If you take good care, engines run for as long as you want usually. You can call me gearheads or petrolheads. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I've read about some twin cams going for 100K+ without rebuilds, but I think that the correct answer to the question of life expectancy is about 60 years. For example, a hydraulic tensioner may be installed on both the Twin Cam 88 and the Twin Cam 96. silverfox762 5 yr. ago. In stock. What happened to MarKuda? Another mastery by the Custom Vehicles Operations crew at Harley, the 2012 CVO Softail Convertible is a limited-production motorcycle that comes with a powerful V-Twin engine. A compensator eliminator as found in the Sportster models is an easy fix. 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. The engine system of the Harley Davidson twin cam is a competent and secure one. This was accomplished through a catalytic converter and electronic fuel injectors. The Best Twin Cam 88 Performance Upgrades. Bought at 33k miles. 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. There are several ways to address the problem from a simple tensioner replacement, to the roller . Harley-Davidsons existence has never been a model with so much power increases from a single-engine base. Again, higher-quality parts with harder metals could have prevented some of these run-out issues. Its all in how you take care of your bike. In case anyone suspects any kind of damage in the motor, a compression test must be done before disassembling. This model was named for the two chain-driven cams it contains. According to Nada Guides, it costs $12,000. The 81 Sportster was featured by Thought Co as one of the worst handling motorcycles of all time. Lol As stated above, I think you will be fine if you're doing normal PM. The spring tensioner on the early Twin Cam 96 and late Twin Cam 88 caused premature degradation on the twin-cam chain and shoe and, necessitating inspections every twelve thousand miles and, in most cases, tensioner and chain replacement at around thirty thousand miles. The cam drive is a silent chain. For all the good reasons this one is good. 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. A. as found in the Sportster models is an easy fix. 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. The problem with the new bottom end is the weak spot between the crank pin and the flywheels. 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. Qty-+ Add to Cart. The 2002 version came with axles and Delphi. When it comes to reliability, both engines are excellent. According to Nada Guides, the bike sells in good condition for $8,400. Just be sure to do your due diligence when buying a used Harley, and you should be fine. Another important measure to consider when buying a Harley with a Twin Cam engine, especially from the early years, is to invest in better oils for your bike. At least 200,000 miles, and maybe 500,000 if properly maintained and not mistreated. Without the Timken bearing to hold the flywheels steady in the left case it allows them to move around .030 - .050" of an inch. 96" they upgraded the cam chain tensioners. And that explains why the Harley twin cam 88s is a popular option amongst the fleet of different options in the market. This engine produces up to 100 ft lbs. A forum community dedicated to all Harley-Davidson model owners and enthusiasts. Now, while a 10% increase doesn't seem huge, you can . So youre thinking of buying a Harley-Davidson with a Twin Cam engine? 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 Evo pushed out around 69-ftlbs at 3000-rpm, while the Twin Cam showed a significant increase of 84-ftlbs at 3500-rpm. Another reason for twin cam 88 to be popular. 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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. This displacement is a remarkable and better version than other engines as it allows greater horsepower. The 2007 Sportster Nightster is one of the best Harley bikes ever made and includes all the rugged features of the legendary motorcycle company. The gear-driven, central, single-cam was supplanted by two chain-driven cams, one positioned at the base of each of the cylinders, to make things appreciably quiet and augment the geometry of the pushrod. When we will compare the reliability between Harley 103 and 107, it will always be Harley 107 which will prevail every time. . peak torque, an increase of approximately 6 percent over the Twin Cam 96 engine it replaces as standard power for many of these models. Who cares? The Twin Cam 88 vintage Harley-Davidson employed two cams to drive the valvetrain. This engine comes with a dual coil system so that no spark gets wasted. Dyna TC88 Digital Performance Ignition for 1995-2003 Harley-Davidson Twin Cam Carb Models (Programmable) SKU. Other Twin Cam years to avoid is the 2003 - 2006 period. We . It has a unique sense of style and therefore, it only comes in three colors. This problem is definitely much rarer than the camshaft chain tensioner failure in pre-2007 Twin Cam, but it is still something to be aware of if youre considering buying a used 03-06 Twin Cam Harley. Twin 88 cam is one of its kind. The Knucklehead, Flathead, Shovelhead, Panhead, Twin Cam 88, Evolution, and Twin Cam 96TM engines have all advanced, but the heritage of the Knucklehead, Flathead, Shovelhead, Panhead, Twin Cam 88, Evolution, and Twin Cam 96TM engines has not. So even though youre still spending on costly oils, you still have a less expensive option than opting for a total overhauling of the gear drive. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. More about that will be discussed in this post. 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. Tools Bible is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon properties. $58.99 $ 58. The 96 switched to hydro tensioners, which are far more reliable. V-Twin Harley Davidson forum. Another specialty of this engine is that it comes with one cam for the cylinders each. Also Read: The Best Twin Cam 88 Performance Upgrades. Its not that you should completely skip over these problematic years; with the right mods, the Twin Cam 88 engine can be retro-fitted and essentially fixed to make your Harley roar with torque, speed, performance, and most of all safety. The fundamental issue with the Harley-Davidson Twin Cam engine is most likely a design flaw in itscam chain structure. 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, 85 FXR, 48 Pan, 69 Shovel, 08 Road King, 77 Shovel, 1984 FXRT, 1994 FXLR, 1978 Electra Glide, 2006 Fatboy. The chain balancer reduces vibration but is not well designed for larger, modern engines, especially at start-up. Of course, not every engine is perfect, and the Twin Cam 96 had some piston recoil issues with smoke blowing out of the air filter. 96 is a slightly modified one but expensive. The 2008 Softail Custom is composed of all the classic areas of Harley that have been proven to perform. . If it is upgraded to stage 2, the rev limit will be increased to 6400 rpm which is for mid-range horsepower. The new models also offer bearingless bushing style cams which eliminated the chain tension problems created by worn cam-plate bearings. hah yeah I go by my service manual and there is a helluva lot more to them than the oil and filter. There are a few Twim Cam years that you may want to avoid. The tensioners were shot, especially the primary, but the engine ran fine. 2010 2016: The Best Years for the Twin Cam 103. concerning the heat coming off this engine, most are completely satisfied. The additional power is delivered more smoothly than ever before due to the ultralight piston technology. Cam tensioners can do worse if you dont check them by then. A 2006 FXSTS Softail with about 30,000 miles costs around $10,000, according to Nada Guides. Several companies have made an aftermarket cam gear kit to entirely replace the cam chest, chain, and levers. Cornering a Motorcycle Confidently: Step by Step Guide. To Weight (cc): 2 . My buddy did the same mod on his . The first notable use of this design was on the '8-Valve' OHV V-twin racing models in 1915. . If one wishes to put on miles, they should extend the warranty without any hesitation. Machined conditioning fin ends and finished rocker plates complement the black powder-coated cylinders andheads. It also arrives at a slower cruising speed, resulting in a smoother ride, reduced engine noise, and improved motorway fuel economy. If the other 50 points of the service were ignored by treating it as an oil . 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. 2003 2006: Improved But Suspect Years of the Twin Cam, 2007 2009: Good Years for the Twin Cam 96, Of course, not every engine is perfect, and the Twin Cam 96 had some piston recoil issues with smoke blowing out of the air filter. Twin Cam has two cams, one in each cylinder. The oil cooler features a controlled fan that provides a continuous flow of cooling air, thus helping your engines cool down and reduce the wearing of the plastic shoes. JavaScript is disabled. Benjamin believes that nothing clears the mind faster than flying 26 inches above the asphalt on his Harley-Davison. . And replaced it with a shitty compensator. The bathtub-shaped combustion chamber improves the efficiency of twin-cam 88 engines. The year 1998 saw Harley Davison launch the Twin Cam engine, with 88 cubic inches for its 1999 model year. Almost every aspect of the engine changed; in fact, only 18 original parts were shared with the Evo. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, builds, maintenance, classifieds and more! The novel engine was also expected to comply with federal requirements regarding emissions and noise. These, though, were small potatoes. The Sportster is one of the cheapest Harleys ever, yet it's still plenty cool. Gear installations for the Twin Cam 88 and Twin Cam 96 if your crankshaft and cam run out are within specification. After-market heat deflectors can make a difference when its over 80 degrees outside and youre stuck in bumper-to-wheel traffic. Otherwise, you will have to do the upgrade yourself, and it does cost quite a bit. Through the Twin Cam 96, this concept was preserved. In all. If its checked and changed then it is great in the long run. There is a difference between the Twin Cam 88 and the Twin Cam 96. The 998cc engine from the XR-1000 was an extension of the engine that became a blast from the past. Harley-Davidson is one of the oldest motorcycle companies and has a very loyal fan base. Don't sweat it..I saw the original crosshatching machine work on the inside of a cylinder at 100k miles.installed new rings and kept going. Its rugged looks, along with its customizations, make it a must-have for Harley riders. Just picked this girl up. The Evolution evolved into the Twin Cam 88 in 1999. Even with thespanking new hydraulic threaded system, the issuepersists, and the solution is not long-term. The engine can have different horsepower too depending on the motorcycles it is in. Feel the low-end torque released when you rev up the Twin Cam 88engine. The hydraulic nature of the tensioner placed less tension when at lower RPMs, and a lighter preload was placed on the chain. Here, each cam comes with two distinct lobes for a better alignment. 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. 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. Best Choice. One of the best purchases Ive ever made. It has an air-cooled engine that utilizes two valves per cylinder with pushrod operation. 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. It is expected to run 200k miles at least if it is used properly and taken care of. General Motorcycle NON-TECHNICAL Discussion, The only thing better than riding, is riding with friends, Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both., The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo, http://www.firebladezone.com/lucassen.php?nommenu=Sjaak Lucassen, Harley Davidson Evolution and Twin Cam Touring, VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Harley-Davidson embarked oncreatinga robust engine that could withstand future power increases with itsTwin Cam. The bike proved its durability on the market. So it makes sense to check out the engine before purchasing it. 99. The expectation for Harley Davidson to produce an air-cooled engine that was packed with customary reliability grew steadily before 1998. The year 2006 was a transitory year in terms of complying with twin cam 88 specifications. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Buy on Amazon. 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. Updated January 2022: Due to their timeless designs and rugged features, Harley-Davidsons are one of the most popular motorcycles to buy used. Therere several gear systems that you can utilize to directly solve the problems. Thinking about pulling the trigger on my first Harley Don't Drive Past The Chain Control Station. Though a modern one 96 is not even equal to 88 on some grounds. 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. It is considered the golden year for some reasons. Now, the reinvented Twin Cam provides durability for riders. Harley Cooling is an effective way to help your twin cam engine. If the other 50 points of the service were ignored by treating it as an oil and filter change, it could be a bike with problems already starting. I don't know about 40 year old Hondas, but there are a bunch of 300,000 mi ones on the road. So, what precisely is the issue here? Twin cams are surely good engines because of the shape of combustion chambers. Too many people treat it as an oil and filter change. , only 18 original parts were shared with the new models also offer bearingless bushing style cams which eliminated chain. And changed then it is great in the Sportster models is an easy fix a blast from the.... The bathtub-shaped combustion chamber improves the efficiency of twin-cam 88 engines but is not well designed larger. From the XR-1000 was an extension of the cheapest Harleys ever, yet it 's still plenty cool be... Option to opt-out of these cookies with Twin Cam engine, with 88 cubic inches for its model! 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My service manual and there is a popular option amongst the fleet different... Cam 96. silverfox762 5 yr. ago expectation for Harley riders be installed on both the Cam! Performance Ignition for 1995-2003 Harley-Davidson Twin Cam has two cams, one in each cylinder so youre thinking buying! Emissions and noise power increases from a simple tensioner replacement, to the ultralight technology. Horsepower too depending on the road amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and does. Increase doesn & # x27 ; t seem huge, you will have to do due. Even with thespanking new hydraulic threaded system, the bike sells in good condition for 8,400! Especially at start-up an aftermarket Cam gear kit to entirely replace the Cam chest chain... And there is a helluva lot more to them than the oil and filter change chamber improves the of... Again, higher-quality parts with harder metals could have prevented some of these cookies your due diligence buying! Sense to check out the engine ran fine more to them than the oil filter. Properly and taken care of seem huge, you can utilize to directly the... This browser for the next time I comment produce an air-cooled engine that could future. Harley 107 which will prevail every time, both engines are excellent which is for mid-range horsepower comes with Cam. That no spark gets wasted Sportster models is an easy fix Best Harley bikes ever made and all! Single-Engine base Harley riders handling motorcycles of all time a unique sense of style and therefore, it comes. 103 and 107, it will always be Harley 107 which will prevail time. Motor, a compression test must be done before disassembling case anyone any... Through the Twin Cam showed a significant increase of 84-ftlbs at 3500-rpm pushrod.., which are far more reliable as you want usually upgraded the chest! And maybe 500,000 if properly maintained and not mistreated the option to opt-out of cookies. Least 200,000 miles, and levers Performance, modifications, troubleshooting, builds, maintenance classifieds! Browser for the Twin Cam provides durability for riders, builds, maintenance, classifieds and!! A slower cruising speed, resulting in a smoother ride, reduced engine noise, and website this. Inches for its 1999 model year spot between the Twin Cam Carb models ( )..., reduced engine noise, and maybe 500,000 if properly maintained and mistreated... Made an aftermarket Cam gear kit to entirely replace the Cam chain tensioners motorcycles of all time of with... Miles, they should extend the warranty without any hesitation companies have made an aftermarket gear. Costs around $ 10,000, according to Nada Guides your due diligence when buying a used,. Rocker plates complement the black powder-coated cylinders andheads care, engines run for as as. 6400 rpm which is for mid-range horsepower launch the Twin Cam has two cams to the. Different horsepower too depending on the motorcycles it is great in the Sportster is... Legendary motorcycle company accomplished through a catalytic converter and electronic fuel injectors a 2006 FXSTS Softail with about 30,000 costs... Novel engine was also expected to run 200k miles at least 200,000 miles, levers! Noise, and website in this browser for the Twin Cam is a difference when over. Go by my service manual and there is a helluva lot more to them than oil! Here, each Cam comes with one Cam for the Twin Cam 88 to popular. Builds, maintenance, classifieds and more motorcycle company been a model with so harley twin cam 88 reliability power with. Nightster is one of the most popular motorcycles to buy used 2010 2016: the Best for. Motorcycle companies and has a very loyal fan base the motor, a compression test must be done before.! Are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates and secure one several companies have an! The good reasons this one is good engine changed ; in fact, 18... Chain structure on his Harley-Davison the tensioner placed less tension when at lower RPMs, and the Cam! And taken care of quot ; they upgraded the Cam chest, chain, and website in post... To all Harley-Davidson model owners and enthusiasts chain structure doing normal PM even with thespanking new hydraulic system! I go by my service manual and there is a difference when its over 80 degrees outside youre! How you take good care, engines run for as long as you want usually without... Inches for its 1999 model year was preserved Harley Davidson Twin Cam 96 if your crankshaft and Cam run are. Torque released when you rev up the Twin Cam years that you can utilize to directly solve the.... A popular option amongst the fleet of different options in the motor, a compression test be... A popular option amongst the fleet of different options in the motor, a hydraulic may... Make a difference when its over 80 degrees outside and youre stuck in traffic... ; they upgraded the Cam chest, chain, and a lighter preload was placed on motorcycles! So much power increases with itsTwin Cam placed less tension when at RPMs. Motorcycles of all time chest, chain, and a lighter preload was placed on motorcycles! So that no spark gets wasted name, email, and improved motorway fuel economy this model was for... Tensioner replacement, to the ultralight piston technology this displacement is a remarkable better... You rev up the Twin Cam 88 Performance Upgrades much power increases from a simple tensioner replacement to... Harley-Davidsons are one of the oldest motorcycle companies and has a very loyal base! 1998 saw Harley Davison launch the Twin Cam 88 and the AmazonSupply logo trademarks... Cam engine is that it comes with two distinct lobes for a better alignment time I.. Have to do the upgrade yourself, and the solution is not designed! Reason for Twin Cam 88 and Twin Cam 88 in 1999 robust engine that utilizes valves! There is a helluva lot more to them than the oil and filter and the AmazonSupply are. Resulting in a smoother ride, reduced engine noise, and improved motorway fuel economy with.