Harley Timken Bearing Upgrade Conversion | Performance Harley | Kevin Baxter | Pro Twin Performance

[@rickeysmith7674]

Looks to me like planned obsolescence so things will wear out faster then you can buy another motorcycle to keep them in business thanks for all the educational tips

[@KevinBaxter]

lower cost...quicker production. youre welcome.

[@oldphart-zc3jz]

HD chose roller bearings so they could partially automate engine assembly. Watch videos of the line. Rollers saved HD millions in labor but they cheapened the product since the Timken is acknowledged superior and worked fine since 1936.

[@CalvinBradley]

I enjoy learning how things are done. I’ll never do it but I have a good understanding about it now. Thanks!

[@raycollington4310]

"Thanks a million for watching"! Thanks a million to you Kevin for posting. Love all this technical stuff, it also demonstrates a high level of technical competence within your business, 1st Class Sir, thank you.

[@davidmcmahon5991]

I second that, Kevin is the MASTER of H. D. Motors, so much knowledge he shares with in these videos THANK YOU FOR TIME, EXPERT EXPERIENCE HERE!!!! KEVIN BAXTER👍✔️🤔😎

[@eddybuckhalt8657]

Wow! What a great explanation of crankshaft bearings and crankshaft physics! Thanks Kevin!

[@KevinBaxter]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@joem7572]

Fantastic demonstration on the tool and installation; I can't wait to tear my twin-cam apart and do this modification. If you have a deep sink, hot water and Dawn dish soap are much more effective for washing machined surfaces. Not to say I haven't used the steam clean in a can when I have to, but every engine guy and machinist I apprenticed under at Cummins told me to never trust brake clean to get things perfectly clean. When I was at a basic engine machining class, one of the presentations was on best cleaning practices and they had pictures blown up under a microscope of particles left in blind holes, nooks, and crannies after a brake clean job and simple air blow out. The hot soap and water emulsifies the oil and lifts the particles off the surface, brake clean relies on dissolving the oil and hoping the force of the spray will knock loose the particles. Often time, the particle will remain as the brake clean dries.

[@davepierce7395]

Kevin as always great series it takes a special man to dedicate this much time and effort in order to educate his followers! Greatly appreciated and Happy New Year to you and your family!

[@KevinBaxter]

I appreciate that!. Happy New Year and the best to you and yours Dave!!

[@mchristr]

I'm binge watching your videos and have learned more about H-D engines in the last few hours than I have over the last 8 years. Thanks Kevin. New subscriber.

[@KevinBaxter]

Glad to help thank you!

[@thomaskirkpatrick4031]

Kevin, you're quite the diplomat. If I didn't know any better, I would've thought the factory switched to the roller bearing set up for a good reason, other than saving the company a lot of money on each unit made.

[@bobgoes4129]

Now that is more better, love the machining and the the technical information. Bob

[@mwhitelaw8569]

So that insert provides depth for both inner and outer. Jims has made killer shop tools for decades man Glad they're hookin' it up

[@LWSParents]

All these dudes going to Car College getting themselves in debt, when really all they need do is subcribe to Baxter and smash that like button. Dudes drops more knowledge bombs in a 30 minute bit than a Professor in a semester.

[@davemilbourne7761]

Darkhorse hooked me up on my Timken upgrade on my M8. Great to see how it’s all done. Thanks!

[@fredburmer7306]

Another great video Kevin. Really enjoy the real time unedited footage of the how to's.. The less editing the better! Really like the POV footage with the head camera. You're really taking one for the team wearing that ridiculous looking camera though :) Thanks for doing these.

[@jportugaise]

Amazing... to someone who knew nothing about motors last year. Thank you Kevin, lover your videos!

[@KevinBaxter]

Thanks for watching!

[@jportugaise]

@@KevinBaxter Love to you amazing engineer... you sound like an MIT guy and better. Thanks for making it easy for us "harleys for dummys" lol

[@trooperspirit]

Thanks Kevin, well worth staying up for.. Learnt alot. Keep it shiny side up, and looking forward to part 2. LLR

[@KevinBaxter]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jameslanning8405]

I was under the impression, the INA bearing was a "ball bearing." Now I see it's a roller bearing, but it's a flat roller, and not tapered, like a Tipcon Bearing. It's soooooo depressing, to spend so much money on something, that needs to be completely rebuilt, to "above stock standards," just to have a little peace of mind about the machine your ass is on. I enjoyed that Kevin. I like mechanic 'n on stuff. It's fun seeing someone who knows what they are doing 'most of the time!' Is this case you're working on, the same as my '04' 88ci TC? Being on '04,' does my 88ci TC have the tapered end connecting rods? I've never been inside it... Yet! If I have to crack open the cam chest, to inspect those chain tensioners, I might as well replace them... Even if I can't afford to change to gear driven cams, should I take out the cam plate and have the cam bearings changed on the primary side of the cam chest? Always more questions than time! Peace Kevin...

[@KevinBaxter]

this was an 07....but for the most part, the same as your 04. if you go into the cam chest, certainly install torrington cam bearings.

[@theeastman9136]

That would be a Timken bearing James.

[@myride7216]

I wish Harley would have kept using the Timken setup and the forged crankshaft.

[@LittleMoes_Motivation]

Sorry I missed the premiere..... fantastic video!! This video made me realize how much I miss building engines !!! Your explanations, your pace and the birds eye camera view are fantastic!! And as far as tapered token bearings go, there is a reason they are used as wheel bearings !! Looking forward to the next vid!!

[@KevinBaxter]

Thank you sir!

[@gregoryranlett7868]

I have ALWAYS wanted to see the inside of a case with the flywheels, etc., and I have ALWAYS wanted to see how Timken bearings are installed. I had a Timken upgrade done on my twin-cam, but I had No Idea how it was done! These videos are really GREAT, and I only wish I lived closer to your shop. Well, at any rate, I'll get a chance to talk with you, in person, come August 16th!

[@an88mtdew2u5]

Keep 'em coming bro, thanks.

[@KevinBaxter]

Will do!

[@skippynj1979]

I'm so glad I chose your shop! I'm looking forward already to the next engine you build me after this one!

[@KevinBaxter]

You and me both!

[@Tryke_Ryder]

Marvelous explanation of the process and why it would be done! Excellent video, especially the point of view camera!!!

[@KevinBaxter]

Thank you very much!

[@tcb8295]

Great video Kevin. I had heard of this crank bearing issue, but didn't quite understand the real problem. Now with your explanation and demonstration I understand clearly. Have 60k+ miles on my 03 TC88... knocking on wood (my noggin') that I won't need to do this conversion any time in my future of owning this bike. Thanks again for taking us along for the education. Sorry didn't catch the live feed. Looking forward to next episode...

[@KevinBaxter]

Thank you sir!!

[@travishughes257]

Thanks!! You’re a great teacher and explain things so well!

[@that_mdrfkr4451]

This is awesome brother. Thank you.

[@minigpracing3068]

Missed the premiere, I was out looking for sockets for my next repair, had to order them. Thanks for this, I know from experience that making video of the process slowed you down and I'm looking forward to the rest of this series. I'm going to send you a list of parts for quote once I get my bike torn down, want to wait until it is all apart so I get everything I need at once. This bike always produces a bunch of extra jobs when I do any work on it.

[@KevinBaxter]

Thank you sir!

[@hijodelantorchanunya1572]

Excellent as always. Can't wait for the next installment

[@coryknipe5471]

Thanks from Canada! Excellent video

[@KevinBaxter]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Nifilheimur]

My Road King is 2000 mod so already has the timken bearing so i dont really know why im watcing this but i enjoyed it anyway and learned quite a bit so thumbs up (=

[@Ladder8A]

Fantastic video, you would be a great instructor for new motorcycle mechanics.

[@jonz5978]

Great video! Thank you for your time.

[@KevinBaxter]

My pleasure!

[@stevewehner9540]

Great video I was almost waiting on a basics of thrust when I was watching.. Lol

[@rudy8216]

Absolutely perfect episode to start the new bearing switch over. Kevin you so good at sharing this kind of info and you are the best.

[@gwattsjr]

Great video. Can you explain the difference between tapered rods vs full width rods and why someone would choose one over the other when purchasing a new flywheel?

[@KevinBaxter]

Great suggestion!

[@arnoldriedinger9581]

Hello from Beaumont tx

[@danielbates4137]

Man sorry and I hate I missed the live stream I unfortunately got covid and was napping. I had my evo motor reworked and did a temkin bearing conversion on mine (said my mechanic) but he didn't do the bottom end it was pistons,cam and heads so not really sure which bearings were changed lol. Great video as always

[@KevinBaxter]

all evo's were timken...so there would be no need for a conversion.

[@danielbates4137]

Oh ok well maybe he uncharged me then😫 thanks for the knowledge kevin ur the best

[@wilfredstinissen8309]

Hello Kevin, thanks a lot for posting this video. You explain it damn well. Thank you!!!!!!

[@paulypaulypauly8011]

Very nice Kevin. Thanks for doing that - I’d always wondered about the process and it was good to see a competent and no nonsense explanation of it.

[@KevinBaxter]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@oldphart-zc3jz]

Gotta love how what used to be the standard tapered roller Timken became an "upgrade" because HD discovered plain roller bearings permitted robotic flywheel assembly lines. The Twin Cam is designed as cheap as it can be, like a large Briggs and Stratton. That makes the aftermarket gobs of money in both cases.

[@Simbo551]

Great start Kevin looking to the next video. stay frosty my friend.

[@KevinBaxter]

Thanks 👍

[@lancecourts5943]

Honestly man Best teacher ever These are the best videos.

[@KevinBaxter]

Thank you Lance!

[@derrickhillier1173]

Thanks Kevin for another tech upgrade tip.You wonder,besides manufacturing costs,why HD didn't do this upgrade off the assembly line?The customer has to pay through the nose to acquire one a HD.

[@KevinBaxter]

lower cost and quicker production...

[@flstffatboy3910]

So much information from this channel thank you 🙏 guys

[@Dachamp2001]

Very very detailed video. My buddy had his whole engine done with the Timken barring. I went the easy way out lol. I ordered a S&S 124 create engine. After doing the math it was cheaper. My buddy wanted a full on street and strip engine I'm fine with just a street sweeper. But I would like to swap out the s&s 585 for andrews 67G 😆

[@dannpd1955]

Excellent video Kevin. I never knew any of that. Way cool.

[@KevinBaxter]

Glad you liked it!

[@idaholewis265]

AWESOME Video!! I am in the process of having this done, I am glad i was able to see it here! THANK YOU for your time in making these Videos!!!

[@thorout8377]

Best video so far mate

[@richedmundson8964]

Educational as always!

[@generalpatten5043]

Darn! I wish I had seen the premiere of this video. I have seen another Ytube presenter saying that from 99-02 was a timken bearing setup on the 88's. Kevin at the beginning of this video says it was changed in 02. I have an 2002 88 and would really like to clarify which bottom end I have.....

[@tomskinner6640]

I’ve research this subject in depth and all state 99-02 are tapered timken

[@charlesbritton7186]

Awesome video! Suggestion? Countersinking the holes prior to tapping is a better procedure, it also provides a lead for the tap. (Sorry my 35+ yrs as a journeyman machinist talking...)

[@readtheinstructions1407]

As Spock would say...."Fascinating"

[@garyclay7140]

This is another excellent video, You did a good job explaining the laws of physics, complex engine dynamics, forces, and load that the crankshaft goes through. I love the Timken Bearing Conversion and see the value in the upgrade. The video left me wondering what would be the extra cost in the upgrade, If you were rebuilding a Twin Cam or M8? Again,, THANK You for shearing your knowledge with us.

[@KevinBaxter]

All about lower cost and speeding up production. Thanks Gary!

[@markjensen8372]

I really love in the videos this is a great series I'm learning tons I really can't wait I have you build my motor

[@KevinBaxter]

Glad you enjoy it! I look forward to that as well!

[@tgmidnightrider2831]

Excellent information Mr. Baxter thanks for providing your work in action.😎💪🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@KevinBaxter]

You bet. thank you sir

[@magoolew5131]

I was just going to ask you about Tap-Magic when you mentioned it. We used to use it a lot drilling and tapping where I used to work while drilling and tapping aluminum.

[@darrellalsobrook4491]

Thank you!

[@KevinBaxter]

You're welcome! stay warm!

[@thomaskirkpatrick4031]

After that great explanation of all the forces at play on the crankshaft, flywheel assembly, you've got to wonder what was Harley thinking when they did away with the TIMKEN bearing? It has to be all about cutting costs.

[@kct9967]

A few years back I did a SE 117 conversion, but HD didn't sell the Timkin conversion kit yet, and said that it wasn't necessary, luckily Jim's had them, I can't see running any kind of performance engine without it.

[@stevenielsen3240]

Like the video , it's nice to see what you're doing

[@KevinBaxter]

Thanks 👍

[@loupuleff571]

Just watching now had to work late looking forward to watching This even though I've seen other videos of this conversion.

[@loupuleff571]

great video kevin i think folks would have liked to see more on the taps and type you used and the actual tapping of the adapter in the case i could be wrong maybe i missed it ?

[@bfereclipse156]

I appreciate the video. My shop said I’ve got too much runout and need to rebuild but this definitely shows why it cost so damn much but I see why it’ll be so much better than stock. Awesome video!👍🏽👍🏽

[@PeterSmith-or3pq]

A year , a day . Great job ! . Like the Jims kit ,

[@michaelmorgan5714]

Just out of curiosity is that the same oil I used as an electrician to cut pipe threads.If so the jug used to state that the sulfur was there to help prevent infections in cuts witch happen to every body that works with their hands. I was hopping to watch this live but was drawn to the TV right before hand. I guess some times idiots happen. Great really great video. You have gotten very good at passing on information. Thank You. Mike from Maryland

[@michaelmorgan5714]

Oops. I must have come back and pushed the button again. I'm old and I shows.

[@KevinBaxter]

i had heard the same thing...but never confirmed. but yes....because it's universal for all materials and works for milling, turning, and tapping operations.

[@EXwifeKILLER]

Can’t wait for the next vidya. Awesome stuff glad I found this channel. Being a mechanic and owning my first Harley I now know how they are put together and what to do later on for upgrades

[@scotttucker8127]

Kevin the 2002's have the Timken bearing in them

[@JoseMorales-vw4qf]

You r the man. Your knowledge is a gift. Thanks for sharing it.

[@rickswindell1964]

You’re the man!!

[@KevinBaxter]

too kind. thanks.

[@montewolf3570]

Please do a show about trilling the flywheels

[@IdahoATVlife]

Love the video , Thank you for sharing . Great teacher very clear and understandable.

[@KevinBaxter]

Glad you enjoyed it! thank you

[@devinhutman3435]

I’m always eyeballing that fxr in the background haha

[@eddiealvarez5493]

Damn Kevin, what can one say? But great work! Keep it coming.👊

[@jimkillen1065]

Nice work . Both of my motors have Timken bearings and gear drive cams . I heard that it is not necessary not that I carried . I thought it was for my build and I still do . Thanks for showing how its done and where to get it done

[@002gearhead]

As a person who deals and sales bearings everyday not only is there Timken there is multiple other premium bearings out there ie SKF, INA is a premium bearing and they also a Timken bearing is a brand of bearing

[@alfonsoguzman2099]

Very informative. Thank you

[@chriszasada9756]

Wow, never knew how much movement there was on the crank and cases

[@rabo99]

Amazing work!

[@silvakevin1]

Thanks for these videos! Learning so much. Haha. Like why I would pay you to do it. You’re very talented....

[@stevemontgomery3979]

Good information. Keep on keeping on

[@KevinBaxter]

Thank you, I will

[@TheDanno1026]

I'm having my 96ci twin cam built now to 110 did Timken bearing conversion and going gear driven cam

[@jobuck893]

Thank you for sharing

[@KevinBaxter]

My pleasure

[@tonyjohnson7008]

This is so good!

[@Tommy.McLean]

Brilliant!!! ☝️

[@1towmater1]

I agree with everything you discussed, and timken was the first to produce tapered roller bearings but there is other manufacturers of tapered roller bearings if very high quality. I'm a fan of timken but am not committed to just their bearings

[@PedroTF]

I've never had a Harley, but this is a master mechanic sharing real knowledge, it's great to see. What year would make for a more robust longer lasting engine for Harleys, if you were to keep it stock?

[@heraldlee8112]

Thanx for sharing. Great step by step work

[@blastmasterparker6358]

Great channel really good job on the vids and the expertise and u make it easy to watch

[@dieterglauser249]

THANKS KEVIN 🌎

[@jazzboy]

Absolutely top shelf work!

[@vtwinbuilder3129]

You can buy the SE tools directly from Jim’s for a little less. They are usually blue instead of orange though.....and still cost and arm and a leg

[@pb68slab18]

Wow, what's new is old again. Before 1955, Harley Big Twins used individual rollers and shims. When they wore, ya honed or replaced the sprocket shaft race and thrust plates to fit bigger rollers. I machined quite a few old Pan, Knuck, and BT Flathead LH cases for the '55-up twin cone Timken set.

[@kerrylewis2581]

Great video but I'd like to know how much HD actually saved by deleting the Timken bearing. Did they have to delete because of the change in accepted tolerances of the crank?

[@KevinBaxter]

as for how much saved? hard to say. but it came down to cost and faster production.

[@markchapman2411]

Cylindrical roller bearings are super cheap when compared to tapers, especially with a matched set as used in this video.

[@Red66gp]

Great video.

[@car5car5]

Kawasaki Vulcans don't need any bearing upgrades! I had 3-4 Vulcans 1500, never had a problem!

[@roncoburn7771]

on the m8 some builders will do Timken conversation and some wont i hear about the case cracking its hard to no what to do sometimes because you dont no who to listen to but lots of things are like that

[@larryhill7563]

Changed mine

[@jeffhudson1744]

great video.

[@MoMo-ik8dv]

I’ll drive across the country to take my bike to you!

[@scotttucker8127]

The reason I know is because I have a 2002 Harley Davidson Fatboy limited edition which has the Timken bearing in it

[@stickmanrick2700]

Very cool big thank you

[@davidmitchell9048]

Great Info! Thanks

[@KevinBaxter]

You bet!

[@koolsolutionszx12r55]

I have respect for any man that does things the right way. You Sir do things correctly. That said it's a shame you waste such talent building what's likely the sorriest, weakest, engine design in history.