Hello all, have one on my tab. You might want a couple, this
will be a long post.
The bike is a 2000 FLTR Road Glide, carbureted. It's got
quite a few miles -- coming up on 136,000. Around the end of
2000, I had it upgraded to 95" with the "dresser cam" as
well (SE "203"?). Made a nice difference!
(I should mention that my _other bike_ is a 1990 FXRS-sp,
with 98,000+ on it. It's doing ok, but the shifter arm is
loose on the outside of the tranny housing, so I nurse it
along with care. Now and then the oil check valve leaks and
I get oil out of the breather.)
The Road Glide's engine is going bad on me. It had grown a
little "noiser" for the past couple of years, but was doing
ok. Oil was always changed every 2,500 miles. I'd had the
original cam tensioners replaced -- the outboard at 60,000
and both at 100,000 (along with a new cam and oil pump).
(When I had the latter work done, HD was not yet offering
the upgraded cam tensioner arrangement for older bikes, as
they do now, so it still has the old design)
But it's time for an overhaul, or complete replacement. Last
few weeks the engine has been making sounds that say, "this
is the end for me, old friend". The bike is parked until
that happens, or until I sell it (read on). It could be top
end, could be down in the crankcase, not sure. I don't think
a "top end rebuild" alone will help -- the cases would have
to be cracked -- a "full rebuild". I can't do that myself,
have neither the skills, tools, or a suitable workplace to
do it. So it's got to go to a dealer that I trust.
I've been considering Harley's "factory rebuild" program.
For my engine (2000 TC88 carb) it would run about $3,200
plus the dealer labor. One service guy I talked to said to
figure about 12 hours labor for both ends of the job
(removal and reinstallation). So about another $1,200, plus
incidental parts, tax, etc. I figure around $5,000 for the
entire job.
Upsides:
- I get a "factory fresh" engine with a one-year warranty
- I believe that ALL remanufactured twin cams are now
getting the old-style cam plate arrangement automatically
updated to the new [hydraulic tensioner] design as a part of
the rebuild. This would be a BIG plus. What does that
upgrade _alone_ cost from the dealer, parts and labor? (this
info from the "factory rebuild pdf file downloadable from
the HD web site)
Downsides:
- The factory will only rebuild the engine to "original
factory specs" (exception may be the cam tensioner plate
upgrade). I believe they check your VIN and give you back
"what they originally gave you" from the factory. That means
I'm only going to get back an 88" engine with a stock cam.
(Aside: mine has the Screamin' Eagle Mikuni 42mm carb, which
I _think_ the dealer removes before shipping the engine back
and then reinstalls later on.)
I should also say the rest of the bike is in pretty fair
shape for 135,000 miles. It _might_ need a new belt, still
has the original, which has no holes, although the rear
sprocket shows chips in the chrome plating and I'm told you
can't replace that without replacing the belt as well. It
needs fresh tires, as well.
So I could see myself getting a few more seasons out of the
ol' Glide after a rebuild (I'm 62 this year, and would be
happy for just a "few more seasons" myself!) But it's going
to cost me. Figure in the rebuild, tires, maybe a belt -- I
could easily be pushing $7,000. It's do-able for me, though
not sure if I really want to do it.
I've got a hankerin' for something different. You know how
it is.
A new Road Glide would be perfect. Or even a "late model
used" in good shape. I could even do with a Street Glide,
though I'm a believer that the fixed fairing is a better
handler (don't want to get into that argument with this
post). I could go either way.
Then again, I've seen the new Dyna "Switchback", which I
really like as well. Coming from the FXR, I've not seen that
many Dynas that appeal to me, but the Switchback looks to be
something really special. No radio, though -- and "music on
the road" is one of the reasons I like to ride.
I'd be willing to give up both my old bikes for a new one.
FXRS-sp -- maybe I could get $3,500. It's got a lot of
miles, but I never modified it much. Screamin' Eagle Mikuni
carb (wonderful), low-end cam, a few chrome touches, but
it's pretty much today "as it was" when I bought it in 1993.
But these days, who still wants an FXR?
Road Glide -- that's the $64 question.
IF the engine was in good shape, I figure it might be worth
about $9,000, tops, considering the mileage. I'm thinking
that I'd be satisfied with 4,500 for it "as is". A buyer
could put the engine through the rebuild program, and end up
with a fresh engine (with the redesigned cam tensioners and
a factory warranty) for a reasonable price.
But I doubt I'd get any "takers" that way. Would you buy a
bike with a bad engine, even if the rest of the bike was in
good shape?
I'm guessing both of these bikes aren't anything that a
dealership will consider for trade-ins. Could I be wrong
about that? Stopped by the local dealer to ogle the
Switchback, and the sales gal's been calling me ever since!
Well, if you read this far, why not have another one (or
two) on me!
Thanks,
- John
<snippage>
Dealers aren't much interested in trades for high mileage bikes. However,
they aren't putting a ton of sleds out the door these days so if you shop
around you may find one that'll trade. As for the FXR, you'd be surprised
how many people keep an eye out for them. Many buy to reflog 'em anyway so
miles may not be an issue if it's priced right.
>> Downsides:
- The factory will only rebuild the engine to "original
factory specs" (exception may be the cam tensioner plate
upgrade). I believe they check your VIN and give you back
"what they originally gave you" from the factory. That means
I'm only going to get back an 88" engine with a stock cam.
(Aside: mine has the Screamin' Eagle Mikuni 42mm carb, which
I _think_ the dealer removes before shipping the engine back
and then reinstalls later on.) <<
You get back what you send in, send in an 88" you get 88" back. Same for a
95". Some folks I know that have had engines replaced under warranty had the
option of kicking in soime bucks for an upgrade.
They don't rebuild *your* engine, they've got a bunch of 'em sitting around
ready to stamp your VIN on and ship it back out. They're stock using current
manufacturing specs so you get all the upgrades over the years. If you send
yours back with the 203s in you'll lose 'em. Dealer takes off the chrome
doo-dads and induction system and puts 'em on the new engine when they take
it out of the crate.
My personal thought is you may get more for the FXR than you think. However,
I'm thinking unless a dealer takes it in trade you may be stuck with the
FLTR unless you fire-sale it. Even with a fresh engine I'm thinking 9 grand
is optimistic for a 100K+ miles bike. Low mileage 11 yr old baggers might go
for around that, probably not with those miles though regardless of the new
engine.
My $.02
112
John Albert wrote:
> Hello all, have one on my tab. You might want a couple, this
> will be a long post.
> The bike is a 2000 FLTR Road Glide, carbureted. It's got
> quite a few miles -- coming up on 136,000. Around the end of
> 2000, I had it upgraded to 95" with the "dresser cam" as
> well (SE "203"?). Made a nice difference!
> (I should mention that my _other bike_ is a 1990 FXRS-sp,
> with 98,000+ on it. It's doing ok, but the shifter arm is
> loose on the outside of the tranny housing, so I nurse it
> along with care. Now and then the oil check valve leaks and
> I get oil out of the breather.)
> The Road Glide's engine is going bad on me. It had grown a
> little "noiser" for the past couple of years, but was doing
> ok. Oil was always changed every 2,500 miles. I'd had the
> original cam tensioners replaced -- the outboard at 60,000
> and both at 100,000 (along with a new cam and oil pump).
> (When I had the latter work done, HD was not yet offering
> the upgraded cam tensioner arrangement for older bikes, as
> they do now, so it still has the old design)
> But it's time for an overhaul, or complete replacement. Last
> few weeks the engine has been making sounds that say, "this
> is the end for me, old friend". The bike is parked until
> that happens, or until I sell it (read on). It could be top
> end, could be down in the crankcase, not sure. I don't think
> a "top end rebuild" alone will help -- the cases would have
> to be cracked -- a "full rebuild". I can't do that myself,
> have neither the skills, tools, or a suitable workplace to
> do it. So it's got to go to a dealer that I trust.
> I've been considering Harley's "factory rebuild" program.
> For my engine (2000 TC88 carb) it would run about $3,200
> plus the dealer labor. One service guy I talked to said to
> figure about 12 hours labor for both ends of the job
> (removal and reinstallation). So about another $1,200, plus
> incidental parts, tax, etc. I figure around $5,000 for the
> entire job.
> Upsides:
> - I get a "factory fresh" engine with a one-year warranty
> - I believe that ALL remanufactured twin cams are now
> getting the old-style cam plate arrangement automatically
> updated to the new [hydraulic tensioner] design as a part of
> the rebuild. This would be a BIG plus. What does that
> upgrade _alone_ cost from the dealer, parts and labor? (this
> info from the "factory rebuild pdf file downloadable from
> the HD web site)
> Downsides:
> - The factory will only rebuild the engine to "original
> factory specs" (exception may be the cam tensioner plate
> upgrade). I believe they check your VIN and give you back
> "what they originally gave you" from the factory. That means
> I'm only going to get back an 88" engine with a stock cam.
> (Aside: mine has the Screamin' Eagle Mikuni 42mm carb, which
> I _think_ the dealer removes before shipping the engine back
> and then reinstalls later on.)
> I should also say the rest of the bike is in pretty fair
> shape for 135,000 miles. It _might_ need a new belt, still
> has the original, which has no holes, although the rear
> sprocket shows chips in the chrome plating and I'm told you
> can't replace that without replacing the belt as well. It
> needs fresh tires, as well.
> So I could see myself getting a few more seasons out of the
> ol' Glide after a rebuild (I'm 62 this year, and would be
> happy for just a "few more seasons" myself!) But it's going
> to cost me. Figure in the rebuild, tires, maybe a belt -- I
> could easily be pushing $7,000. It's do-able for me, though
> not sure if I really want to do it.
> I've got a hankerin' for something different. You know how
> it is.
> A new Road Glide would be perfect. Or even a "late model
> used" in good shape. I could even do with a Street Glide,
> though I'm a believer that the fixed fairing is a better
> handler (don't want to get into that argument with this
> post). I could go either way.
> Then again, I've seen the new Dyna "Switchback", which I
> really like as well. Coming from the FXR, I've not seen that
> many Dynas that appeal to me, but the Switchback looks to be
> something really special. No radio, though -- and "music on
> the road" is one of the reasons I like to ride.
> I'd be willing to give up both my old bikes for a new one.
> FXRS-sp -- maybe I could get $3,500. It's got a lot of
> miles, but I never modified it much. Screamin' Eagle Mikuni
> carb (wonderful), low-end cam, a few chrome touches, but
> it's pretty much today "as it was" when I bought it in 1993.
> But these days, who still wants an FXR?
> Road Glide -- that's the $64 question.
> IF the engine was in good shape, I figure it might be worth
> about $9,000, tops, considering the mileage. I'm thinking
> that I'd be satisfied with 4,500 for it "as is". A buyer
> could put the engine through the rebuild program, and end up
> with a fresh engine (with the redesigned cam tensioners and
> a factory warranty) for a reasonable price.
> But I doubt I'd get any "takers" that way. Would you buy a
> bike with a bad engine, even if the rest of the bike was in
> good shape?
> I'm guessing both of these bikes aren't anything that a
> dealership will consider for trade-ins. Could I be wrong
> about that? Stopped by the local dealer to ogle the
> Switchback, and the sales gal's been calling me ever since!
> Well, if you read this far, why not have another one (or
> two) on me!
> Thanks,
> - John
Replace the shifter arm and shaft using Hog Doctors most excellent
instructions . Takes a weekend , and it ain't that hard . Did mine earlier
this year . Do the spring while you're in there .
Pull your old motor yourself and have a reputable shop in your area
rebuild it . Chances are you'll spend way less than the 7 large you've
mentioned , and still have 2 bikes to flog .
If you sell the FXR you'll regret it . I'd snatch one up in a minute if I
had the cash , but I don't , and with the economy the way it is it ain't
likely I will any time soon .
--
Snag
Learning keeps
you young !
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