Harley model history

**klink** · 29th October 2007, 19:15

If your not thast keen to apply yourself to the tools then anything later than about 83 evo through to tc88 and on.

If your good on the tools then shovel, but try and avoid anything slapped together in the AMF years. My personal fav is the PAN as well. You need a chunky wallet for a good one tho..

Klink

**swanman** · 30th October 2007, 08:25

I am ok with tools, but would rather have something as maintenance free as possible.

BTW what are the "AMF years"?

**scumdog** · 30th October 2007, 09:22

AMF years?
That's when Harley was owned by AMF (the company that still makes 10-pin bowling alleys) and they were more concerned with manufacturing out-put than quality.

Not sure of exact start of AMF years - about 1978 but H-D took back the reins in 1981.

BTW I had a AMF year Sporty, it was waayyy tired when I got it but once I sorted it out it continued to run strong for years without more than oil changes, chain adjustment etc - normal stuff.

FXD Dynas need a little gadget to make them handle - the whole engine/trans/swing-arm are bolted together as a unit - and then rubber mounted to the frame, it does nothing to instill confidence in the handling so there is a kit you can get (I'm making them for my bike) that includes a few heim-joints and mounting plates, these stop the side to side wallow but still allow the engine etc to 'rock'.

If I had my way I would solid mount the engine etc to the frame, what's a bit of vibration??

Twin-cams (the latest H-D 'big' engine) DID have a few problems with the cam-bearings sacking-out when they got to 25,000km or so - but that was the early one, i.e. 1999 -part of 2000.

Google: cyclespot, it you can blunder your way around the interwebby thing you'll stumble on a site re H-D models.
PM me if you need the exact address.

**Headbanger** · 30th October 2007, 11:49

The weak cam bearings have been in use since about 1994, In all Evo's and 88's.

**scumdog** · 30th October 2007, 12:16

Originally Posted by Headbanger

The weak cam bearings have been in use since about 1994, In all Evo's and 88's.

Never heard of it being a problem in the Evos and the post- 2000 Twin-cams (88's) are meant to be ok. It was just the early 88's with a ball type bearing (from memory) that were the problem.

Here 'tis:
"On December 14, 1999 a running change was made in the design and production of the rear cam bearing in Twin Cam 88 and Twin Cam 88B engines. The change replaced the ball bearing style bearing in the rear cam with tapered roller bearings. The Motor Company is aware of the publicity this change has received and the concern some customers may have with the performance of cam bearings.

In order to ensure our customers' satisfaction, the Motor Company extended a 5 year/50,000 mile warranty on the rear cam bearings to owners of certain 1999 and 2000 vintage Twin Cam 88 and 88B motorcycles. The affected motorcycles have ball bearing style bearings in the rear cam and were manufactured between July 1998 and December 14, 1999. "

Hope this helps.

**Headbanger** · 30th October 2007, 12:23

Interesting, I'll find the info I have been reading on the subject and get back to ya.

**Headbanger** · 30th October 2007, 12:40

Righto, The theory being the standard INA bearing is prone to collapse but more likely to happen once the cam has been upgraded. I have seen plenty of reports from people saying theirs have fallen apart, but for all I know this number may fall into what ever failure rate is designated as acceptable by HD.

Up until 1992 HD used a Torrington bearing before switching to the INA in all its engines. The replacement Torrington bearing can be purchased for about $30NZD and it is generally recommended to upgrade this item if that area of the engine is ever opened up.

Torrington B-138 cam bearing to give it full name

This thread has some solid info in it, Especially from Springer who is obviously a HD mechanic.

http://www.hdforums.com/m_874385/tm.htm

Anyway, While it may not cripple every bike, Its accepted as something that needs attention, and for the sake of $30 bucks, Ya can't go wrong. I ordered one in to go with my new cam....

Hope this helps.

**popelli** · 31st October 2007, 05:16

Originally Posted by Headbanger

Up until 1992 HD used a Torrington bearing before switching to the INA in all its engines. The replacement Torrington bearing can be purchased for about $30NZD and it is generally recommended to upgrade this item if that area of the engine is ever opened up.
.

yes they used the cheap crap bearing for about 2 years, they have been known to fail with standard cams - if you have no proof that it's been changed, change it

If this bearing fails it will cost a lot more than $30 to fix the damage it will cause

it is a doddle to change if you have the correct puller to get the old bearing out, otherwise you may have difficulty

and whilst you are in there slip in an EV27 cam or something similar, more power everywhere with no adverse side effects

**Defiant** · 31st October 2007, 07:55

Yep it all started with a v-twin powered water pump out in a paddock that wasn't bolted down and the farmer tried to sit on it to stop it from moving round the farm...well it ended up bouncing into town up to the closest pub and his mates said that cool, so they all dis-attach'd their pump engines and started to ride them to the pub...

JUST JOKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**Troll** · 31st October 2007, 19:10

Originally Posted by scumdog

AMF years?
Not sure of exact start of AMF years - about 1978 but H-D took back the reins in 1981.

.

AMF took over late 60's through to early 80's

They made a lot of mistakes but what they did do was pour loads of money into new tooling

Also brought out the 1980 FXWG with flames on the tank

Aparantly introduced quality control around 77, god knows how bad they must have been before this was introduced

**Headbanger** · 31st October 2007, 20:07

69 through to 81 if we were going to put numbers to it...

and according to wiki

American Machinery and Foundry (AMF) bought the company, streamlined production, and slashed the workforce. This tactic resulted in a labor strike and a lower quality of bikes. The bikes were expensive and inferior in performance, handling, and quality to Japanese motorcycles. Sales declined, quality plummeted, and the company almost went bankrupt. The venerable name of "Harley-Davidson" was mocked as "Hardly Ableson", and the nickname "Hog" became pejorative.

w00t w00t.

**scumdog** · 1st November 2007, 06:03

Originally Posted by Troll

AMF took over late 60's through to early 80's

They made a lot of mistakes but what they did do was pour loads of money into new tooling

Also brought out the 1980 FXWG with flames on the tank

Aparantly introduced quality control around 77, god knows how bad they must have been before this was introduced

Ah, that's why I thought of the '78 year - the quality control thing.

I believe th big "1" logo with starts&stripes was the AMF logo on H-Ds.

**sunhuntin** · 1st November 2007, 07:59

ive only seen one AMF harley in person... frickin ugleeeeeeee! didnt even look like a harley. yick!

**Headbanger** · 1st November 2007, 10:42

About the only good thing to come out of the AMF years was the XR-750, If I had the money to be a collector thats what I would have, and probably stop with just that, or maybe a couple of em. Use one for paddock racing.

Anyway, In the wtf are they smoking category, heres an AMF HD, built in Italy, commissioned by crack heads, sold to no one...probably.

Though I suppose if ya mounted a big set of Apes, a drag pipe, some tassels, 2 foot high sissy bar, Then the ladies would come running,..To get a share of the crack....