Have you had crankshaft problems on a 2007 or 2008?
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 5
From: Fort Worth TX
RE: Have you had crankshaft problems on a 2007 or 2008?
I agree that you do not have to do any mods to have a crank issue or bearing failure. Although increase hp and tq can certainly speed up the end result. It really is a roll of the dice on these cranks. We have had customers build big engines and never have the issue, others do mild mods and they crank goes south, and yet others do nothing to them and still have failures. Even the after market cranks are questionable as to proper set up. \\; We had a \\; a Jims crank fail \\; with 1800 miles send it \\;back to them wait a few weeks and get it back with a l\\;etter stating nothing wrong. Send it to Hobans find that the it needed a +2 pin and along with new races and the original one where egg shaped. All said and done I get back in touch with Jims to report what we found, there statement was simple. " there is no need to run a crank pin that tight a small amount of rod knock with a longer storker crank is normal" WTF??!!! \\; S&\\;S cranks pretty much same story, we dont even bother running them stock either. Just let Hobans do there \\; stuff and we know that it is right and ready to go.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,663
Likes: 7
From: Northeast Ohio
RE: Have you had crankshaft problems on a 2007 or 2008?
+1 on Hoban's - \\; Darkhorse Crankworks.
 \\;
I have maintained all along it is a crapshoot with the stock cranks, particularly when doing a build. \\; It isn't a problem that is quantifiable at this time as I dont think anyone other than HD has tracked this problem and obviously they are not going to disclose the number of failures, but still, it does exist and HD knows it exists, that is why the acceptable factory tolerances were changed, if left to pre 07 specs HD would have been replacing a lot of cranks. \\; This has been a problem for some time as ther have been failures of a few pre 07 cranks that I am aware of, but the larger dispacement 96 and 110 from the factory have magnified the problem and now with the bigger bore and stroke engines being built with better aftermarket components, more power is being made, again, magnifying the problem. \\;
 \\;
I have maintained all along it is a crapshoot with the stock cranks, particularly when doing a build. \\; It isn't a problem that is quantifiable at this time as I dont think anyone other than HD has tracked this problem and obviously they are not going to disclose the number of failures, but still, it does exist and HD knows it exists, that is why the acceptable factory tolerances were changed, if left to pre 07 specs HD would have been replacing a lot of cranks. \\; This has been a problem for some time as ther have been failures of a few pre 07 cranks that I am aware of, but the larger dispacement 96 and 110 from the factory have magnified the problem and now with the bigger bore and stroke engines being built with better aftermarket components, more power is being made, again, magnifying the problem. \\;
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 0
RE: Have you had crankshaft problems on a 2007 or 2008?
have them put it back together and on your way home keep locking the rear tire up with out pulling in the clutch and keeping it in gear \\;and it will throw the crank so far out of specs even your dealer could see it.
its not right but neither is spending 20 grand for something that is not right to begin with.
 \\;
its not right but neither is spending 20 grand for something that is not right to begin with.
 \\;
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 67
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So, if these cranks are bad...Are they bad from the factory? Or do they go bad over time and miles? I guess what I'm trying to find out is: If I have the crank runout checked on my bike before doing a build and it is say .003 does that mean that mine is OK? Or will the runout increase over time until it causes problems?
I have an '07 FLHR with 14,000miles on it. Arlen's Big Sucker, Slip-Ons, T-max and was considering doing a 575 cam this winter. But maybe I don't want to add the cam if the crank is "shaky"?
So far, without the cam, it seems to be OK even after 14K. I don't have any knock or vibration (ok, no excessive vibration for a big twin Harley anyway).
I have an '07 FLHR with 14,000miles on it. Arlen's Big Sucker, Slip-Ons, T-max and was considering doing a 575 cam this winter. But maybe I don't want to add the cam if the crank is "shaky"?
So far, without the cam, it seems to be OK even after 14K. I don't have any knock or vibration (ok, no excessive vibration for a big twin Harley anyway).
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
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From:
I seriously doubt that any 07/08 is .000" or even .001".what you have [.003"] seems to be the norm. That being its the luck of the draw.How you ride will play into this. Upping the performance will only play into those cranks failing easier.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Mines out also
I got back from Myrtle on Sunday a week ago and on the way to work on Tuesday I noticed the windscreen was vibrating at 50 mph were it had always been glass smooth. The next day it was even worse, the highway pegs would actually vibrate into the down position.
I took it to a Harley certified independent shop and they showed me the primary side showing .017 runout. MOCO would not authorize them to do the work. I was told I had to take it to a dealer!
Now I'm pissed... this the nicest bike I've ever owned and the worst also! It's had the whole gamut of '07 problems. Primary chain overtightening, of course the clatter, the fairing brackets breaking, overheating, and now the crank. Sheesh, at 22,000 miles this thing is running me broke! At least I got my vacation in! I don't abuse this bike in any way, I just ride it ...when it's available!
I took it to a Harley certified independent shop and they showed me the primary side showing .017 runout. MOCO would not authorize them to do the work. I was told I had to take it to a dealer!
Now I'm pissed... this the nicest bike I've ever owned and the worst also! It's had the whole gamut of '07 problems. Primary chain overtightening, of course the clatter, the fairing brackets breaking, overheating, and now the crank. Sheesh, at 22,000 miles this thing is running me broke! At least I got my vacation in! I don't abuse this bike in any way, I just ride it ...when it's available!