Haven't ridden Harley for 11 yrs and thinking of purchasing 2009 softail deluxe. Not real familiar with the 96" motor. At what mileage do I need to concern myself with cam replacements or tensioner. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

Your golden,, it was the 06 and older that had an issue.
How many miles?? Just like anything,, is it beat to **** or cared for??
Cared for proper your in for 100K.

 

As long as you're not flogging the hell out of the motor, racing from stoplight to stoplight , and not participating in any burn-out contests you'll live a long and happy life.

 

Other than the oil seals leaking in the '05 / '06 heads that were fixed under warranty, what are all the other issues?

 

The main complaint my wife had when she went from her '99 EVO Heritage Softail Classic to an almost identical '08 T/C 96 was the increased amount of heat the bigger motor generated.


A set of Vance & Hines pipes, a different air cleaner and a SERT tuner made a big difference but the Kuryakyn heat shields (mid-frame, under the seat) really gave her some relief!

 

'06 and earlier, have an issue with the cam tensioner shoes.
Near as I can tell there is no rhyme or reason to the failures. I replace mine @ 50k intervals, and the wear is marginal, a friend had his come apart @ 25k, which ruined his engine.

Several simple fixes... (inspect & replace... gear drive....updated tensioner system) each has it's own merits.

I've decided, next time (150k) I will update with the hydraulic system... maybe the 95 CIC at the same time... no reason to right now as the 88 pulls just fine thank you

(miles not kilometers)

 

I had to change out the compensator under warranty at about 20,000 miles on a 2010 96".

 

Depends on need or want to...

In all my reading in here for the last 8yrs I don't remember having read of a single tennsioner failure with the 96''ers.
I do Seem to remember one member did replace his at 85k only because he was installing new cams..

As far a cam's,, Well,, You need to read up on adding them.. your stock will last well over 100K maintained well... BUT you won't believe the diff adding some good cams will make until you ride a bike that has some added.

With some good Low-Mid TQ cams you'll get a cooler running engine, better mileage, and you can use sixth gear even down to 60 mph easy.
Of course you'll need to add a good tuner, either auto tune or one that needs a Dyno.

I still have the older SERT, (and I really like it), which, back in 07 it was among the best, Nowadays there are several others that will give you a good tune without a dyno.

.

 

I have a '11 96" and like jmorgan had to replace the comp at 35,000 miles. Considering how well I treat my scoot that pissed me off big time. Have 48 thou now and we'll see.


Had a 74" AMC shovel, never a comp problem, just adjust the primary at oil changes. Same thing with an 80" Evo. I think H-D phucked up with this self adjusting primary thing. Do a search and you will find guys replacing comp sprockets at some very low mileage.