H-D Factory Rebuild

H-D FACTORY REBUILD

NOT ALL NEWS OUT OF Milwaukee concerns the Twin Cam 88. On the Evolution Big Twin front, Harley-Davidson has announced a new service: factory engine re-manufacturing.

The process is simple: Take any tired 1984-99 Evo-powered bike to your local dealer, and he’ll remove the engine and send it to Milwaukee.

At the Capital Drive plant where Evos were inally built, the engine will be reconditioned and shipped back, complete with a oneyear, unlimited-mileage warranty. Cost varies only with cosmetics: $1995 for a silver engine and $2195 for a blackand-chrome unit, plus shipping charges and the cost of engine removal and replacement.

According to Motor Company representatives, the program is intended to add life to tired old Evos and send a message that Harley will not forsake Evo owners even as the Twin Cam 88 largely replaces the older powerplant in the model lineup.

Engines rebuilt by the factory will retain their original serial numbers, though they may not employ original parts beyond the engine cases. Cosmetics are updated to the latest spec, with aluminum powdercoat replacing bare aluminum on older engines, and the more durable, current black powdercoat on black-and-chrome motors. If needed, chrome/polished covers will be replaced. Also, engines are rebuilt to their original configurations.

If anyone foolishly sends an engine with an after*4 market camshaft for a rebuild, he’ll get a stock cam on the return. According to Glen Senger, the engineer in charge of the program, “An engine goes back out with the design-intent components on it because we want to make it as simple as possible.” Furthermore, engines will be rebuilt to “new-product specification,” varying only from a new Big Twin via the use of slightly oversize pistons and crankpin.

And what if you send in an engine with rods poking through the cases? Will that jack up the price? Not according to Senger. “There’s just one price. We take the good with the bad, and hope it averages out.” Steve Anderson