It's my anniversary
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 567
Likes: 556
From: Northern plains
It's my anniversary
Well, to anyone who's vaugely interested:
I sold my bikes and have been bikeless for several months. This isn't the first time for me trying to give up riding...It's the third - and it also has failed.
For the third time as well - I test rode a Milwaukee 8 - this time on a FLHTP. As with the other test rides, the M8 engine just isn't for me. If you have one and love it - - great. Just isn't for me.
Wasn't sure what I wanted until today:
I saw a 2003 FLHRCI Anniversary with 11.5k miles on it and it looks like brand new. It has to have just about every "100th Anniversary" badged option on it. I just had to have it. I'm not sure about the apehangers, but the braided cables are sweet.
It's been piped as well. I may switch the slip ons to something else - they're kind of loud. Ill pick it up next week when the weather is due to warm up, so I can ride it home.
The 2003 is before the 2009 frame upgrade, so it weighs not much more than my 08 Heritage did. I had an 06 FLTR that weighed less than the newer ones too.
That's the one thing some forget about the older bikes...they're lighter!
I have owned a few of the older TCs, and never had to change cam tensioners. One was a DynaSuperglide with 50k miles on it and when I checked them, they were still okay. I can see if I want to do the SE cam tensioner upgrade, but I'm not too sure about that.
I bought it for a keepsake, as much as a vehicle. It has always appealed to me.
At 71, I think the cam tensioners on this will outlive me (or at least my ability to ride). I'll probably check them @ 35k (unless they start to clatter & tell me otherwise), but with the short rides I take these days - I might be 81 by then!
😏
I sold my bikes and have been bikeless for several months. This isn't the first time for me trying to give up riding...It's the third - and it also has failed.
For the third time as well - I test rode a Milwaukee 8 - this time on a FLHTP. As with the other test rides, the M8 engine just isn't for me. If you have one and love it - - great. Just isn't for me.
Wasn't sure what I wanted until today:
I saw a 2003 FLHRCI Anniversary with 11.5k miles on it and it looks like brand new. It has to have just about every "100th Anniversary" badged option on it. I just had to have it. I'm not sure about the apehangers, but the braided cables are sweet.
It's been piped as well. I may switch the slip ons to something else - they're kind of loud. Ill pick it up next week when the weather is due to warm up, so I can ride it home.
The 2003 is before the 2009 frame upgrade, so it weighs not much more than my 08 Heritage did. I had an 06 FLTR that weighed less than the newer ones too.
That's the one thing some forget about the older bikes...they're lighter!
I have owned a few of the older TCs, and never had to change cam tensioners. One was a DynaSuperglide with 50k miles on it and when I checked them, they were still okay. I can see if I want to do the SE cam tensioner upgrade, but I'm not too sure about that.
I bought it for a keepsake, as much as a vehicle. It has always appealed to me.
At 71, I think the cam tensioners on this will outlive me (or at least my ability to ride). I'll probably check them @ 35k (unless they start to clatter & tell me otherwise), but with the short rides I take these days - I might be 81 by then!
😏
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 7,997
Likes: 6,896
From: NC
There may be a time when I no longer have a motorcycle. Probably sell the bike, with high mileage, for enough to get a new set of golf clubs. But that is many years, and hopefully 130,000 miles, away for now.
Last edited by Goose_NC; Mar 14, 2026 at 09:04 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 4,529
From: Bismarck N.D.
be sure to post a few pictures when you can!! I agree with you on the M-8 not a fan either I know a few guys that bought M-8's and have since gone back to Twin cams or Evo's!!
I recently also picked up an older Road King!! 2002 FLHRI and really like it!!
I recently also picked up an older Road King!! 2002 FLHRI and really like it!!
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 567
Likes: 556
From: Northern plains
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 973
Likes: 1,363
From: South of Heaven
I just bought a 2003 with low miles and the first thing I did was change the tensioners out. I figured I would sleep better knowing I wasn't running 23 year old failure prone parts. Peace of mind for me anyway.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 567
Likes: 556
From: Northern plains
Last edited by Hathaway; Mar 15, 2026 at 05:36 PM.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Jan 2022
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From: B.C.
Yes, I just read that they leave the rear chain on when they upgrade it. At least the tensioners get replaced, though. As you say though: might be better to just replace the original spring loaded tensioner pads. Hopefully, it won't be needed for several years...or maybe never! Two things in my favor: I've always kept up with oil changes and light maintenance- and I'm a pretty moderate rider - especially like cruising the 2 lanes out in the country.
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Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 567
Likes: 556
From: Northern plains
The inner cam chain can be upgraded to the 07 and up twin cam set up. You just need conversion cams to fit the newer cam plate and the smaller inner cam bearings. By the time the spring loaded tensioners fail to the point you can hear them the damage is done. You dont want that.
@Addicted to Chaos I just bought a 2003 with low miles and the first thing I did was change the tensioners out. I figured I would sleep better knowing I wasn't running 23 year old failure prone parts. Peace of mind for me anyway [QUOTE]
👍 THANKS!
Last edited by Hathaway; Mar 16, 2026 at 07:52 AM.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 567
Likes: 556
From: Northern plains
I appreciate your advice.
Another alternative has occurred to me: The tensioner pads and chains are probable okay at only 11k miles. But even if they're prematurely bad, I can decide to replace them with the same, original style, spring-loaded tensioners. No need for a new oil pump either, if I stayed with the spring-loaded type.
I watched a couple of videos, and would feel pretty confident to do that job. If I did it now, or at (let's say, 25k miles) - the tensioners would still last me as long as I'll have the bike. The tensioner kit and specialty tools would be a fraction of the cost of the hydraulic plate and kit. Especially if I don't have to buy new cams, bearings, or hire labor.
Shoot - as a retiree, my labor is free - I can pull the tank, open the rockers, and even keep the original push rods & cover tubes. It would make a nice off season job.