The service manual I have for an 02 FXST loves giving direction in terms of inboard and outboard for seating parts of the engine for assembly. I want to make sure that I'm understanding these terms correctly. First definitions. I hear inboard as something pointing towards the center of the engine. Outboard, the opposite, pointing away from center. Enter a specific example that confuses me.

The service manual states "Install lifters in the crankcase bores with the oil hole on the inboard side..."

That to me says that the oil hole should be facing toward the center of the bike. This would imply that when you remove the lift originally, the oil hole wouldn't be visible since it would be facing inward and away from you. When I removed all 4 lifters however, that oil hole faced out, towards me. Videos that I've watch on Youtube show the same thing. What gives?

Am I misunderstanding the term inboard? Am I misunderstanding the 'oil hole' referenced in the service manual? Has anyone else been confused by this?

Thanks -W

 

Over thinking; doesn't matter how the oil hole is oriented. The oil will fill the galley and go where it's supposed to go.

 

To answer the question, yes inboard still means "in", and outboard still means "out". Also djl is the man and he knows what he's talking about. Just an fyi...my '04 had all of the stock lifters oriented so the holes pointed out.

 

I pay more attention to if one flat on lifter side fits better with the roll pin. I've seen it where one side is just a bit looser that the other. I choose the more snug side as long as it's not hard against the pin. Saw that once before also. Don't remember who's lifters it was. Otherwise it doesn't matter whether holes are inboard or out

 

just to complicate things in uk they talk about nearside and off side. If going down the road near side is left side ( near the curb). Inboard and out board we can go medial and lateral. Just adhere to the KISS pricipal and youll be cool!