When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Engine Mechanical TopicsDiscussion for motor builds, cams, head work, stripped bolts and other engine related issues. The good and the bad. If it goes round and around or up and down, post it here.
After HD came out with the Twin Cam Engine there were lots of stories of the cam chain tensioner wearing out and destroying the engine after only 30,000 miles. The stories are here and on other forums.
In 2007 Harley Davidson changed the tensioner from being spring driven to being hydraulically activated. This was a big improvement but it didn't fix the problem. I am looking for people with real world experience with the 2nd generation (post 2007) tensioner. How long does it last? How often should it be checked? Everything I read talks about the pre-2007 tensioner and they all say the post 2007 is better. But how much better? Does anyone have any specifics on the new style and it's longevity?
The new hydraulic tensioners will last much longer; lighter pressure and a roller chain.
The problem with the early tensioners was the result of heavy pressure from the link chain. Failure was hit/miss and there are some that have lasted 50k miles without issues. I have two Harleys and tensioners were worn past the service limits at 12K and 25K miles.
The new tensioners are under much less pressure and once the outer links wear a groove in the tensioner it is contact with the chain rollers. While the new tensioners have a good history and will last much longer, IMHO, they are still a maintenance item. Checking every 25K miles would not be unreasonable.
There are no guarantees but there are not many posts on this and other HD forums about failures.
I would have to remove the exhaust to check the tensioners.
I use my cycle every day. It's only got 33,000 miles on it. If no one has these fail that soon on the hydraulic tensioners I may wait till winter to check them.
I changed these out at 43k just because I was replacing lifters. There are many more miles left. This is from a 06 conversation using the 07 cam plate and conversation cams.
I changed these out at 43k just because I was replacing lifters. There are many more miles left. This is from a 06 conversation using the 07 cam plate and conversation cams.
Thanks ses!
That's the real world experience I was asking for. They show wear but nothing like something that is about to cause catastrophic engine failure. I feel much better now. I think the new hydraulic adjusters pretty much fixed the issue.
Last edited by Durango Dave; Sep 12, 2015 at 11:34 AM.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
Twin Cam Chain Tensioner
