I know this subject has been beat to death, but I have a question I have never been able to find the answer to despite hours of searching.

Can I replace the spring tensioners on my '04 RK with the hydraulic ones without a new cam plate? This is only for cost savings. I can do the work, but at the moment I don't have the cash to do the entire upgrade to the Screaming Eagle kit and it's already apart.

I cannot determine if the existing cam plate will even accept the newer hydraulic parts.

James.

 

Nope you can't.. You don't necessarily need to use the screaming eagle plate. You can use an 07 up cam plate and oil pump (pumps are different) but will need what is called a conversion cam. A conversion cam has a journal that matches the newer cam plate but has a smaller diameter crankcase side bearing to fit the early cases.

I suspect that the SE kit is cheapest unless you can find a set of conversion cams cheap.

 

Why would you want to? For about $200, you are good for another 13+ year of reliable running. And unless you replace the cams, that inner cam will still have that link chain. With hydraulics, it will be lucky to go 20K.

 

Thanks guys. I think I will just replace the shoes. My bike runs just fine for me. I ordered a kit that has shoes, gaskets and an install tool for $79.00.

Stock is fine for me.

 

I just did the hyd upgrade w/andrews 21 conversion cams for less than $700 by keeping an eye on ebay for deals