for my own sanity
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 633
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From: Sterling Heights, MI
for my own sanity
I have an 85 FLTC I've been bringing back to life. It runs well but is a little noisy and I think for my own sanity I'll change the cam bearing and lifters to be on the safe side. Am I being paranoid? I don't know the history of this bike or the life it has led.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Haslet Texas
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: NW AR
Lifters, yeah, you need to swap those out. Cam bearing, no, you have the good one in there already, unless someone swapped it to the no-so-good one. Certainly inspect it when you have it apart, if you take it down that far. Also inspect the cam, as if a lifter is gone, the cam will probably be gone also.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: la la land jerzey
i have seen INA cam bearings in pan heads for some reason - to add to your list would be the bushings in the rocker arms - and maybe even valve guides - fresh set of pistons and your good for another 50 if you drive like a humanbeing
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Stellar HDF Member
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From: ct
Spend the money and have some fun !!!
I did swap out my cam bearing for piece of mind,$10. From the stealer and It didn't feel and snugger on the old cam,but I know it's new now. Fwiw
I did swap out my cam bearing for piece of mind,$10. From the stealer and It didn't feel and snugger on the old cam,but I know it's new now. Fwiw
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
Many years ago a local dealer had on display a con-rod with the bearing journal jammed tight in it, removed from the flywheels. I think it was out of a Matchless single, the rollers had ground down against each other, then climbed over each other until the lot welded itself together. The owner had ridden his bike until it finally stopped, engine seized thanks to that rod bearing. Doesn't sound as if yours has got that far yet......
Try a set of ear plugs - best tuning aid known!
Try a set of ear plugs - best tuning aid known!
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Lifters, yeah, you need to swap those out. Cam bearing, no, you have the good one in there already, unless someone swapped it to the no-so-good one. Certainly inspect it when you have it apart, if you take it down that far. Also inspect the cam, as if a lifter is gone, the cam will probably be gone also.
It's cheap and gives me piece of mind.