Cam chain breaks case cover

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Mar 15, 2017 | 07:56 AM

#11

cggorman

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2014

Posts: 11,448

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From: NW Ohio

The two best options seem to be either gear drive cams (pricy and requires a straight crank) or the cyco shoes on stock tensioner arms (cheap and easy, but not sure if they're available for hydraulic upgrade).

Mar 15, 2017 | 08:07 AM

#12

boston jim

Contact IB Sales to have your account opened

Joined: Feb 2011

Posts: 381

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From: WORCESTER,MA

I see an early spring, sticking up thru that mess! The whole system is contaminated, despite what H-D says! Years ago, H-D explained that a catastrophe like this, would be contained in the Cam Chest ONLY! Not True! Donny Petersen explained this Exact problem in a AIM article, 10/12 years ago? Donny said, it needs to be completely taken apart & inspected! No short cuts! Good Luck!

Mar 15, 2017 | 08:26 AM

#13

Campy Roadie

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 11,814

Likes: 5,120

From: SW Ohio

Got dam!

You showed me one I've never seen before. I'd pull the engine and do a complete rebuild AND R&R the pan and flush the passages.

Mar 15, 2017 | 08:26 AM

#14

boston jim

Contact IB Sales to have your account opened

Joined: Feb 2011

Posts: 381

Likes: 36

From: WORCESTER,MA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Durango Dave

What year is your twin cam? Do you have the spring loaded cam chain tensioner? The hydraulic tensioner is much better but still not immune from failure.
The chain broke but did a failed tensioner cause the chain to break?

Hey Durango, looking at the photo, I saw the end of the spring sticking up! When I went back, I noticed the Silent Chain (cheese grater), that's a 99 to 06 motor! If it was me, & that would never happen to me, I've known about this problem since 1999! If it WAS me, & I loved the Bike, & it was an 99 thru 02 with the forged crank, & they were true, i might go with the Gear Drive! Any other Scenario, I'd be going with the S&S 124T ! NO DOUBT !

PS, An Evo, would never do this !

Mar 15, 2017 | 08:51 AM

#15

F86

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2015

Posts: 2,840

Likes: 900

From: Philly Suburbs

Quote:

Originally Posted by cggorman

Zipper's makes some pretty trick hydraulic tensioners as well:

http://www.zippersperformance.com/al...ensioners.html

Mar 15, 2017 | 09:14 AM

#16

Yamaharley

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2016

Posts: 2,530

Likes: 546

From: Wayne County, PA

I had an issue like this with my Buells primary chain when it got too loose. It wound up on itself and put a hole in my primary cover. I had to flush the trans a dozen times to get all the metal out. It sucks but you have little choice but to pull the motor apart and do it right. I wish you the best.

Mar 15, 2017 | 12:57 PM

#17

bettingpython

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2013

Posts: 2,083

Likes: 247

From: Tulsa, OK

Yep this just confirms my decision to put the gear drives in sooner than later. Total tear down time.. sorry man.

Mar 15, 2017 | 01:08 PM

#18

NORTY FLATZ

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2015

Posts: 16,013

Likes: 7,137

From: Sandy Eggo's North County

Anyone gotta guess why the chain developed 2 ends?
Chain slack?
Chain "whip?"
Chain too tight?
Just worn out?

Or, are we blaming the chain adjustment device for the failure?

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Mar 15, 2017 | 01:23 PM

#19

Jackie Paper

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 38,586

Likes: 6,435

From: Honah Lee

How could you have ripped those links into? There is nothing on the chain that looks like what grooved the cover out. How fast was it turning when it did that? How many miles?
Don't thing a Harley is an interference engine. Stock has valve reliefs in piston just for that.. Am I wrong?

Mar 15, 2017 | 01:39 PM

#20

Durango Dave

Road Captain

Joined: Aug 2015

Posts: 578

Likes: 522

From: Durango CO

Quote:

Originally Posted by NORTY FLATZ

Anyone gotta guess why the chain developed 2 ends?
Chain slack?
Chain "whip?"
Chain too tight?
Just worn out?

Or, are we blaming the chain adjustment device for the failure?

I think your last guess is right. The adjuster wore out and failed causing the chain to break.