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Dirt
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 06:36 pm: | 
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Sorry to see the reports of crank failures. FWIW, Here is what I can add.
VIN number 0423 built in Sep 06. Just turned 99k miles on Monday.
I use cheap oil and cheap 87 octane gas, but the engine keeps running without issue.
Put a catch can on at approx 50k miles, which I have been running ever since.
While I have gotten quite a few miles on this bike, I won't jump for joy. The numerous other problems, including current wire harness gremlins have put a big damper on the whole experience. |
Hughlysses
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 06:49 pm: |
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Question...if I rebuild the '07 motor will I just be fixing a motor that will have the same vulnerability? or do the new parts fix the design flaw???
You can have the existing crankshaft rebuilt by someone like Darkhorse Cranks, and hopefully, given their reputation, they will use top-quality components which would be free of whatever QC issue lead to these failures in the first place.
For a little more money, you can install a new 2008-up crankshaft and rods, which gives you a significantly larger crankpin and bearings, and superior rods as well. As I understand it the only change necessary is to replace the left side crankcase bearing with the 08-up part. Otherwise, it is a straight swap. Both Erik Buell Racing and Dark Horse say this is a worthwhile upgrade and is a significant improvement over the 07 crankshaft.
If this is all you have to replace, it might be worth doing. My bike (and Rdkingrider's as well, judging from the photos) was going to require new cylinders and pistons and a new oil pump as well. The cost of the parts alone would have been at least equal to the cost of a decent used engine. Depending on the extent of your damage, you may decide it's not worth the cost of the rebuild. |
Rdkingryder
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 08:02 pm: |
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Folks, just saw on ebay a complete '08 engine, ecu and harness for around $2500 shipped from WA. Something to consider. I'm going the replacement crank. I'm also just going to hone the cylinders and throw some rings in. Almost no debris in the oil when I drained it and the drain plug on had fine metal.
Hugh, do you have the part numbers for the right side bearing? You mentioned there are 4 different ones and I'll just get all 4 since they are less than $8 each to save time. Thanks.
(Message edited by rdkingryder on August 23, 2011)
(Message edited by rdkingryder on August 23, 2011) |
Motorbike
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 09:39 pm: |
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Union Man, I'm really sorry to hear of your troubles, especially since I know you really like that bike, and for good reason. It has been very good to you up to this point.
If you have LaCrosse H-D fix it, would they be installing the 08 crank update or were they just going to use stock 07 parts?
LaCrosse H-D has been pretty good to me so far but honestly, I have not had any service work done there as I do my own, They have been real good on the few parts I have needed so far. ( Exhaust actuator, 2010 wheel and related parts )
I wish I had time to help you with this project. I am real good at spending other people's money! Take care. |
Hughlysses
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - 09:44 am: |
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Hugh, do you have the part numbers for the right side bearing? You mentioned there are 4 different ones and I'll just get all 4 since they are less than $8 each to save time. Thanks.
Roland, I only have the P/N handy for one of the four sizes (each one is a different color) and that P/N is 24647-87 (bearing, gear shaft). I'll look them all up tonight when I get home if someone else doesn't pipe up before then. |
Mnrider
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - 11:30 am: |
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UM
I would recomend removing the engine and sending it to Dark Horse Moto to have the 08 crank installed.
I think it would be best to have an experienced shop with past experience do the overhaul. |
Hughlysses
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - 12:47 pm: |
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I would recomend removing the engine and sending it to Dark Horse Moto to have the 08 crank installed.
I think you're almost going to have to work with a machine shop to do the replacement, and since Darkhorse is experienced on doing the swap, they're a good one to use.
The left side crankcase bearing has to be swapped for the 08 unit and it will require a press (and the proper spacers) for the job. Darkhorse recommended align-honing the right side crankcase bushing after installation of the new left side bearing. Then you have to pick the correct right side crank bearing from 4 possible choices based on the difference in the OD of the crank bushing and the ID of the crankcase bushing.
I'd imagine a knowledgeable HD shop could handle all the above, IF you have one in your area. Otherwise, you have to add the cost of shipping your cases to Darkhorse and back to the cost of the overhaul. |
Motorbike
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - 03:24 pm: |
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The left side crankcase bearing has to be swapped for the 08 unit and it will require a press (and the proper spacers) for the job. Darkhorse recommended align-honing the right side crankcase bushing after installation of the new left side bearing. Then you have to pick the correct right side crank bearing from 4 possible choices based on the difference in the OD of the crank bushing and the ID of the crankcase bushing.
Wow, that is quite a bit of work. Definitely takes more skill and tools than I'll ever have. This really does sound like a job for the pros. I would hate to see you have to go through this again if it does not get done correctly the first time. Might be worth shipping to Darkhorse. |
Union_man
| | Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2011 - 05:53 pm: |
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I went to pick up my broken bike from the dealer today. I decided not to fix the bike.
My plan was to part out the bike as my winter project.
I loaded the bike onto the trailer. As I was about to leave, the Mechanic made me a fair cash offer to purchase my bike. I ate lunch to think it over and decided to accept his offer.
Sold...I am shopping for a new bike.
The good news is that he is going to fix it and ride it. Saving my favorite motorcycle from the scrap heap makes me feel better about things. |
Buewulf
| | Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2011 - 05:58 pm: |
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Good for you. If my bike would have done that to me, I would have set it on fire. So replacing it with a new Uly or something else? |
Mnrider
| | Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2011 - 06:08 pm: |
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Well that sounds OK Pat.
Please let us know what you get. |
Rdkingryder
| | Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2011 - 09:39 pm: |
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Thanks Hugh, sounds like a pretty big undertaking. Oy! |
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