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In response to the recent thread on cam chain failure, which incidentally I think is rubbish, thought everyone might like to see just what Harley engines are capable of.
Please take a couple of moments simply post model year and mileage of your ride, and any major engine repairs you've needed.
I think we will be surprised, but lets see hey?
Stock cam-chains are fine for a stock motor. When you modify an engine with higher-lift cams and stiffer valve springs, that force will feed back to the cam-chains and tensioner/pads.
2000 Screamin' Eagle Roadglide, bought new in 2000. 130,000 miles so far. I inspected the cam chain tensioners at 57,000 miles, good thing I did, the outer was 90% gone, the inner was metal to metal, Put in S&S gear drive cams. Stator went out at 87,000 miles, replaced it and the regulator. Other than that, just oil, filters, tires, and ride.
My wife rides an '05 FLHT, upgraded to 95" along with the hydraulic cam tensioners at 35,000 miles. They were worn, but probably would have lasted quite a while. 53,000 miles total so far, zero problems.
The original cam drive is a weak point in the twin cam motor. Some may get lucky and run 50,000 miles or more like mine, others might not be as lucky. But, seeing so many used low mileage bikes for sale, there's lots of people who don't put enough miles on to ever have a problem.
2001 Dyna Low Rider with 34,xxx mi. I just bought it 2 months & 3,000 mi. ago. Knew about cam chain tensioner issue & since I need new rear brake pads & have the exhaust off decided to pull the cam cover & check the cam chain tensioners even though I have no current problems. Sure enough the outer pad is worn through about 60%. Didn't even bother looking at inner. Went to the dealer & bought the parts.
79 FX 300,000K and climbing. repairs: 3 bottoms, 4 tops, 3 trans - rebuilt.
Many tires,brake pads, clutches,etc....
Original starter, [WOW] wheels. frame, block, heads, alot of stock parts chromed.
Been riden in 49 states Canada and mexihole.
We were almost killed in '90 - she needed new tins, I needed new face.
96 FB EVO 60K no repairs
07 Rg TC 96 60K = no repairs traded
2011 TC 103 RGU 33K no repairs Totaled so no more miles on that one
replacement on the way
The less you let Bubba touch your Harley the less you let it read the internet the long it runs trouble free
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