Direct vs Chain Cam??
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 3,623
From: SE NC
RE: Direct vs Chain Cam??
i would suspect, no slack, direct contact, nothing to wear out, tensioner, chain stretch, etc. should maintain perfect sync all the time, unless the gears jump, which is doubtful. its also easier to align the marks without a chain on some cam gears.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
RE: Direct vs Chain Cam??
Gear Driven is what Harley should have done in the first place just like the all the previous HD V-Twins.Twin Cams are suppose to be bullet proof from the factory....and chains/tensioners wearing out before 30,000 miles?
Chains were installed for noise pollution.....geeze, what a bunch of B.S.
Chains were installed for noise pollution.....geeze, what a bunch of B.S.
Novice
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Direct vs Chain Cam??
There is also less parasitic lose with the gear drive. With the chains the engine has to over come the chain weight plus the add resistance of the tensioners. If you are ever around an S&S factory booth they will have a display where you can turn both of them with a handle. Big difference!
My 2 cents.
My 2 cents.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,763
Likes: 5
From: Minnesota
RE: Direct vs Chain Cam??
I've heard a lot of people say the got more power when going to similar cams that are gear drive compared to chains. I'll find out after next winter I guess. Plus like the other guys have said, less parts to wear out.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Direct vs Chain Cam??
Ktm_Scott
I'll take a shot here.Parasitic Loss.Meaning the power the enginetakesto power the chain-driven cams. While @ Daytona, a vendor had twoengine displays - one withgear driven and chain drive. They rigged a hand lever to turn the cams. It took a LOT MORE hand effort to turn the chain-drive cams than the gear-drive cams. Add in more precise cam timing and you have a Marketing Bonanza!!!
Not sure why NHRA Pro StockMotors spin 500 Cu In to 10K RPMsusing Gilmer Belt Driven Cams tho
Maybe cam dynamics / valve-train fluctuaction...
But I'm sticking to Parisitic Loss and Marketing...
If and when I do change cams - which is in the works, my choice is gear drive...
I'll take a shot here.Parasitic Loss.Meaning the power the enginetakesto power the chain-driven cams. While @ Daytona, a vendor had twoengine displays - one withgear driven and chain drive. They rigged a hand lever to turn the cams. It took a LOT MORE hand effort to turn the chain-drive cams than the gear-drive cams. Add in more precise cam timing and you have a Marketing Bonanza!!!
Not sure why NHRA Pro StockMotors spin 500 Cu In to 10K RPMsusing Gilmer Belt Driven Cams tho
Maybe cam dynamics / valve-train fluctuaction...But I'm sticking to Parisitic Loss and Marketing...
If and when I do change cams - which is in the works, my choice is gear drive...
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 0
From: Diamond Bar, California
RE: Direct vs Chain Cam??
ORIGINAL: LowriderT
ok sounds like a great thing to do gut what does it cost to have it installed for those of us not up to doing it ourselves? May as well ask how big of a deal is it to diy? Thanks
ok sounds like a great thing to do gut what does it cost to have it installed for those of us not up to doing it ourselves? May as well ask how big of a deal is it to diy? Thanks
The tools cost about the same as having a dealer do it, around 350$
thedealhere is you could sell the tools when your done and make almost allof it back, ordo your buddies bike for a couple of bills and make youmoney back that way.
Or you could "rent" mine for a fee!
If you are doing High Lift cams you may have to do a small amount of grinding with a die grinder to get some extra clearance, I had to do it on my Dyna, but some bikes have the cranck boss notched from the fatory.
In my middle picture you will see the inside of my engine, the crank boss is the dognut shaped area under the cam bearings, this is where i had to grind two half-moons in it to clear the lobes!
the grinding was very minimal
my guides were showing wear at 2500 miles! these things suck! GD is more noisey but I like the sound!
PS that gizmo on the crank shaft is the S&S anti blow by device, IT WORKS!
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