My brother has a '99 Wide Glide with 100,000 miles on it. It has never had the cam
bearing problem. He said the dealer told him when he bought it that it was a '99 1/2
year model and the cam bearing problem had been fixed. They even extended the
warranty.
Anyway, the cam position sensor went out on it the other day and when he replaced it, he started the bike and it ran fine. He changed out the exhaust and cleaned it up to ride this past weekend. When he started it, he said it sounds like a rod knocking or something
in the bottom end. Would this sound be cam bearings or something else?
He has never ran it out of oil, so that is not the problem.
Suggestions............

 

Have the cam chain tensioners been checked, with that mileage could be the tensioners

 

I Agree.....buddy had to change lifters and cams at 105 K on his-now he has 124k on it and runs good! (And we race frequently!!!)

 

I have recently noticed a progressively louder knock that appears to be coming from bottom end. Just had screaming eagle hydraulic cam tensioner kit installed in December cam shoes were wore out!! inner shoe broke corner piece off. It was noisy when all this was happining but not like the knock I'm hearing now!! bike has 38k. Curious to know what you find out with your friends.
Also any other input would be cool thx!

 

He changed the exhaust and it started knocking? First thing I'd check for is an exhaust leak.

 

I've heard of lifters going bad right away...it is possible,I guess. Keep us posted!

 

Turns out he didn't let it run long enough to pump up the lifters. Seems they had
leaked down because it sat for a while and just rattled until they pumped back up.
Thanks for the responses.


Harlie Rider

 

noisy rockers and valve train are a long way from the CC.

 

Did you replace the lifters when you changed the cam plate? When the roller bearing goes out on the lifters most engines will exhibit a rap or knock that sounds like it's coming from the bottom end. I'd have a look at the lifters.

 

I had to replace the pistons and cylinders at 96K because of piston slap. Also, by changing pipes, it may be too lean and causing even more rattle from the lean condition. just a guess, but you may want to check that out.