Thank you for that. Now the question, are these really a problem, or is it a solution to a problem that doesn't really exist? I haven't heard much about these, got my curiosity up now.

 

I don't think it's so much that there is a recurring problem with them. More so that you've already got things opened up and have to remove them anyway so why not spend the 60 or 70 bucks to swap out the plastic ones for bullet.

 

In June 2022, I took a road trip out West and had some lifter problems. My 2018 FLHCS (Heritage) with nearly 30k miles started rattling much more than normal on startup while in Wyoming. Normally, the motor has a few seconds of "rattle" on startup, but this lasted a couple of few minutes at low RPM. It would quiet if revved a bit and eventually went away. This continued until I got home a few days later.

I consulted with a local indy and my local dealership a few days after getting home. Of course, the bike was warmed up when I got to each place and didn't sound off. Both of them made comments like, "they all do that" or "turn up the radio" (I don't have one), or "you need louder pipes". I know my bike, and this was unusual.

I decided to simply change the oil about 700 miles before the scheduled 30k service. I dumped the Mobil 1 20W50 and replaced it with Amsoil 20W50. The excessive lifter noise at startup immediately ceased and has not returned. I saw nothing unusual on the drain plug magnet, so I figure the motor is okay. My assumption at this point is viscosity breakdown of the Mobil 1.

Your thoughts?

 

Cuffs
True, that it is not a reoccurring problem, but you do not have to remove them anyway when doing a cam/lifter change.

 

I’m thinking that your assumption of the viscosity breakdown with the Mobil 1is probably right. Had you simply installed fresh Mobil 1or any other brand you would’ve had the same results. Usually fresh oil will reduce noises for a bit. However, keep an ear to those lifters, Amsoil or not, the previous rattle might be an indication that the lifters are tired. I run Amsoil in everything I own…😉

 

Did you have new lifters installed with the 117 kit? There has been issues with the oem 99-C lifters for a long time. Well discussed. The 99-B's seemed to be very good, the C's suck. I ran my 2021 for 3900 miles then got them out doing a stage 2. Went with Johnson Hylift from WFO Larry (Larry's Motorcycle & Machine). Have never had an issue with them. S&S cuffs also installed but I truly don't think the oem plastic cuffs are an issue. I would have replaced the stock lifters long before 45,000 miles and would think they were replaced when you went 117.

 

Yes new lifters came with the kit.

• Includes 4.075" Bolt-On Cylinders, Forged 11:1 High Compression Aluminum Coated Pistons, High Performance Piston Rings and Tappets, SE8-498 Cam, Performance Valve Springs


In the Box: Screamin' Eagle Cylinders, Pistons, Piston Rings, Cam, Valve Springs, Tappets, Head Gaskets, Cylinder Base and Cam Cover Gaskets

 

I know someone that had the 131 installed on a brand new SG CVO a couple years ago. Had a lifter failure within 500 miles I think it was. And that was with the "upgraded" SE lifters.....

 

If you buy a new Harley there are just certain facts that need to be understood. Stock windscreens on Road Glide Specials and Street Glide Specials are useless to most riders. The stock exhaust is too quiet for most riders. The rear shocks are sufficient to hold the bike up, but there are better options, and the lifters usually start to rattle at startup after a few month since Harley started buying cheap off shore manufactured lifter labeled -C. Most of us know that. Of course there are exceptions. A good set of lifters.might slip through occasionally, but they are of poor quality as is the inner cam bearing. I have resigned my self to accepting these truths and spend the money to correct these things and just replace these items along with a decent aftermarket cam and lifter cuffs. Now I enjoy my bike with the added performance and reliability these parts provide. Those things are "good enough" for some people, then they complain about their shortcomings.

 

They may be facts, but for what the bikes cost, there is no excuse for these failures.