cam chain tensioners!
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 239
Likes: 1
From: billings,montana
cam chain tensioners!
hi guys! i've got a 2006 road king with 20,000 miles on the clock. i'm getting ready to install new after market exhaust system, i thought i would pop the cam chain cover and examine the tensioners. is there an easy way to examine the back cam chain tensioner without taking the motor apart? 
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I've seen reference to a dentist's mirror in some discussions. This subject has been covered ad nauseum previously, which makes finding useful contributions difficult, so hopefully an expert will call by soon.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
This is the classic walk through: http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.c...ner-check.html
I did not find the use of the mirror to be particularly satisfactory in regards to inspecting the inner chain tensioner. The viewing area is quite small, and I was not confident in making a judgement based on the limited view provided via the mirror. Since my bike had almost 50k on it, I simply opted to remove, inspect and replace.
I did not find the use of the mirror to be particularly satisfactory in regards to inspecting the inner chain tensioner. The viewing area is quite small, and I was not confident in making a judgement based on the limited view provided via the mirror. Since my bike had almost 50k on it, I simply opted to remove, inspect and replace.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 5,220
From: Michigan
JMO, but if you're planning on keeping your bike for a while why not go ahead and replace/upgrade your cam tensioners now and be done with it while the weather prevents you from riding?
My 2000 Ultra had 39,000 miles on it before I upgraded to a "95" Big Bore Kit (and replacing the OEM tensioners) but I know a guy with a one-owner '03 Fat Boy that lost an engine at 25,000 miles due to the tensioners failing and plugging the oil passages.
Eventually (at 76,000 miles) I upgraded my bike with the S/E Hyd. Kit
but going with an all-gear set-up is also a consideration to totally eliminate future problems.
My 2000 Ultra had 39,000 miles on it before I upgraded to a "95" Big Bore Kit (and replacing the OEM tensioners) but I know a guy with a one-owner '03 Fat Boy that lost an engine at 25,000 miles due to the tensioners failing and plugging the oil passages.
Eventually (at 76,000 miles) I upgraded my bike with the S/E Hyd. Kit
but going with an all-gear set-up is also a consideration to totally eliminate future problems.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 5,220
From: Michigan
Trending Topics
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 7
From: D/FW Texas
if you're going to the trouble to look, then do the right thing and upgrade to the new hyd. system. Change your inner cam bearings is even more important. My 06 lost the rear cam bearing at ~40,000, which took out the oil pump, which meant a whole engine re-build. At this time, my tensioners were still in great shape. I went with a gear drive setup, and will never have worry about tensioners ever again.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post