Lifter Going Bad - 09 96"

[les]

I'll ask when I stop by there this weekend for a peek at it.  I'm curious too.... Maybe not getting to the root cause.

Crank run out has never been checked, should I ask them to check that too? 

I guess I've been lucky, 1200 Sporty for 7 yrs and this RG for 5 and no major issues, so all new to me....

A crank runout reading would be helpful.  Many of us attribute excessive crank runout to oil pump scoring and cam plate scoring.  Also, if the crank bearings are starting to go (which does introduce contaminants) that might have some relation to runout?  Not sure about that.  Thanks for checking.

[N-gin]

I had a motor that sounded just like that. Ended up being a seized lifter roller and it whipped out the cam.

[Ohio HD]

"contaminants" went through the oil.

Maybe they should be replacing the entire motor.

[Grillfish]

I had a motor that sounded just like that. Ended up being a seized lifter roller and it whipped out the cam.

I specifically asked if they were replacing the cams too and they said no.  Weird.  I was going to ask them to put in 204 or 255 and I pay the parts price difference and they said they wont since it's being fixed under ESP. 

Thanks everyone for the replies.  Helps me form my questions when I get to the dealer.

[Grillfish]

Dealer called and they said the bike is back together.  They could not identify the contaminants, ESP even asked the dealer this question.  They checked crank run out and it was .004. 

So now I'm back on the road just in time for 80% sunny weather 

[Jaycee1964]

Glad you have ESP for another year.  I would ride the "Potty mouth" outta it as many miles as possible to ensure the "contaminants" are gone.  If it's gonna blow up I hope it's soon 4U

[Grillfish]

Glad you have ESP for another year.  I would ride the "Potty mouth" outta it as many miles as possible to ensure the "contaminants" are gone.  If it's gonna blow up I hope it's soon 4U

I agree, ESP ends DEC-15.

[PoorUB]

Dealer called and they said the bike is back together.  They could not identify the contaminants, ESP even asked the dealer this question.  They checked crank run out and it was .004. 

And they put it back together??

Seems like a weird way to "repair" an engine, replace parts without finding the failure. I can pretty much guaranty the engine will get torn down one more time, hopefully before the ESP runs out.

[Grillfish]

Picked it up last evening.  Quiet as a mouse at start up, at least for now.

The spec sheet did show installation of 1 "C" lifter, cam support plate, gasket kit and oil pump assembly.  So maybe it was one "B" lifter that went, not sure.  I'm going to run it for few hundred miles and then change the oil/filter and go from there.

My wife said keep it until the ESP expires then buy a new bike.  My idea, run t until the ESP expires then go to Kirby for an entire rebuild and hop up to 106 or so, since I love my RG.

Well, I have time on my side for another 21 months w/ ESP and can think about it.

Thanks again for the comments and thoughts on the issue.  Appreciate all the experience this site brings, which I do more reading than posting.

[fltrdes]

Way to go, Grillfish. Your ESP may well come in handy again this summer as you 'wring out' this latest repair job. As long as they used OEM parts your bike is covered under your ESP. If any more noise develops then I would suggest you have them swap the cams with SE set and a set of SE lifters with Quick Install push rod set. I would suggest an oil change with these new parts at around 250 miles and have your oil sample run through Blackstone Labs http://www.blackstone-labs.com, they may find the trace of the contaminants that was the original issue. Contact them for details on how to collect the sample and a free sample kit.
It is a bit odd to put a new lifter roller against a used cam lobe. New cams AND new lifters is the industry standard. Depending on what your oil analysis turns up, if anything, then run another 1000 miles to the next oil change (run another Blackstone Lab test on that one, too). If all clean, then run whatever oil change interval you normally do.

[Ohio HD]

With flat tappet cams, I would agree that there should be new lifters and cam in a set. With a roller cam and lifters, as long as the cam lobe is good, a new roller lifter will work just fine with the used cam. Roller cams and lifters don't create the same type of wear in that flat tappet cams do.

[FSG]

     but with the bad rep the "C" Lifters have they only changed the one   

[Ohio HD]

I guess he really didn't have a choice as it was warranty.

What's worse than one 'C' lifter in your motor? Four 'C' lifters in your motor...   

[Grillfish]

I guess he really didn't have a choice as it was warranty.

What's worse than one 'C' lifter in your motor? Four 'C' lifters in your motor...   

Yup, one "c" lifter and I thought the same thing Ohio.

fltrdes:  Good idea about the Blackstone oil sample.  Almost ran 200 miles yesterday so will look into it after bike week ends.

[Ohio HD]

I guess he really didn't have a choice as it was warranty.

What's worse than one 'C' lifter in your motor? Four 'C' lifters in your motor...   

Yup, one "c" lifter and I thought the same thing Ohio.

fltrdes:  Good idea about the Blackstone oil sample.  Almost ran 200 miles yesterday so will look into it after bike week ends.

It should be fine, there has been less than stellar feedback on the 'C' lifters. But there are a lot of bikes out there running with them in.

[fltrdes]

I guess he really didn't have a choice as it was warranty.

What's worse than one 'C' lifter in your motor? Four 'C' lifters in your motor...   

Yup, one "c" lifter and I thought the same thing Ohio.

fltrdes:  Good idea about the Blackstone oil sample.  Almost ran 200 miles yesterday so will look into it after bike week ends.

Get on Blackstone Lab website and fill out the form for them to send you the free sample kit now. It will take awhile to get to you by mail, that way you'll have it when you are ready to dump your oil AND you'll have a chance to review the correct procedure to take the sample.

[Grillfish]

I guess he really didn't have a choice as it was warranty.

What's worse than one 'C' lifter in your motor? Four 'C' lifters in your motor...   

Yup, one "c" lifter and I thought the same thing Ohio.

fltrdes:  Good idea about the Blackstone oil sample.  Almost ran 200 miles yesterday so will look into it after bike week ends.

Get on Blackstone Lab website and fill out the form for them to send you the free sample kit now. It will take awhile to get to you by mail, that way you'll have it when you are ready to dump your oil AND you'll have a chance to review the correct procedure to take the sample.

Did that yesterday.  Thanks!