It's my anniversary

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 16, 2026 | 06:37 PM

#11

Highway Handler

HDF Community Team

Joined: Jan 2022

Posts: 1,123

Likes: 859

From: B.C.

It depends on how much you want to spend. I personally do not like the spring tensioners because of the springs that can break. Ask me how I know.

By doing the upgrade it is a good excuse to buy some new cams, if you are into that. (Strictly for Reliability, wink)

Mar 16, 2026 | 08:11 PM

#12

J83

6th Gear

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 10

Likes: 5

From: Northern Indiana

Congratulations!

My wife got sooooo mad at me for selling my bike one time she threatened to divorce me for it. I missed it so much, I was like a crack head in withdraw till I could get back in the seat. Promised myself to never sell another one and I'll stick to it, now it's her problem if I bring another home........LMBO

Mar 16, 2026 | 08:22 PM

#13

Hathaway

Thread Starter

Road Captain

Joined: Apr 2024

Posts: 567

Likes: 556

From: Northern plains

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highway Handler

I appreciate the advice - that's really the first time I've heard of the springs themselves breaking.
I'm not diminishing your point if it happened to you, but my concern is to just make this bike last about as long as I need it. It would be fine with me to ride the current tensioners for 35k miles. As I've previously pointed out (calculated at my current riding rate per year) that won't be until I'm about 81.
Still, to your point, I may go ahead and crack open the case and check them. Even with only 11k miles, things can break. I got it for a reasonable price, so a little maintenance can be expected. I once had a Dyna with about 50k miles and I did check them. Otherwise, I really don't need any performance upgrades on this bike. I'm happy just to ride some country 2 lanes, at the " double nickel", and watch the trees go by!

Mar 17, 2026 | 12:27 PM

#14

Hoyt 1911A1

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2017

Posts: 3,847

Likes: 999

From: Southern Virginia

Congrats Hathaway, sounds like you've got a good one. I have a 2003 FXDWG with a carb and Baker six speed that I love.

One thing I'll mention about those tensioners is they are plastic. Forget the mileage, plastic gets brittle as it ages. On my 03 I went ahead and upgraded to the Screamin' Eagle billet cam plate with hydraulic tensioners (barely made it in time at 39,000 miles, but that was at only ten years old). I heard someone mention having to change the cams out but I didn't have to on mine. If you want to spend as little as possible I'd at least replace those 23 year old pieces of plastic that have the ability to destroy your engine.

Good luck, I hope the bike does everything you want it to.

Mar 17, 2026 | 12:39 PM

#15

Hathaway

Thread Starter

Road Captain

Joined: Apr 2024

Posts: 567

Likes: 556

From: Northern plains

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoyt 1911A1

Congrats Hathaway, sounds like you've got a good one. I have a 2003 FXDWG with a carb and Baker six speed that I love...
One thing I'll mention about those tensioners is they are plastic. Forget the mileage, plastic gets brittle as it ages... I'd at least replace those 23 year old pieces of plastic that have the ability to destroy your engine.
Good luck, I hope the bike does everything you want it to.

Thanks - that's a very good point! I will have to give this some good thought. I chose this particular bike over others costing much more, so maybe I can afford to open my wallet just a little wider!

Mar 17, 2026 | 01:04 PM

#16

Hoyt 1911A1

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2017

Posts: 3,847

Likes: 999

From: Southern Virginia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hathaway

Thanks - that's a very good point! I will have to give this some good thought. I chose this particular bike over others costing much more, so maybe I can afford to open my wallet just a little wider!

I understand your thinking. My 03 had a one of 200 Tribal Flames paint set on it. The original owner dropped it and dented the tank. The cost of that paint set was so high the insurance company totalled the bike, which is what got it to where I could afford it. Didn't look like it had ever been ridden in the rain.

I decided that I was going to be more concerned about how it rode and how reliable it was than how it looked for the most part. I upgraded to the SE oil pump/plate/haydraulic tensioners kit, upgraded the bearings/lifters, pushrods, and put new stock cams in it so I would never have to worry about that area of the motor again. I also added the Baker OD6 transmission and replaced the rear shocks for about what that paint set would have cost.

Besides, I can't see that dent from where I'm sitting anyhow.

Mar 17, 2026 | 01:17 PM

#17

Hathaway

Thread Starter

Road Captain

Joined: Apr 2024

Posts: 567

Likes: 556

From: Northern plains

[QUOTE=Hoyt 1911A1;22239406...
Besides, I can't see that dent from where I'm sitting anyhow.[/QUOTE]
😆

Mar 17, 2026 | 01:32 PM

#18

Rounders

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2021

Posts: 18,434

Likes: 3,716

From: backwoods

I do not like weight of new frame. And I hate the feet position. Cramped.

I think about going through suspension and better stereo,that is all I want.

I already did engine. 95" cammed and ported is bang for buck. Back then it was common to bore. Forums were alive with build threads