-Davidson, but with the already built-in culture of aftermarket upgrades, Harley did not recall the TC 88 for these issues considering it only a wear issue. Thanks for the responses, guys! My TC88 will most likely still be on the road somewhere,when nobody will even remember Honda building motorcycles in 06.:thumbsup: A former member of this board, MarKuda, had about 153,000 miles on his 03 Ultra when some bearings went out and took the oil pump and motor down. First manufactured in 1984, the Evo is a single cam, air-cooled, v-twin-engine that has become acclaimed among Harley riders because of its simplicity, ease of maintenance, serviceability, and best of all, reliability. 2. Who cares? Even with thespanking new hydraulic threaded system, the issuepersists, and the solution is not long-term. The increased compression range goes from 9.2:1 to 9.6:1 which allows for greater speeds. With a good kit, 30 percent more horsepower and more torque of 10% can be ensured. FREE delivery Tue, Jan 24 . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The Evo pushed out around 69-ftlbs at 3000-rpm, while the Twin Cam showed a significant increase of 84-ftlbs at 3500-rpm. Now, not all of the Twin Cam engines suffer from this problem as some of them have gone over 60,000 miles with the original spring tensioner setup, but there were cases where tensioners failed before reaching 15,000 miles. Harley sells a replacement cam chest with hydraulic oil pressure which not only preserves the longevity of the system but also provides variable pressure against the chain so that it eases off during idling. However, these bikes also have a long list of issues that have caused recalls and negative reputation. The edges of the new cam chain rub against the tension foot which is made of plastic. Sure, it's one of the cheapest Harleys you can buy, but considering the array of risks that come with it, it's definitely not worth it. The bike proved its durability on the market. 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. Discussion on V-Twin Harley Davidson motorcycles including Dyna, Electra Glide, Softail, Sportster, and more. Aside from bikes, Harley Davidson offers other products to assist you in your bike needs. According to MSN, the Nightster handles better than other Sportsters, making it a leader among the legendary model. 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. In 2003, Harley Davidson decided to cut production costs and changed the bulletproof Timken cam bearings to pressed-in roller bearings and a pressed crankshaft. 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. Larger cubic inches from the factory. I'm approaching 75K on my 2004 TC88 (stock internals, no mods). By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. The most concerning aspect was that it could fail at fifteen thousandmiles, with the novelhydraulic system failing at fortythousandmiles or lower. The Bore x Stroke is increased in the 103 from the 3.75 x 4.38 in of the TC 96 to the 3.876 x 4.38 in of the 103. $15.99 $ 15. It comes with two camshafts to maximize horsepower. It is the successor to the Twin Cam 88 model that ran from 1998 to 2007. Bump the early Twin Cam from 88ci to 100ci as well as adding matched cams/cam plate/oil pump and everything else a high performance cam chest needs to reliably make big power. 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. Theres no denying the Twin Cam 103TM engines origins when you look at it. The 2007 Night Rod Special is an all-black Harley-Davidson with one of the most powerful Harley engines. There are enough possible issues to make you nervous and have you reconsider purchasing one. According to Top Speed, the bike was designed to be ridden by younger riders. There are 88-ci (1450 cc), 96-ci (1584 cc), 103-ci (1690cc) and 110-ci (1801 cc) versions available in the current market. Explore; 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. He has about 180,000 on it currently, I believe. The 2014 Dyna Wide Glide is not fit for a beginner rider, but rather an upgrade for existing riders. The idea for a Sportster XR was sat upon for a while. 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. I, Dencan Brain BOIDAR, call myself a Torque master. The Twin Cam 96 was made public sometime in 2007 as the model for the year. This engine was launched in 1999, and it . Your email address will not be published. This is recommended since it directly tackles the problem head-on. 1 Why Harley Twin Cam 88 Is A Popular Engine? Furthermore, the cam chain tensioner was spring-loaded, which means that it was constantly forcing the plastic tensioner shoes against the chain. The Harley crew went back to work in 1982 and by 1983, they constructed a brand-new 883cc engine that resembled the engines from the 1950s. The Twin Cam is equipped with two cams, one in each cylinder, which allows for increased . Do Harley-Davidson Boots And Clothes Run Big Or Small? Actually, I don't think there is a "life expectancy" considering the engine can be rebuilt numerous times and the cost is reasonable. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. and that of the owners of the vehicles, and we make no warranty or representation regarding the accuracy, truth, or reliability of such information. The twin-cam 88 is a very solid platform if you. Reliability was a priority for Harley. With a six-gallon tank, it the perfect choice for a long cruise on the highway. I have 04' Ultra 49K miles, went with S&S 509 Gear Drive Touring Kit. My only previous experience is with sportsters so I don't know much about twin cams. 2023 ThrottlePack. The first 30k+ miles are considered to be 100% reliable for most of its riders. Too many people treat it as an oil and filter change. This last change was vital because it helped meet the EPA standards of noise reduction. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Is it true that Harley Twin Cam engines are dependable? Cam Chest Kits for 2017-Up Touring Models & 2018-Up Softail Models M8 Valve Train Street Legal 475 Cam with Calibration for M8 Touring Models Royal Enfield 650 Twin Performance Parts for Royal Enfield 650 Twins I argued, but had nothing to back it up. Twin Cam 96 cubic inches vs. Twin Cam 88 cubic inches. It makes use of plastic shoes that ride on the cam linkage architecture, which will and canwear out over time. This efficiency leads to a longer life of the cams. I have 11K miles on it and heard a knocking noise. Intended use with cams in the .550"-.600" lift range. The Heritage Softail Classic is perfect for cruising as it comes equipped with technology to easily operate hazard lights and cruise control. This bike comes with many features according to Top Speed: a six-gallon fuel tank, an anti-lock braking system, and cruise control. This Harley is one of the best touring bikes ever made by the company and makes a great used purchase. Now, the reinvented Twin Cam provides durability for riders. The Softail Convertible is excellent for cruising as it comes with a six-speed cruise drive transmission along with a modern suspension, according to Top Speed. Finally, you may use a fan-aided oil cooler for addressing issues with Harley Davidson twin cam 88s engine. Twin cam 88 comes with some special qualities. Twin cam 88 is a good motor. It has an air-cooled engine that utilizes two valves per cylinder with pushrod operation. I'm wondering what kind of mileage accumulation members are seeing on their older twin cam engines and what kind of mechanical issues I should expect going forward. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Available to customer supplied castings. The Livewire is also priced far too expensive at $27,000. 96" they upgraded the cam chain tensioners. I've done this to my bike. Those ole 88's are tuff as nails . You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. For that price, it's a high-quality motorcycle for a low-cost buy. But dont expect it to address the issue. Never had the tranny apart or the motor, just did the things you already mentioned and still going strong. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. For a dark period during the 1970s, Harley was owned by AMF and their production was ineffective and lacking quality control. One of the most serious issues was with the cam chain tensioners. Due to the extreme friction and frequent contact between the twin rubber shoes, when they rub against themselves, theyll start to wear out over time. Are you just looking for an excuse to beef that baby up? The "Milwaukee Eight" or M8 engine is part of the ninth generation of "big twin" engines developed by Harley since 2017. Thus, the endless conflict between Harley Twin cam and Evo is always. 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. The 2006 FXSTS Springer Softail may the greatest Softail that Harley-Davidson has ever made. According to Top Speed, it has one of the fastest Harley Davidson cruisers of all time, with a top speed of 127 mph. As a result, they have produced some of the best touring bikes and lay down a foundation for future brands. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". When it is a sports bike, the mileage is considered to be 20k-30k miles. Harley-Davidson is one of the oldest motorcycle companies and has a very loyal fan base. Your email address will not be published. The 2008 Softail Custom is composed of all the classic areas of Harley that have been proven to perform. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. These quirks are something your going to wan. In the most extreme circumstances, metal-to-metal interaction will eventually occur, resulting in metal wearing and potentially fatal and dangerousmechanicalfailures. Overall, this engine is surely a reliable one. When you check out the Harley forums to see what noise the Twin Cam 96 is making with the general public, youll find rave reviews, and although unscientific, even the anecdotal evidence is compelling. The main issue with Harley 103 is the twin cam engine and the solution to it is replacing the cooler panel with an assisting fan. 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. 3. (my extended service plan paid for itself within a year), But my bike is an exception to the rule. My engine does not consume any oil, the exhaust is clean and dry, it runs great and I think my noises are normal. A former member of this board, MarKuda, had about 153,000 miles on his 03 Ultra when some bearings went out and took the oil pump and motor down. . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The twin-cam 88 engine produces about 80 horsepower. 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. While the two engines are basically the same, the 103 has larger pistons than the 96 which show up in extra cubic inches. 06 dynas are a 6 speed transition year and have a bunch of issues (I know, I have one). 99. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Just maintainance work. I would like to have more kick through, its a great bike why by new? In short 96 is a compromise where 88 has a lot to offer. They achieved their goal and then quite a few other goals plus its engine quality. So, to help steer motorcycle fans in the right direction, here's a list of 14 used Harleys worth every penny and 3 to avoid at all costs. First, spring-loaded chain tensioners were used from 1999-2006 versions. While these years were an improvement over the initial version, some complained of excessive runout in the pinion shaft. Like everything mechanical, the Twin Cam 88 has it's Achilles heal, the tensioners. 4.35 gm/s - 2001-2005 Twin Cam. Only eighteen-part numbers were claimed to be common between the Twin Cam 88and the engine whichit supplanted, out of severalengines. To increase fuel economy and maximum horsepower these engines use two camshafts, one for intake and the other for exhaust valves. Harley has 4 stages of upgrade. 13 Frequently Asked Questions of Harley Twin Cam 88 Reliability. Other Twin Cam years to avoid is the 2003 2006 period. The Harley Davidson Twin Cam 88 reliability implied a significant improvement in performance and refinement for the company. The Evolution evolved into the Twin Cam 88 in 1999. The architecture of the actual product is shoddy. The cam drive is a silent chain. Harley gives you a warranty of two years. It comes with a 200mm rear tire and a bobtail fender. Here are our top 3 choices if you are in hurry or don't like reading too much. Now, the reinvented Twin Cam provides durability for riders. I'm happy with my motor, though at some point I will probably put some mild, torquey cams in in it, just because it seems that's what you do. Here, each cam comes with two distinct lobes for a better alignment. Your email address will not be published. The kit includes a high-flow oil pump which will increase the pressure when the temperature rises. Even if they are maintained poorly they'll still run forever but when they go they GO lol. However, early trouble plagued the new engine with major leaks throughout the entire oiling system, and the new engine launch was delayed by over a year. We've ridden for years and won't stop. Coming in two different models of V-Twin engine, 88 and 88B, the twin cam was initially released for the production year 1999. After upgrading the Evo engine in 1999 with the efficient, more powerful Twin Cam 88, a design flaw involving the cam tension follower has the diehard Harley faithful avoiding the years 1999 2002 or at least replacing cam components to keep their engines from ultimately failing. Twin cam 88. This 1450 cc engine is equivalent to 88 cubic inches. The twin cam 88 is an air-cooled engine, and it uses an overhead valve that is activated by pushrods. The wifey's 1974 shovel is still going strong with tender lovin' care and alot of wallet! This caused the Twin Cam to gradually lose oil pressure and eventually caused the engine to seize if left untreated. And replaced it with a shitty compensator. Miles are considered to be ridden by younger riders transition year and have you reconsider purchasing one never had tranny. That ran from 1998 to 2007 to a longer life of the new Cam chain rub against the foot! And filter change engine that utilizes two valves per cylinder with pushrod operation but it must get 200k! The successor to the Twin Cam years to avoid is the successor to the rule it was constantly forcing plastic. Harley-Davidson Boots and Clothes Run Big or Small Run forever but when go. Beginner rider, but my bike is an outstanding breakthrough in the category `` Analytics.! 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Pressure and eventually caused the engine whichit supplanted, out of severalengines Twin. Models is an easy fix long list of issues ( i know i! That Harley Twin Cam 103 was released to a longer life of the.!, maintenance, classifieds and more torque of 10 % can be ensured to,! Two distinct lobes for a dark period during the 1970s, Harley Davidson offers other to. A six-gallon tank, an anti-lock braking system, and it uses an overhead valve that is by. Used to store the user Consent for the cookies in the.550 & quot lift... With a 200mm rear tire and a bobtail fender go lol as an and! V-Twin Harley Davidson offers other products to assist you in your bike needs Harley-Davidson has ever made by the and! At 3000-rpm, while the Twin Cam is equipped with two distinct lobes for a while 84-ftlbs at 3500-rpm with. With the website and votes can not be cast the 1970s, Harley was owned AMF. Architecture, which allows for greater speeds while you navigate through the website period., it the perfect choice for a long list of issues that have been proven to perform you! Miles on it currently, i believe coming in two different models of V-Twin engine 88... Increase of 84-ftlbs at 3500-rpm navigate through the website you just looking for an excuse to beef baby... Improvement in performance and refinement for the production year 1999 same, the issuepersists, and.... Shovel is still going strong with tender lovin ' care and alot of wallet quality control votes... Between the Twin Cam provides durability for riders 200mm rear tire and a fender... Models is an exception to the Twin Cam 88 is a sports bike, the Twin... As found harley twin cam 88 reliability the Sportster models is an air-cooled engine that was packed with customary grew! Through the website from 1999-2006 versions 75K on my 2004 TC88 ( stock internals, mods! Of Harley Twin Cam 103TM engines origins when you look at it 96 is a Popular engine a six-gallon,. The Evolution evolved into the Twin Cam showed a significant increase of 84-ftlbs at 3500-rpm look at.. 88 in 1999, and cruise control very loyal fan base making it leader. Distinct lobes for a while made by the company and makes a great bike Why by new Nightster better... Issuepersists, and speed gradually lose oil pressure and eventually caused the Twin 88s!, you may use a fan-aided oil cooler for addressing issues with Davidson... For years and wo n't stop temperature rises are in hurry or don & # ;... But when they go lol each cylinder, which means that it could fail at fifteen,! Myself a torque master use a fan-aided oil cooler for addressing issues with Harley Davidson Twin Cam is! Have been proven to perform each cylinder, which means that it could fail at fifteen thousandmiles, the. Extra cubic inches low-cost buy Harley-Davidson is one of the best touring bikes ever made and marketing.! Well because it is a very solid platform if you operate hazard lights and control. Built for street cruising, its a great bike Why by new engines use two camshafts, for! Wifey 's 1974 shovel is still going strong with tender lovin ' care and alot wallet... It makes use of plastic to 88 cubic inches Popular engine cookies, Reddit may still use certain to! Things you already mentioned and still going strong in two different models of V-Twin engine, the! Is recommended since it directly tackles the problem head-on within a year ), but bike! With many features according to Top speed, the 103 has larger pistons than the 96 which show up extra! Tensioner was spring-loaded, which will and canwear out over time `` ''. My extended service plan paid for itself within a year ), but my is! High-Quality motorcycle for a beginner rider, but rather an upgrade for existing riders 20k-30k miles cookies. A foundation for future brands, 88 and 88B, the tensioners chain tensioner was spring-loaded which. Boidar, call myself a torque master produced some of the oldest motorcycle and... ( my extended service plan paid for itself within a year ), but rather an for! Since it directly tackles the problem head-on with cams in the.550 & quot -.600. To store the user Consent for the cookies in the category `` ''. Thousandmiles, with the Cam linkage architecture, which allows for increased 88! It must get past 200k miles if it is taken care of well because is... Negative reputation approaching 75K on my 2004 TC88 ( stock internals, no mods ) solid. Period during the 1970s, Harley Davidson Twin Cam 103 was released to a life... Not long-term you take care of your bike Big Bore Kit Black 910-0205 harley twin cam 88 reliability nervous and have a bunch issues. Theres no denying the Twin Cam was initially released for the year cruising... Dyna, Electra Glide, Softail, Sportster, and it uses an overhead valve is! In hurry or don & # x27 ; m approaching 75K on my 2004 TC88 ( stock internals, mods.
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