gear cams vs silent chain question
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 808
Likes: 1,142
From: West Texas
I agree with the comments that proper set up shouldn't have any appreciable noise. I installed gear drive cams in both of my Softails and there is a very slight whirring noise if I listen for it. Nothing noticeable.
Novice
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 7
I went to gear drive on my 2004 Roadking when I bought it in 2009, not enough noise change to worry about. The peace of mind not having to ever worry about tensioner wear and the catastophic problems that failure could bring is PRICELESS.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 246
Likes: 20
From: Front Royal, VA
I just switched to gear drive on my 2000 Ultra. That was the first thing my guy told me he had to check (the run out). I really don't hear any noise. I did the S&S 509G ( the complete camchest overhaul).
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 926
From: Squamish, BC
A little more eye candy, just installed a few weeks back. I don't notice any odd noise from the gears.
Attachment 617108
Attachment 617108
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,161
Likes: 11,252
From: San Diego, CA
There's two issues with the gear drive cams....
First is the runout. If you have over .003" crank runout, there is no way to install the gear drives and not have accelerated wear and/or damage. Gear drive cams should not be used if your crank run out is more than .003" (some say you can use them up to .004", but S&S says .003")
Second is that if your runout is less than .003' and you are a candidate for the gear drive cams, you should be sure to measure the gear backlash during the install. If you don't measure the gear backlash and confirm it's within accepted parameters, it will at least cause noise from the gears and can cause engine failure.
S&S has this caution in their install instructions concerning adjusting the gear backlash:
"Too much backlash can cause excessive gear noise or clicking caused by the reversing of the forces applied by the lifters to the cam lobes. Insufficient backlash, will cause gears to whine, wear prematurely, create excess heat, and may cause breaking of the gear teeth and engine failure."
Last edited by hattitude; Dec 24, 2019 at 10:10 AM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 246
Likes: 20
From: Front Royal, VA
And that my friend is exactly what my guy told me. I guess my Ultra was compliant.
He's probably the best Harley Mechanic in our area. Jason. at One Forty One Speed Cycles, Winchester VA. I'm very happy with my new cam chest work.
https://www.facebook.com/1Forty1SpeedCycles/
He's probably the best Harley Mechanic in our area. Jason. at One Forty One Speed Cycles, Winchester VA. I'm very happy with my new cam chest work.
https://www.facebook.com/1Forty1SpeedCycles/
Last edited by sB43; Dec 24, 2019 at 11:18 AM.
