Hi all, biking all my life but a first time Harley&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; owner. Just bought a 2000 FXDS and found out the 'check engine' light reads out problems with the cam bearings. I bought this bike from a guy out of state (RI)&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;who says he bought it from a dealer in Michigan. Now we don't know if the cam bearing and tensioner issue had been taken care of during the recall or not. Some mention it could be just the sensor acting up. So my question: what would it take for me to pull the cam cover and inspect the tensioner (if it's not been replaced by the full gear cams). Will oil come pouring out,etc.The bike is schedueled to go into the shop next Tues for the conversion, today is Friday, and if I get a quick answer I can be sure I will be having work done that is nessacary. In other words how do I know whether or not this machanic is on the up and up. If this cam had been attended to I would like to know in advance. Thanks for any and all responses. Hope I made myself clear here.

 

You can get a cam chest cover gasket and check yourself with not much oil loss at all if you leave it on the jiffy stand. Exhaust will have to be lowered/removed. But you can only really check the outboard tensioner. The inner one is not really visable and just because the front one is good does not mean the other is.

 

The inner one is not really visable and just because the front one is good does not mean the other is.
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Thanks outback, I suppose I'll let the professional tend to it.
Ride safe
&nbsp\\;
Bill

 

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&nbsp\\;I have never heard of a sensor for the cams or cam bearings. The 2000's did have problems with the cam bearings self destructing. HD did have a recall/repair program, I do believe your bike is way out on the time limit. While the shop is in the cam chest doing the repair ask them to install the "B" lifters, it's an upgrade lifter. A dealer could/ should be able to tell you by VIN that your bike was repaired under the recall.

 

Great, thanks for the tips.