Cam tensioners round 2!
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Cape Cod, Ma.
Cam tensioners round 2!
Well, got my shipment from Fuel Moto and finally got to tear the motor apart. After listening to various noises getting louder over the last year or so, I figured the tensioners were wearing again. I had to pull the motor apart a few years ago when the bike had about 32,000 miles or so. Outer tensioner ok, inner completely shot. Bike now has around 62,000 on it and figured it was time again. Looking at the pics you can see I was right and a bit late again. Looked simialr last time, but, was hoping that it wouldn't be an issue because I had heard that once the chain was "polished" the tensioners would last longer; WRONG!!
Doing away with the old setup for good. Upgrading to the hydraulic setup, 98" Fuel Moto with the TW555 cams and stock heads. Hoping to have got it all put together this weekend but hit a snag when a wrist pin circlip didn't quite get in all the way and before I could get it it shot out to the great beyond. Scoured the shop for 3.5 hours looking for it with no luck. Having another set (in case it happens again) overnighted for tomorrow. Cain't wait to fire this up. Once I get it running I will post impressions. Hope to finish tomorrow night.
Neil
RDMC
Doing away with the old setup for good. Upgrading to the hydraulic setup, 98" Fuel Moto with the TW555 cams and stock heads. Hoping to have got it all put together this weekend but hit a snag when a wrist pin circlip didn't quite get in all the way and before I could get it it shot out to the great beyond. Scoured the shop for 3.5 hours looking for it with no luck. Having another set (in case it happens again) overnighted for tomorrow. Cain't wait to fire this up. Once I get it running I will post impressions. Hope to finish tomorrow night.
Neil
RDMC
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I had a similar thing happen on my 2002. 40K when I changed the tenioners the first time. Opened it up with 60k on it and the tensioners were more worn than they were at 40K with only 20K on them. Went hydraulic.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 723
Likes: 62
From: Cape Cod, Ma.
Cleaned the passages with brake clean etc... as best as possible. The upgrade includes a new cam plate, oil pump and lifters so thaat stuff is new and clean. Flushed the oil tank with diesel and got some debris there. Only thing I can't get without a total tear down is the crank case. Most evrything is flushed or new. Got my fingers crossed, best I can do.
Neil
RDMC
Neil
RDMC
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
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From: Northern California
I had the almost same wear on my tensioners. I did everything you did except flush oil pan with diesel. I had no abnormal metal on my drain plug and not much tensioner, it seems the oil filter caught it or most of it. I hope to be firing mine up this weekend. I also got a bunch of curved magnets for the filter and stuck some to the pan by the plug for the first oil change which I plan to do after first warm up ride as a precaution.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 723
Likes: 62
From: Cape Cod, Ma.
I thought about the magnets, but, I figured most stuff was aluminum or plastic. The only real ferrous items didn't show much or any visable wear except the frame for the tensioner. I was more concerned about the bits of plastic from what is left of the tensioner. I did cut the last oil filter apart and found some orange, but, the drain plug magnet is pretty clean. Hoping the old lifters will have helped filter some stuff (they are good at that) which might explain the top end noises I was hearing before tear down. I shimmed the rockers the last time and everything was good and tight and clean.
Neil
RDMC
Neil
RDMC
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
I went with new S&S lifters, the Baisley oil pump spring and seat, new inner cam bearings, CYCO shoes, cams and adjustable pushrods. Hoping for a quieter motor and more power. Also installing auto tune module and 2007 headpipe.
I just did the magnets as a precaution, wth they were 8 bucks.
I just did the magnets as a precaution, wth they were 8 bucks.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 723
Likes: 62
From: Cape Cod, Ma.
Curious to see how both yours and mine turn out. After doing this twice I wanted to do away with the spring loaded tensioners. I have a baisley spring that I installed in the first cam plate before I had to replace everything. I thought aboout installing it, but, wanted to see how things work first. If needed I can always install later.
Neil
RDMC
Neil
RDMC
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