I'm sure this top has been discussed at length so please forgive any redundancy. I'm looking to buy my first HD and have read quite a bit about this issue. Apparently it affects a significant percentage of the larger V-twins (I guess the Sportsters don't have the problem.

Has anyone had one of these failures? What is the recommended maintenance (or inspections) to avoid them and what kind of repair costs could I be looking at if I plan on riding the bike for several years.

I've heard synthetic oil can delay (but not prevent) problems. Any commentary, experience or advice would be welcome.

thanks:

Jay

 

Inspect them every 20,000 miles. Replacing the pads can be done in your garage if you're relatively handy with a wrench for about $100. It can be more involved like anything mechanical. Plenty of bikes in here with 50,000 or miles with no troubles.

 

The cam chain tensioners in 88" Twin Cam engines will usually wear out between 20,000 and 80,000 miles. you can replace them with the original type, the 96" hydraulic type or go to gear drive cams. I upgraded to the hydraulic type when I did my 95" build. Your dealer's service dept can give you a parts & labor estimate. BTW, your post suggests that you really haven't done much reading on this subject.

 

Thanks guys. Looks like something to look at every 10K miles or so (no worse than adjusting valves on a rice burner - probably not as difficult). The inside one seems seems a bit more challenging to get at for inspection that the outside. I wouldn't attempt a replacement myself.

 

Problem is that there is really no hard fast rule when they will go--USUALLY after 20K, but I knew a guy who's went at 2K on a brand new TC. And, he is the ONLY one I know who had the problem.

Problem seems to be traced to chains that were made with too-sharp link edges. How you ride doesn't seem to be a factor, unless you are one of those riders who are on-off-on-off throttle jockeys. This is just what I have heard.

This problem only affects '06 & earlier bikes.

 

Yea, I picked that up. They went to a hydraulic system in 07. I guess they still wear, but not nearly as quick. I've ruled out bikes older than 07. Thanks!

 

I did my 99 at 34k....they weren't bad, but they were questionable. I did the tensioners plus all my cam bearings for a few hundred bucks in my garage. I have pics on my laptop of the tensioner shoes with 34k on them. I'll post them up later.

This winter I plan on a few mods, like heads and maybe punch it out to 98. While I'm in there I will be upgrading to the later hydraulic style cam support plate.

 

These had 34K miles on them.

 

My opinion, you could have easily gone another 35,000, but why press your luck. I checked my 2002 Fatboy at 20,000 and the tensioners looked 90%. I'll check them again at 50,000. Some go way sooner so be sure to check them. Btw, a dental mirror comes in handy to see the rear one.

 

I went up for an hydraulic system on my '03 Heritage Classic with 88B block. Screaming Eagle or S&S supplies them together with an improved oil pump. It was an advice from the dealer to change for an hydraulic tensioner and I am glad I did it. Not only because of the automatic tension on the chain but also because the higher pressure of the oil pump improves the lubrication of the engine. Keeps it cooler as well in the extreme temperatures here (+105 F and higher). Worth the investment? Nou doubt!