| Author | Message | ||
     Theirishbueller |
Ok guys, looking for some opinions on what you you might do in my situation. I put my 12ss out of service almost a year ago due to an engine knock. Went ahead and pulled the motor, which has been sitting in my garage this whole time. Finally decided I couldn't bare to look at my bike in that condition any longer (or go without riding). So, figured I'd go ahead and put it in the shop for a rebuild. Went with an independent Harley shop here in Houston, have already committed to paying them a bit for them to tell me the rod bearings are out (which I could've figured out myself). It's been a few days since then, I'm waiting to hear back from them on a closer to final price for the complete rebuild. Which is mainly just splitting the cases, machining, new bearings and reassembly I suppose. The question is, about what would you be willing to pay for all that? I know it's not cheap, but I'm wondering what my cutoff would be before I start looking into other options, like buying a used motor and just running that. I do like the idea of keeping my refreshened original motor in my bike, I feel like there's less mystery in that than an unknown used motor. But at what cost? I wouldn't have much of a problem with something around $2500, but what of they hit me with some sort of astronomical price? Am I thinking unreasonably? | ||
| Buellblastrider |
not much help but like you I wanted to keep my original motor in my 04 but my cases were shot so I got a used 12 motor for 1350 shipped. | ||
| Theirishbueller |
Well alright, those morons had my motor for over 2 weeks and still couldn't get me a price on the rebuild because they were waiting on prices for bearings and whatnot from their "harley guy". I told them to forget about it. If that was taking so long, I don't even want to think about how long the actual build would've taken them. So, used motor it is. Next question, what would I be loosing by going with an older motor? (2004-2006) Mine is an 07. Not that I really care that much, I just want to get riding. But there's a few in those year ranges on ebay right now, didn't see any 07's. I'm just not fully aware of the internal differences or upgrades made throughout those years. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Make sure to get your old engine back from your pet morons. Lots of good stuff in there. Heads, tranny, cams...... you know. I don't think there are any real differences in the earlier XB12 engines. The 2006 got a fancy coated oil pump drive gear. 2008 and newer are not going to work for you without lots of effort. Different computers and FI systems. | ||
| Sifo |
I think it was either '07 or '08 that they upgraded the FI system. Pretty sure it was in '07. Does your '07 have a MAP sensor? My '06 does not. Same question with an idle speed solenoid. It should be pretty simple to upgrade an older engine to fit your existing ECM, wiring, etc. assuming all those pieces are in good shape from the old engine. | ||
| Froggy |
You will want an 06 motor. 07 changed the oil pump gear, but there is an alarmingly high failure rate of crankshafts due to a bad batch from the factory. The 06 motor will be plug and play, anything older than that will be a downgrade with crappier transmission, oil pump, and other changes. Sifo's entire post is wrong, as your 07 is the last year for the DDFI2 fuel injection, the 08s came with the next generation. While you could get an 08 motor and modify it to work, or vice versa if you wanted the old motor in a new bike, it is a pain in the ass and involves quite a bit of retrofitting. | ||
| Theirishbueller |
I was aware of the computer changes in 08 (as well as crankshaft changes). Just wasn't sure about the few small internal things changed from 03-07. I guess I'll keep my eye out. Not sure if I'll part out my old motor or hold on to it for a bigger build down the road when money permits. That sure would be fun. | ||
| Theirishbueller |
Little update: picked up my old motor, have an '06 12 motor with 6k or so miles on the way from a badwebber, sent my pipe off to be Drummerfied today. All in all, pretty pumped! | ||
| M1combat |
The older transmissions are most certainly NOT a downgrade Froggy...  If you want the best crank/rods go with the '08, but that has the newer "not as good" trans... Best combo would be an '04-05 with an '08 crank and updated drive gear. For the record... The newer trans shifts better, but isn't as strong and the newer trans spreads the cases under power (you can feel it in the clutch lever). The older trans shifts just fine when you realize you just have to shift it. |
