Does anyone have a freewheeler or tri glide with over 65,000 miles on it? I am asking this because my 2015 freewheeler with 65,900 miles on it needs a complete new motor and I am wondering if this is normal or I just got a bad one. I broke it in by the book, changed oil and serviced it by the book, never lugged the motor or over revved it. Basically the only parts inside the motor that were any good were the cam chain tensioner shoes. They showed almost no wear. It is still under extended warranty so they are fixing it on that but I really expected the motor to last longer as I have kept it stock. So if you have a high mileage trike please let me know how good or bad its been.

 

What specifically is out of spec that is warranting a complete new motor?

I have had two Twin Cams that had major warranty motor work done (1 complete Reman and one complete top end from the cylinders/pistons up), both of these were heat damaged. Out of round cylinders, case damage, valve damage and more.

I have also had several Twin Cams that have gone over 100k with no motor work and are still going strong.

 

the list I got was
pistons, cylinders scored
fly wheels seized at one point, from right side about 2 o'clock position
cam surfaces flaking
cams flaking
will need flywheels,pistons,cylinders,cams,2chain tensioners, 4 lifters,4 rocker arms, related bearings to cams and flywheels 3 oil, oil filter, oil pan gasket, engine to trans gasket, seals front upper motor stabilizer, and any other unseen parts
This is the list I got from the dealer. I asked why not just order a long block but was told by the mechanic that he could fix it just as well if not better than a longblock. Heres hoping. At least I will still have 3 years warranty left

 

Dads 14 triglide has around 50k miles on it with no issues.

 

August 29, 2017 MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBER: 1HD-K8Y7Z-09
Components: EQUIPMENT
NHTSA ID Number: 10117892

Manufacturer Communication Number: 1HD-K8Y7Z-09

Summary

SERVICE BULLETIN M1446: BIG TWIN LONG BLOCK REPLACEMENT ENGINE, REVISION. Purpose is updated dealer action for Twin Cam engines for warranty or as replacement engines. Starting on June 1, 2017 HDMC (Harley-Davidson Motor Company) is no longer offering full engine replacement for model years 2014-2016 Touring Twin Cam engines. Starting on September 1, 2017 HDMC is no longer offering full engine replacement for model years 2014-2017 Softail, Dyna and CVO Softail Twin Cam engines

 

Wow, that is quite a list.

Did the dealership or mechanic offer any thoughts on WHY all these components have failed?

 

I asked but he said he had no explanation except maybe it was bad right from the start seeing as I was complaining about the high heat from day one. And I don't mean heat that would normally be expected, I mean heat that melted the paint off the rear head and heat that bubbled the sticker on the front left down tube. Also noted that every dealership that I questioned about the heat (throughout Canada and the USA) said that the heat I was complaining about was normal.

 

I would find a fairly new take out motor and just swap it out. It’s what I did at 92000 miles..while your at it put a new belt swingarm bushings clutch Baker Compensator... I haven’t regretted any of these changes.

 

That would be a bad idea.


Curious if the engines are the same as the bikes. Do they beef them up for the additional load? Though it may only compare to a fat couple. How much weight does it take to wear a motor faster? Dunno.

 

Why is it a bad idea?