Early TC Issues?
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 309
Likes: 39
From: Southlake Texas
Early TC Issues?
I've heard from many riders that my bike is prone to issues as the first year of the twin cam. I've been ignoring them. Today I road without a helmet and noticed a little clatter from the cam side...only between 1500 to 2000 RPM. Above and below it is silent (except for the obvious exhaust note). Might be time to pay attention. I searched for information in the tech section, but I think most bikes have been modified long before...so it's old news and I can't go back far enough to learn any details.
Can some old head fill me in on exactly what the issues with the first year TC's were...and what to look for/modify?
Can some old head fill me in on exactly what the issues with the first year TC's were...and what to look for/modify?
Last edited by CJD197; May 11, 2016 at 07:33 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,440
Likes: 1,124
From: Highlandville, MO.
How many miles do you have on your bike??? Pull your cam cover and check your cam chain tensioner shoes ,, inside and outside,, that is a noted problem on the early TC's.. Some will wear out pretty early , 20,000 miles or so. also heard of many people having them last 50,000 plus... you dont want them falling apart in there, they can cause much more damage then.. You can upgrade to hydraulic ones
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,448
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From: NW Ohio
To the best of my knowledge, the early 88s were the strongest of the bunch but had a problem with cam chain tensioner shoes wearing prematurely. My 99 twin cam has about 55k on it. I just checked the tensioner shoes (second set) and they are about 50% worn. No leaks. No noise/rattles. I'd say it's a champ. Also...no EFI bullshit.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 309
Likes: 39
From: Southlake Texas
Only 3k miles. The sound would be about what I would expect a loose chain to make. Sort of a "clickity rattle" sound. I'll study the manual about the tensioners and pop it open first thing next week (got family stuff the next few days).
Thanks to both of you for pointing me in the right direction.
I did find in the archives some talk about camshaft bearing upgrades. Was that also a weak area in the early TC's?
Thanks to both of you for pointing me in the right direction.
I did find in the archives some talk about camshaft bearing upgrades. Was that also a weak area in the early TC's?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,448
Likes: 2,299
From: NW Ohio
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 98
From: north of the south pole
In '99 initially Twin Cam engines were manufactured using two ball bearings to support the twin camshafts on the right side. The rear ball bearing often failed. The factory supposedly fixed the problem in late 2000 by upgrading the cam support plate and replacing the ball bearing for the rear camshaft with a roller bearing. Check your bearings and cam chain tensioners.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Pine Flat Dam/South Bay Area, CA
http://www.harleydavidsontensioner.com/
This link helps explain the problem & the remedy for early T/C tensioner issues. If you use the Cyco chain tensioner pads you'll be good to go. Check your lifters when you have the cam chest apart.
This link helps explain the problem & the remedy for early T/C tensioner issues. If you use the Cyco chain tensioner pads you'll be good to go. Check your lifters when you have the cam chest apart.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 309
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From: Southlake Texas
Excellent info...thanks, especially for the articles. I think I have a handle on what to look for now.
Has anyone converted their INA inner cam bearings to the Torringtons recommended in the article? I wondered if the INA's can be pulled out from the cam side without removing the crank?
Has anyone converted their INA inner cam bearings to the Torringtons recommended in the article? I wondered if the INA's can be pulled out from the cam side without removing the crank?
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 98
From: north of the south pole
Excellent info...thanks, especially for the articles. I think I have a handle on what to look for now.
Has anyone converted their INA inner cam bearings to the Torringtons recommended in the article? I wondered if the INA's can be pulled out from the cam side without removing the crank?
Has anyone converted their INA inner cam bearings to the Torringtons recommended in the article? I wondered if the INA's can be pulled out from the cam side without removing the crank?