Cam cover installation
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 239
Likes: 1
From: columbus, ga
Cam cover installation
Next week, I will be doing a number of things to the bike. Im putting on 12 inch bars and in order to change out the clutch cable, i will have to remove the exhaust and figured if Im going to have it off, I might as well go ahead and change the transmission and cam cover to the wrinkle black along with the primary. The transmission and primary covers are pretty straight forward. My problem is with the cam cover.
Ive seen two different ways to go about the installation. According to most threads Ive seen, you just pop the old one off, put on a new gasket, instal the new one and you are done. According to others and the service manual, there is more to it involving magnets and hold the lifters in place while doing the swap.
It seems to me that the route dealing with holding the lifters in place only needs to be done if you are going to be doing any other work around the cams. From looking at multiple pictures and videos, I dont think all of that is neccessary just to replace the cover, however any input or guidance would be really appreciated.
Ive seen two different ways to go about the installation. According to most threads Ive seen, you just pop the old one off, put on a new gasket, instal the new one and you are done. According to others and the service manual, there is more to it involving magnets and hold the lifters in place while doing the swap.
It seems to me that the route dealing with holding the lifters in place only needs to be done if you are going to be doing any other work around the cams. From looking at multiple pictures and videos, I dont think all of that is neccessary just to replace the cover, however any input or guidance would be really appreciated.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 414
Likes: 112
From: illinois
I replaced my cam cover and all I had to do was unbolt the old one and bolt on the new one. The only thing that came out was about a cup of oil since it was leaning over on the kickstand. I didn't have to mess with anything else.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,400
Likes: 284
From: Fort Worth, TX
The only thing to do when replacing the cam cover is to take the old one off, clean the mating surfaces, install a new gasket and the new cover...We are talking about a twin cam correct?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 239
Likes: 1
From: columbus, ga
Yea twin cam. Thats what I thought, but when I read the service manual, it through up some red flags. I believe the service manual is instructing you on what do when you are going in to actually work on or inspect the cams rather than just replacing the cover. I just wanted to make sure others had just swapped them out without any issues. Im not worried about oil. Im going to be doing the tranny cover and primary at the same time and then putting all new fluids into the bike. Thanks for the help.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 410
From: Puyallup, WA
If you remove the cam support plate and cams, you will need to support the lifters. The cam support plate is inside the cam cover. To remove the cam cover, just unbolt it and bolt new one on. Check shop manual for torque and sequence of the bolts.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
One quick tip on the cam cover replacement. Ride the bike up onto a plank so that both wheels are on it. I use two small sections of 2x6, one for each wheel. This will allow the bike to lean more to the left on the jiffy stand so there won't be any oil running out when you remove the cam cover. It is a dry sump motor but it's never completely dry.
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