Twin Cam Bearing Failures
 

ALCON, I have posted this out in 2 other communities that I participate in, and potentially it can be beneficial for you (If you fall into this catagory) to monitor your ride. Last Thursday PM, I was scootin' along @ about 70 on I-95, headin' towards DC. Start hearin' a tinny, metallic sound, so I pull over to check it out. No debris or FOD. Fire her back up, and it sounds like a Jamacian Brass Drum Band goin off in my motor. Limp it to the $tealer, and they tell me it's the cam bearings. Thank the MoCo for extending out the warrenty. Thank you Bill Harley, wherever you are......

Is it just on certain models or is it the year of Twin Cams that was pumped out? I've heard this rumor, but I guess....now that I've heard one story....it ain't just smoke up my a$$.

Take care,

It covers All TC's built up to 14 Dec, 1999. on the 15th of Dec, the MOCO changed the Cam Support Bearings. I have the Service Bulletin (M-1100) and a few articles about the who's, what's, where's, why's, etc...... How or better yet, can, I upload these docs for others to see?

When you post you'll see a section where you can "Attach File"....just hit the browse button and find the file...that will upload the electronic file to the site for everybody to see. You can only do one file at a time though, so if you have tons...and they are available from websites....you could just post the links. Later.

Here is the Service Bulletin IRT twin Cam Rear Cam Bearing Failure and repair....

It is a Zip file that is Adobe Format.

Hope that this helps........

Bearing Noise
 

I just had the complete upper end re-buildt on my 2000 FLSTF which was built before the date Dec 1999. My upper end was very noisy but never failed. Now the noise is totally gone. Not quiter just gone. I think the excessive loud chain noise or marble in tin can rolling around sound was this problem. Just never failed. Sorry for you it happened out on the road. Did you have much down time? By the way there is a recall on that bearing. So HD should not charge you.

RapidoRaptor

It Died last Thursday, and I know that it is covered by the warrenty. I am thankful that it wasn't a Casastrophic Failure while puttin' @ 70 MPH on I-95.

My .02 cents ;
Never buy a first year product . I bought a new '67 XLH - first year for the electric leg . Nothing but problems so learned to use the kick lever . Bought new the '71 FX , Red , White and Blue with the boat tail SuperGlide . They changed a bunch of things on it in '72 . Nephew bought a '99 Road King and he was luckey that they had changed the cam problem by the time his was made . MoCo will only fix it after it destroys the engine which to me sucks . Every ride you take , you wonder if you'll get back home on scoot . Sucks big time ...Raymond

I believe in the same philosophy, never buy a First or Last year production run. Well, I thought that I had a 2k model bike, it's just the engine had a bad set of bearings, and it was a second production year run piece as well. Oh well, I just have to wait for my trusty steed to come home, so I can flog her again.......

Hi,
I just registered here. I was searching for information on my HD's cam failure. My 2000 Ultra's engine pinged, popped and died while I was motoring down the highway at 55 mph at week. The dealer came and got my bike. The 2 service guys were joking about how many dozens of bikes they've seen already with a cam failure once the bike hits 10k to 15k miles. Mine had 13,500 miles on it. The service bulletin M-1100 covers it under a special warranty. The engine was so damaged the dealer recommended a new engine, but he had to get the factory to approve it. I called HD's customer service and was told that it was up to them to decide what happens. I complained that they should have recalled the bikes instead of letting them break down. They thought I was all wet. The dealer called me back and told me HD called him and was pissed that I called and wasn't going to replace the engine. Luckily he smoothed it over and the new engine should be here within a week. Man, I'm not sure I appreciate the way HD is conducting business these days, especially on this issue. I'm glad I didn't have an accident!

Greetings, jschmitt1956
Sounds like a spacific dealer is the issue or service manager. I have found some good service departments and a couple of bad ones. I think 99% of service departments for HD are easy to work with and aim to please the customer. So if you are having trouble with a specific dealer service dept. Look around. To bad your bike is tied up in the shop at this time but next time shop around for another dealer if possiable. But do not give up on the fight for your rights. Keep us updated on your progress.

Rapido