88 cam chain tensioners
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,374
Likes: 5
From: redbank new Jersey
I just talk to my harley shop about this and they were like OH JUST LEAVE IT ALONE TILL U HEAR NOISE. I was not happy about what they had to say....I did meet one nice guy at harley that new me and he told me the new pads they sell are way better then the ones that the bike has on there now. He was saying not to do the kit just to have the newer pads put on and then leave it be. I just was not happy how harley kind of ran me out of there telling me this cam tensioners thing is not a big deal.... I have 10,200 miles on my bike so maybe ill wait till 25,000 and thing about what i should do.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,374
Likes: 5
From: redbank new Jersey
I am just about ready to have the cam chain tensioners checked and most likely replaced. 20,000 miles. There is a redesigned tensioner set that is supposed to outlast the original equipment. Gear drive cams (which I pretty much ruled out) and the hydraulic cam chain tensioner kit from HD.
05 Fatboy TC88
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
Anyone using this? Comments?
Suggestions?
Thanks
05 Fatboy TC88
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
Anyone using this? Comments?
Suggestions?
Thanks
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,374
Likes: 5
From: redbank new Jersey
Or I was thinking of this idea not do the kit that cost 450 dollars but when I get around 25,000 miles just have cams done and at that time just put the newer style stock pads and and call it done and let it go for 25,000 more miles.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 362
Likes: 1
From: New York
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 762
Likes: 1
I have an 02 Road King Classic and began worrying about my tensioners after reading information online, including this forum. I have 33K miles on it now and just replaced the tensioners about 3 weeks ago. I went with S&S Gear Drive with 510g cams and had a Daytona Fuel Manager also installed. I can't even explain the difference in riding the bike now! The acceleration, smoothness of the engine, increased torque and power throughout the RPM range is very noticeable, especially riding through the curvy mountain roads here in N. GA. I haven't ever had it on a dyno, but #'s aren't important to me anyway so there's no way to know the increased power that's was produced. I also have Rush slip ons, and stage 1 screamin eagle, but that's it. I do know now that I can out-run my friend who has a 2003 Heritage, before I replaced the tensioners, our bikes when we raced them a little ( you know, up to about 80 on isolated back roads) had about the same power. But now, my bike is clearly faster after several runs that we made a few days ago. There is a little noise that's made by the gears, but is barely noticeable. I had thought about going with the upgraded tensioner kit that's on the 07 and above bikes, but I plan on really putting the miles on this bike and didn't want to have to worry about future tensioner replacement down the road. Here's a picture of the tensioners (see above avatar) that were removed. As you can see, the inner tensioner (which is the difficult one to check) was completely worn. I also never heard any unusual noises and didn't have any idea that there was a problem. Best place that I found gear drive set was from phat performance parts online.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 762
Likes: 1
Also, if you're dead set on the upgraded tensioner set up, here's the kit on ebay for $362.00 buy it now with $5.00 shipping.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HARLE...Q5fAccessories
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HARLE...Q5fAccessories
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
http://www.harleyhog.co.uk/camguidepage1.htm
http://www.harleyhog.co.uk/tensionerinstall.htm
You can rent the specialty tools or do the "oven method". Google harley oven method cams ... and you will find more info. Get a manual also. Did mine using the oven method and kept the original tensioner setup. Also used stock push rods rather than adj's. Saves money but takes more time.
Like I told the op, its worth throwing in some cams once you are into it this far.
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 600
Likes: 2
I had my cam chain tension shoes replaced twice on my RK. First set was at 47,000 miles, second set was at 77,000 miles. For each time the bike preformed poorly, did hear a slight abnormal noises in the cam case area. I cut open the oil filter and spread the filter medium out and found very small pieces of dark orange particles within the filter fiber, it was time to change the shoes they weren't to bad but it was time.