cam tensioners
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Delaware
cam tensioners
I want to change out my cams to gear driven after my warranty ends June 08 . I now have 16,500 miles was wondering how you guys approached this, did youchange out right before the warranty expired. And did you use chain or gear driven .[:-]
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 1
From: Lenexa, KS (KC)
RE: cam tensioners
I've got 31,000 on my bike and checked the tensioners at 30k -- looked almost new. Figure I'll change them out next Spring or just keep riding another year if the look okay. I'm running Mobil 1 V-twin synthetic so maybe that helps -- not sure anyone really knows why some last a long time and some don't. Anyway, if they last 30k to 35k, not sure I'll even go with gears rather than just keep replacing them every three to four years.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
RE: cam tensioners
IMO the is nothing wrong with these tensioners. Just more of the "the sky is fallin" crap from the whiners. Unless you are building a larger engine save your money. You may be opening up a Pandora's box due to crankshaft runout issues.
Routine service and maintenance will do it!
Routine service and maintenance will do it!
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 643
Likes: 0
RE: cam tensioners
ORIGINAL: debay
I want to change out my cams to gear driven after my warranty ends June 08 . I now have 16,500 miles was wondering how you guys approached this, did youchange out right before the warranty expired. And did you use chain or gear driven .[:-]
I want to change out my cams to gear driven after my warranty ends June 08 . I now have 16,500 miles was wondering how you guys approached this, did youchange out right before the warranty expired. And did you use chain or gear driven .[:-]
Read this: www.stampedemrc.com/spark/tensioner.htm
and this: www.sscycle.com/modules/instruction/uploads/51-1047.pdf
My tensioners were worn out at 30K ! [:@]
The plastic stuff will kill your oilpump and engine.
Greetz,
Peter (Netherlands)
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,479
Likes: 4
From: SoCal
RE: cam tensioners
This is a good item to change under warranty; I changed mine out outside of awarranty with light wear at 20,000 miles, it cost a whole $ 170.00. The time for my gear-driven cams was about 6K later when I built the motor up to Stage III.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 3
From: Central Illinois
RE: cam tensioners
ORIGINAL: johnny canuck
IMO the is nothing wrong with these tensioners. Just more of the "the sky is fallin" crap from the whiners. Unless you are building a larger engine save your money. You may be opening up a Pandora's box due to crankshaft runout issues.
Routine service and maintenance will do it!
IMO the is nothing wrong with these tensioners. Just more of the "the sky is fallin" crap from the whiners. Unless you are building a larger engine save your money. You may be opening up a Pandora's box due to crankshaft runout issues.
Routine service and maintenance will do it!
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 4
From: Oklahoma
RE: cam tensioners
ORIGINAL: Gutman
We have changed out several tensioners, some broken as little as 30k inspection. If you have extended service it is covered. I have some customers that have broken at 30k, others with over 60k and stock tensioners. No consistency If you hear a strange noise don't put it off.
ORIGINAL: johnny canuck
IMO the is nothing wrong with these tensioners. Just more of the "the sky is fallin" crap from the whiners. Unless you are building a larger engine save your money. You may be opening up a Pandora's box due to crankshaft runout issues.
Routine service and maintenance will do it!
IMO the is nothing wrong with these tensioners. Just more of the "the sky is fallin" crap from the whiners. Unless you are building a larger engine save your money. You may be opening up a Pandora's box due to crankshaft runout issues.
Routine service and maintenance will do it!
Trending Topics
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 1
From:
RE: cam tensioners
The plastic tensioners may be one of HD's weakest areas, I'm afraid. The chains were used to help quiet the engine (chains are queiter than gears) - but, many have decided that gears are better and have gone that route. If you do decide to go the gear driven route, you will most likely hear the gears which bother some - however, not having to worry about the plastic tensioners make up for the added whine. Btw, going the gear drive route is not cheap. Unless you're planning to keep your bike for 4-5 years and drive it 8-10K per year, it may be a waste of $$. Just my 2cents.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 1
From: Lenexa, KS (KC)
RE: cam tensioners
Heck fire, now I'm getting paranoid again! Guess I'll plan to change mine out in the next month when weather turns too bad to ride. Maybe I can find some of the aftermarket Titanium tensioners guaranteed for the life of . . . . . 
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
From:
RE: cam tensioners
ORIGINAL: Retired_Ted
The plastic tensioners may be one of HD's weakest areas, I'm afraid. The chains were used to help quiet the engine (chains are queiter than gears) - but, many have decided that gears are better and have gone that route. If you do decide to go the gear driven route, you will most likely hear the gears which bother some - however, not having to worry about the plastic tensioners make up for the added whine. Btw, going the gear drive route is not cheap. Unless you're planning to keep your bike for 4-5 years and drive it 8-10K per year, it may be a waste of $$. Just my 2cents.
The plastic tensioners may be one of HD's weakest areas, I'm afraid. The chains were used to help quiet the engine (chains are queiter than gears) - but, many have decided that gears are better and have gone that route. If you do decide to go the gear driven route, you will most likely hear the gears which bother some - however, not having to worry about the plastic tensioners make up for the added whine. Btw, going the gear drive route is not cheap. Unless you're planning to keep your bike for 4-5 years and drive it 8-10K per year, it may be a waste of $$. Just my 2cents.