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Engine build date determination

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by Harleypops, Nov 10, 2009.

  1. Harleypops

    Harleypops New Member

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    Have been looking at Heritage Softails -- going to give my RoadKing to my son in law -- have ran into comments about 1999 and early 2000 engine builds that have inner cam bearing problems. Internet searches tell me that an engine built before Dec. 14, 1999 would have the bad ball bearings and not the roller bearing update. Found the phone number (1-414-343-4056) harley has that you should be able to call , give the vin number and get the engine build date -- haven't done that yet, but going to look at a 2000 model today and will try that. My question is --- is there a website that you could put the vin number into that would give the build date -- would be a lot easier -- if there is I haven't found it. If anyone has a comment about the bearing problem, or of this vintage engine in general, I'd like to hear it.

    Thanks, Stan
  2. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    H pops yes the earley TC ** had cam bearings troubles , But 99.9 have been fixed on recall from HD , you shou;ld be able to run through any HD dealer to see if they have been changed , My bro-in-law has a earley 2000 model & it had the recall from HD & after 61K miles still running strong ( just about two week's ago now he did do the can tenshenions chang to the new HYd like the 96 in have & also did a 95 in top end )
  3. Harleypops

    Harleypops New Member

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    Cowboy, the internet is telling me harley acknowledged the problem, but would not install the fix until the ball bearings gave out -- that sounds like it would not have been good business on harleys' part if it is true --- boy, you could be stranded anywhere, or worse dead from it. Surely they did the recall like you said -- I'll try to confirm that and post.
  4. Harleypops

    Harleypops New Member

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  5. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    That is what happened to me on a 99 Roadking, It went out then HD repaired it.
  6. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    h pops you know stubb's bad rep , that's where he bought his Tc 88 it's a 2000 model he bought it in oct 1999 he took it in for the 500 miles check & stubbs told him he had to leave it & did the bearing change no trouble at all , tok them about a week
  7. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    other than the bearing the 00's are fine
    my heritage has 60K

    If he had the bad bearing problem it's unlikely you'd have gotten to
    the mileage it has without it going fubar

    To be safe I would pull the cams, install woods tw-6 cams
    to increase the power, this will assure you have new bearings
    plus upgrade the lifters to the new B lifters and check and change out the cam chain tensioners because after 10 years I'd bet they are shot or just about shot.

    how many miles are on it?
  8. Harleypops

    Harleypops New Member

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    Hotroadking, just got back from looking at the 2000 heritage --- it has 12,000 miles on it --- a beautiful bike and the price is right. I haven't done anything to check the bearing replacement as yet -- with that milage would it have already gone out if they had not been replaced? You have an estimate of the cost of your recommended cam and lifter upgrade? Thanks, Stan
  9. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    If it were me I'd ask for copies of the service records
    see if it was properly maintained, no records, then
    it might or might not have been serviced

    however with 12K it's had 1K a year and probably
    not a problem bike

    If the owner is original they should know if it the bearings were changed

    Ask who the dealer is for service, see if they did the work.

    I wouldn't be concerned about the bearings, if you can do some work
    it's not that hard

    A set of cam plate bearings, new tensioner shoes, gaskets and lifter (the code B is the newer revised edition of the lifters)

    $500 or less to replace bearings, lifters, gaskets would be my guess
    add $300 if you replace the cams, and I would at that point, why not
    you are in there and no need to do it twice.

    If you don't have the tools or ability let a shop do it.

    Or get a service manual and parts manual from the dealer, worth it's weight in gold and
    see what is involved and if you can handle the work..

    At least drop the cam cover and inspect the shoes and check out the type of bearings in the plate.
  10. Harleypops

    Harleypops New Member

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    Hotroadking, I appreciate your comments -- I'm a little late with this note, but have been out of town. I did end up buying the 2000 softail -- with you guys comments and some computer research (here is a good link that details a cam change: Cam Change ), didn't appear to be that difficult to change out. I really like the new bike -- and for me, with my frame size, it handles much easier than the roadking -- going to gift the roadking to my son-in-law on Thanksgiving day -- can't wait to see his expression -- will miss it, but don't need two bikes.

    Thanks again, Stan
  11. HarleysLR

    HarleysLR Active Member

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    good site, thanks for the link
  12. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    I love my 00 Heritage, and I like the way you sit in it vs on a Road king

    wish it had a bit more cornering clearance...

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