So the search is on. Engine/ Frame/ Electrical wise, are there any model years that were more problematic than others? I heard good things about the twin cam 88 motor which i believe is MY 1998-2002(?) but besides that, anybody experience any frame cracking or electrical gremlins?
Thanks to all.
1999 was the first TWIN CAM
ALL 1999 TWIN-CAMS and all the 2000's(mine) BUILT BEFORE DEC 15 1999 (find BUILD DATE on neck info...) had a BIG problem that harley WOULD fix for FREE but only when it BLEW UP or when cam bearing went bad. FREE yet today, regardless of owners (present owner of bike forever)but had to have the NOISE or blow-up...
Problem today: there are still a lot of bikes of those years (built date on bike frame) out there that have NOT had a problem YET or NOT been repaired by the owner before coming apart.... BE CAREFUL
MY 2000 fxds was a problem child and I DID ALL the repairs on my dime.....
all bearings in cams,feuling oil pump n lifters,delkron cam plate,SSgear drive 570 cams. solved that problem... also went with flowed heads manly springs n valves. big bore 95" and more...
PUT 117000 miles on that bike with 3 different engine builds
also BAD were the chain tensioners that gave up early, or no telling WHEN they would chip or break, going into oil pump and damage....
IN MY OPINION the oil pumps were ALSO UNDER engineered (too narrow of gears, low volume on return portion of pump) ALSO had to be align PERFECTLY or would not function properly allowing too much oil in sump area (crank) causing FOAMING thru-out the engine....HENCE oil out the air cleaner and onto bike (mild to extreme)
IF you find a low mile 1999 and 2000 bike for the right price. THE sure fix is there.. NEW style cam BEARINGS (ALL) cam support plate, better chain, different type of tensioner along with a good replacement oil pump ,,, can be had as a KIT from harley. this improvement came on 06 dyna's and ALL 07's and up, with a 96 cu. in. motor and a 6 speed tranny.....
there is another model year told to stay away from?????? some one will chime in here and let you know.... HOPE this HELPED
GOOD HUNTING
signed....BUBBIE