Cam chain tensioner
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 138
Likes: 1
From: ga
Cam chain tensioner
Trying to descide which way to go hydraulic or gear for cam chain tensioner,I hear the hydraulic lasts a long time without he chatter noise from the gear tensioner,even if done with output shaft .003 or under
Cruiser
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 226
Likes: 37
From: Sault Ste Marie,Mi
*** I'm going gear's on my 2003 for sure*******
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,890
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From: MA
Or better yet post a link to your thread here so we don't have to search.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Selma, Alabama
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,528
Likes: 606
From: Raleigh NC
I just replaced to OEM cam tensioners @ 50k and again @ 100K.... alas, @141K the front cam bearing **** the bed, and gouged out the cam race, sending fragments all through the engine.... but I can't blame that on the cam tensioners (which were fine, at the time)
You'll have to check the crankshaft run out, before going gear drive... but you'll never fret about tensioners again
You'll have to check the crankshaft run out, before going gear drive... but you'll never fret about tensioners again
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 304
From: mid Michigan
I'm happy with the SE cam plate. Good oil pressure with the pump & running threw oil cooler. Pic after 22,000 miles, tensioner's both look like new. The inside is tuff to see but with dental mirror and flash light all is good on M1 15-50 race with STP changed often. Think the key is sprocket to sprocket alignment, mine is with in .001inch. Friends gear drive going strong for few years now. So basically if either one is done right, should be fine.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
Nothing wrong with the stock spring tensioners with proper inspections and replacement. Absolutely little/no performance gain either way. On the low end spring tensioners should be inspected at 20k and hydraulic ones at 50k. Most folks don't put enough miles on their bikes to do the third or even second inspection. Put some CRYO pads on and run it.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,403
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From: Indy
People with gear drive think they are done with inspecting anything in the cam chest, but they are wrong. The cam bearings are the next thing they should look at. They should be checked about every 60 to 70k miles to be safe.
I personally changed my 03 to the 08, and up setup with ROLLER CHAINS on the inside, and out, the tensioners should last the 60-70k miles without a problem.
I personally changed my 03 to the 08, and up setup with ROLLER CHAINS on the inside, and out, the tensioners should last the 60-70k miles without a problem.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,406
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From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
I just replaced to OEM cam tensioners @ 50k and again @ 100K.... alas, @141K the front cam bearing **** the bed, and gouged out the cam race, sending fragments all through the engine.... but I can't blame that on the cam tensioners (which were fine, at the time)
You'll have to check the crankshaft run out, before going gear drive... but you'll never fret about tensioners again
You'll have to check the crankshaft run out, before going gear drive... but you'll never fret about tensioners again
If pullING cam, I would replace in and outer. It's what I did. New lifters every 50 wouldn't be bad either.