Check your tensioners
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 140
From: NY
Guys,something to think about.
When talking 10,11,12 yr old bikes it's just as much age & extreme heat that over the yrs attacks/degrades the plastic/teflon rubbing blocks on the cam chain tensioners that can at times (not always) lead to them splitting & or cracking & coming apart getting into the motors oiling system as it is the actual amount of miles on i think it would be pre-07 HD's that are 10-12yrs old.
So keep that in mind when talking about pre-07 cam chain tensioners,i think its 07 and newer hd's that got the upgraded cam chain tensioners that last a lot longer.
Scott
Advanced
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 80
Likes: 16
From: Wittmann, AZ
I've worked on several bikes with failed tensioners. lowest mileage I've seen was 21K miles on a 2002. Ate the pinion shaft, essentially totaling the motor. The inner tensioner fails more often in my experience. You can't really check it without pulling the cam plate.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 141
Likes: 4
From: Southeast, TX
Yes, I would say check the old style at around 40K. Too much variance in the life of the old style. I did my 2000 RK at 40K for peace of mind. Then later went to the roller chain and upgrade tensioners. I felt like that was great investment.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 817
Likes: 26
From: PA
front tensioner on 2009 with 50,000 miles. Rear was even better. I put them back in and will check again at 75k. I'm not sure what year HD changed over to these.
See my pic in post below. I had the wrong pic in this post. Now a new pic can't be uploaded.
See my pic in post below. I had the wrong pic in this post. Now a new pic can't be uploaded.
Last edited by beammeup; Jan 11, 2016 at 05:18 PM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,476
Likes: 3,003
From: Charleston, SC
That's a primary chain tensioner.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,132
Likes: 228
From: Garland, TX
My 09 ultra has almost 99,000 miles. The compensator was replaced last summer and they replaced the primary chain tensioners while they were in there.