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Cam Chain Tensioners?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 16,125
Likes: 24
From: Linden New Jersey
RE: Cam Chain Tensioners?
Pull the cam cover and take a look at the tensioner shoes. You can pretty well judge how much it is worn by how deep the chain rides in the shoe.
After all the horror stories I surely wouldn't wait till 30K miles before I took a peak at them, but that just me
After all the horror stories I surely wouldn't wait till 30K miles before I took a peak at them, but that just me
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 3,438
From: SW WA.
RE: Cam Chain Tensioners?
Had mine done with some other work at 40K and they still looked pretty good.(2000FLHTC)
Going gear drive and a bunch of other stuff right now at 105K so it'll be interesting to see what the tensioners look like with 65K on them.
Going gear drive and a bunch of other stuff right now at 105K so it'll be interesting to see what the tensioners look like with 65K on them.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
RE: Cam Chain Tensioners?
I'm planning on having a look see but I still don't have a feel for how big a problem this is. I have had NO other issues. 40K miles with no problems is pretty good to me. You're right in that the Twin Cam motor is basically an antique design. Seems to me Harley has done pretty good with it. Even BMW has serious issues and if you leave it on the side stand for a while, it smokes like all get out. The reason Harley is trying to make an antique motor work is because we like THAT motor. I think they have proven they can make a reliable motor and have proven to me they can take an antique and make it last for 10's of thousands of miles. It's not emotion with me, it's why I ride a Harley.
CHIZ
CHIZ
ORIGINAL: Wolf
I've read about the cam tensioner and 2005 / 2006 oil burning issue with twin cam motors to the point that it's hard for me to believe that Harley yet understands how to design and build a motorcycle engine that is considered, in modern day terms, reliable and of low maintenance. Yet, people keep buying them like there's no tomorrow.
Let the buyer beware. To spend that much money buying, what is, basically, a low performance motorcycle knowing that after not too many miles a very significant amount of money will likely have to be spent to keep it running is beyond rationale. I'm not that damned emotional about my Harley. Just another 2 cents.
I've read about the cam tensioner and 2005 / 2006 oil burning issue with twin cam motors to the point that it's hard for me to believe that Harley yet understands how to design and build a motorcycle engine that is considered, in modern day terms, reliable and of low maintenance. Yet, people keep buying them like there's no tomorrow.
Let the buyer beware. To spend that much money buying, what is, basically, a low performance motorcycle knowing that after not too many miles a very significant amount of money will likely have to be spent to keep it running is beyond rationale. I'm not that damned emotional about my Harley. Just another 2 cents.
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
RE: Cam Chain Tensioners?
I have a 2k Electraglide that I bought with low low miles. At about 12K the bearings went and ate the engine. Thanks to Ebay and a great bike shop I got it back on the road for about 600 bucks but as soon as I can I'm going with S&S cam gears. So I say, for your safety and sanity, have the cam tensioner checked, bearings checked and changed/upgraded to more reliable parts, and if you can afford it dump the chain and get the gears. It'll whine but you'll have more horse power and your bike will run better.
[IMG]local://upfiles/5453/CE0D7710652E4648904300289F086CFB.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/5453/CE0D7710652E4648904300289F086CFB.jpg[/IMG]
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 485
Likes: 10
From: East Tennessee
RE: Cam Chain Tensioners?
ORIGINAL: mhultman
I have a 2k Electraglide that I bought with low low miles. At about 12K the bearings went and ate the engine. Thanks to Ebay and a great bike shop I got it back on the road for about 600 bucks but as soon as I can I'm going with S&S cam gears. So I say, for your safety and sanity, have the cam tensioner checked, bearings checked and changed/upgraded to more reliable parts, and if you can afford it dump the chain and get the gears. It'll whine but you'll have more horse power and your bike will run better.
[IMG]local://upfiles/5453/CE0D7710652E4648904300289F086CFB.jpg[/IMG]
I have a 2k Electraglide that I bought with low low miles. At about 12K the bearings went and ate the engine. Thanks to Ebay and a great bike shop I got it back on the road for about 600 bucks but as soon as I can I'm going with S&S cam gears. So I say, for your safety and sanity, have the cam tensioner checked, bearings checked and changed/upgraded to more reliable parts, and if you can afford it dump the chain and get the gears. It'll whine but you'll have more horse power and your bike will run better.
[IMG]local://upfiles/5453/CE0D7710652E4648904300289F086CFB.jpg[/IMG]
I hear a lot about this, but from what I've read in American Iron, etc., is that the tensioner problem is primarily associated with the fitting of radical high-lift cams and the extra strong springs required to clap the valves shut at high rpms. If you don't have that scenario, it's not clear as to whether the tensioners are really a problem or not.
Has anyone on the forum here had an actual diagnosis of engine failure on a stock or mid-performance cam change due to the tensioners? If so, how many miles. I'm hitting about 22k, running pure stock, and getting ready for some major touring, so I'd sure like to know whether I should hang close to a route with Harley dealers.
Thanks,
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Joe Kucinski
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 3,438
From: SW WA.
RE: Cam Chain Tensioners?
It's rare but some fail early for no operant reason.
My friends completely stock 2003 Ultra had a complete cam chain tensioner failure at 23,000 miles.
It was fixed under warranty while on a road trip but it cost him three days of a week vacation.[:@]
My friends completely stock 2003 Ultra had a complete cam chain tensioner failure at 23,000 miles.
It was fixed under warranty while on a road trip but it cost him three days of a week vacation.[:@]