Cam tensioner heartaches!!!!
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6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Twin cities area
Cam tensioner heartaches!!!!
Checked my cam tensioners on a new (to me) 2003 ultra. Thought I would save the shop fees ($75.00) and check them myself. Well....broke the inner front exhaust stud, cracked my exhaust pipe and now I'm not sure if I should go any farther!!!!! Ugh!!!!
I fear that I might really screw something up! I thought I could turn a wrench but now I'm wondering.the tensioners are Definately bad! (Previouse owner said it had been done. It also needs a belt.pulley sure he knew that!)
Had someone tell me to button it up and send it down the road to someone else. Not my style. I'll either fix it out have an Indy do it. Thoughts?
I fear that I might really screw something up! I thought I could turn a wrench but now I'm wondering.the tensioners are Definately bad! (Previouse owner said it had been done. It also needs a belt.pulley sure he knew that!)
Had someone tell me to button it up and send it down the road to someone else. Not my style. I'll either fix it out have an Indy do it. Thoughts?
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 222
Likes: 2
From:
Have someone who knows how to do the job right for you. To easy to mess something up. I have had 3 pre 2007 tc88 motors and have always had it done professionally as to avoid damage. Just my two cents. Good luck!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 263
From: Catalina AZ
Question: have you ever worked on cars/trucks/motor cycles (small engines) exc?
If you have and not had a problem ( if you have some mechanical capability) it may not be you.
Vehicle history, were and how it lived (was treated) can and do make it easy to work on or a night mare.
If it's the bike, this trend may continue, and if it does it will cost you in either time and head aches or cold hard cash (to have someone else deal with the issues).
I would take a step back and take a good hard look (or have someone else do it for you).
It may be cheaper for you to advertise and sell it (honestly) as it is.
Do the math, it may be cheaper to let someone that is handy (and broke) buy it and spend there time vs money doing the work on there own.
I have made this mistake myself, it was a money pit (it was a jeep).
I finally cut my losses and let someone else have a turn.
JMHO
As for the cam tensioners, I did the job on my old 01.
I took my time and did not have any major issues.
It did not cost me and arm and leg either (like taking it to a shop would have).
I spent about a weeks worth of evenings doing it (made sure I sprayed every bolt and let it set before removing).
If you have and not had a problem ( if you have some mechanical capability) it may not be you.
Vehicle history, were and how it lived (was treated) can and do make it easy to work on or a night mare.
If it's the bike, this trend may continue, and if it does it will cost you in either time and head aches or cold hard cash (to have someone else deal with the issues).
I would take a step back and take a good hard look (or have someone else do it for you).
It may be cheaper for you to advertise and sell it (honestly) as it is.
Do the math, it may be cheaper to let someone that is handy (and broke) buy it and spend there time vs money doing the work on there own.
I have made this mistake myself, it was a money pit (it was a jeep).
I finally cut my losses and let someone else have a turn.
JMHO
As for the cam tensioners, I did the job on my old 01.
I took my time and did not have any major issues.
It did not cost me and arm and leg either (like taking it to a shop would have).
I spent about a weeks worth of evenings doing it (made sure I sprayed every bolt and let it set before removing).
Last edited by GRWHD; Mar 2, 2017 at 07:42 AM.
Contact IB Sales to have your account opened
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 381
Likes: 36
From: WORCESTER,MA
Hey Brett, the 99 to 02 Twin Cams had a forged crank. H-D 100th birthday present to it's loyal customers, was a Cast Pressed together crank for 2003 & up! If you love the bike , go the Hydraulic route, if not put new oem spring tensioners back in & sell it, or ride it 20K, & take a peak at tensioners again! Synthetic oil helps a bit! Good Luck!
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,625
From: along the shore of Mishigami
I'm with Boston jim on this. I run syn oil oil in my 02 and the shoes looked pretty good while I was having a 95" kit installed but went ahead and had new shoes in at that point then 20k miles latter went to the hyd. cam plate and shoes installed. Figured that is the last time in the cam chest for me (knock on wood).
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Twin cities area
Thinking of going with the cyco tensioners. These tensioners lasted 43k. Gonna have to hang on to the bike for awhile to get my money out of it after this!
Ordering a Haynes manual today. I'll pull the head. Going to bring the head into a machine shop. I will probably do the belt myself. Pay someone to do the tensioners.
Ordering a Haynes manual today. I'll pull the head. Going to bring the head into a machine shop. I will probably do the belt myself. Pay someone to do the tensioners.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 81
Likes: 7
From: Long Island NY
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 671
Likes: 168
From: Ontario, Canada
Thinking of going with the cyco tensioners. These tensioners lasted 43k. Gonna have to hang on to the bike for awhile to get my money out of it after this!
Ordering a Haynes manual today. I'll pull the head. Going to bring the head into a machine shop. I will probably do the belt myself. Pay someone to do the tensioners.
Ordering a Haynes manual today. I'll pull the head. Going to bring the head into a machine shop. I will probably do the belt myself. Pay someone to do the tensioners.
I put in Cyco shoes, a Drag Specialties high volume oil pump and all new bearings last season on my 03. Not a difficult job but I was lucky enough to know someone who has all the right bearing pullers and installers.
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: OH
Thinking of going with the cyco tensioners. These tensioners lasted 43k. Gonna have to hang on to the bike for awhile to get my money out of it after this!
Ordering a Haynes manual today. I'll pull the head. Going to bring the head into a machine shop. I will probably do the belt myself. Pay someone to do the tensioners.
Ordering a Haynes manual today. I'll pull the head. Going to bring the head into a machine shop. I will probably do the belt myself. Pay someone to do the tensioners.
Harley-DavidsonŽ 2003 FLT Touring Models Motorcycle Service Manual 99483-03A
https://houseofharley.com/Harley-Dav...99483-03A.html