Buying an 88
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,335
Likes: 328
From: Arizona
Buying an 88
So my budget for getting back on a Harley has shrunk a little and it looks like I will be buying something pre-2007. Can someone tell me what to ask about concerning the cams or cam chain?? What needs to be swapped out and at how many miles? Finding early 2000s Road Kings w/ ~20k miles...
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
The topic of cam tensioners has been done to death on here, however only a tiny proportion of the entire Harley owning population are members of HDF! So it is difficult to give good solid advice.
The tensioners wear, but the mileages they can do before giving problems is very wide-spread. Many on HDF change them rather than risk things going bad. The worst that can happen is that the tensioners break up and small bits of them get into other parts of the engine and do a great deal of expensive damage. Personally I bought a new TC88 and ran it for about 10k miles before selling it and it ran fine.
The tensioners can be fixed by simply replacing the worn parts, which is cheapest, but there is the doubt about how long they will go before wearing again. My favourite solution, if I still owned a TC88, would be to fit the hydraulic upgrade kit, but another alternative is a gear-drive upgrade, but that is expensive IMHO.
As for buying a new to you bike, simply ask if the cam tensioners have been upgraded. The answer will either be: No; Yes, with a hydraulic kit; or Yes with a gear-drive kit. If they cannot give you an answer either walk away, or budget for a hydraulic kit in making an offer.
The tensioners wear, but the mileages they can do before giving problems is very wide-spread. Many on HDF change them rather than risk things going bad. The worst that can happen is that the tensioners break up and small bits of them get into other parts of the engine and do a great deal of expensive damage. Personally I bought a new TC88 and ran it for about 10k miles before selling it and it ran fine.
The tensioners can be fixed by simply replacing the worn parts, which is cheapest, but there is the doubt about how long they will go before wearing again. My favourite solution, if I still owned a TC88, would be to fit the hydraulic upgrade kit, but another alternative is a gear-drive upgrade, but that is expensive IMHO.
As for buying a new to you bike, simply ask if the cam tensioners have been upgraded. The answer will either be: No; Yes, with a hydraulic kit; or Yes with a gear-drive kit. If they cannot give you an answer either walk away, or budget for a hydraulic kit in making an offer.
Last edited by grbrown; Aug 11, 2011 at 08:13 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 98
From: Colorado Springs
What's your budget? Four months ago I bought a 2008 FLHTP with a 103" with 17K miles for $10.5K.
There is another one I know you could get for 11K:
http://www.gjharley.com/pre_owned_de...sp?veh=1922543
Keep shopping. Really bad economy with lots of bikes for sale...
...
There is another one I know you could get for 11K:
http://www.gjharley.com/pre_owned_de...sp?veh=1922543
Keep shopping. Really bad economy with lots of bikes for sale...
...
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,335
Likes: 328
From: Arizona
My budget shrank from $15k to ~ $11k. (House refi.)
What is the cost of the hydraulic upgrade, installed?
My other thought is that I get a cheaper bike now, and if I am totally into it, trade up in a year or two.
I really should go see that flhtp...
Also, if a bike had the 95 kit installed, is the cam tensioner still an issue?
What is the cost of the hydraulic upgrade, installed?
My other thought is that I get a cheaper bike now, and if I am totally into it, trade up in a year or two.
I really should go see that flhtp...
Also, if a bike had the 95 kit installed, is the cam tensioner still an issue?
Last edited by big papa AZ; Aug 11, 2011 at 09:26 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,020
Likes: 69
From: Twin Cities, MN
Here is my cost installed on the HD SE hydraulic tensioner set up + CAMS!
Now I don't know what your budget is, but putting cams (Andrews 21, can't praise it enough for everyday touring/commuting type riding) into my 88" was the best money ever spent. My bike keeps up with my buddies 96" Stage 1 (without cams) not problem at all. And just has gobs of torque.
Cost $1,500 installed and included:
HD Hydraulic Conversion kit
Andrews TW21 cams
New SE lifters
New cam bearings
And labor
Work was done by my trusty indy mechanic in Lakeville, MN
Now I don't know what your budget is, but putting cams (Andrews 21, can't praise it enough for everyday touring/commuting type riding) into my 88" was the best money ever spent. My bike keeps up with my buddies 96" Stage 1 (without cams) not problem at all. And just has gobs of torque.
Cost $1,500 installed and included:
HD Hydraulic Conversion kit
Andrews TW21 cams
New SE lifters
New cam bearings
And labor
Work was done by my trusty indy mechanic in Lakeville, MN
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,774
Likes: 2,606
From: san antonio
So my budget for getting back on a Harley has shrunk a little and it looks like I will be buying something pre-2007. Can someone tell me what to ask about concerning the cams or cam chain?? What needs to be swapped out and at how many miles? Finding early 2000s Road Kings w/ ~20k miles...
All you need to know from the seller is whether or not the cam chain tensioners have ever been changed or upgraded. If they have been changed and the OEM tensioner shoes replaced with OEM shoes, you just need to pull the cam cover and check them. Once changed, the second set usually lasts much longer than the original set due to the "polishing" effect of the original tensionser wearing in on the chain.
If the tensioners have been upgraded with the hydraulic setup or elimnated wtih gear drive cams, you can forget about them.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 91
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
I have an 01 RK with 49k now and the tensioners are fine. Not saying you don't have to be concerned about them just saying not all bikes in this year range have the problem. Other than a broken bag support I have not had any problems with this bike.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: florida swamp
And exactly how do you tell which bikes might have the problem?
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,020
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From: Twin Cities, MN
'99 - '06 bikes have the spring loaded tensioners. The material the tensioner pads are made from appear to very greatly in durability. some fail at less then 20K and like SmokinRK last to almost 50K. It's a total crapshoot that is why it is so disconcerting. You have to check frequently to keep your mind at ease.
Here is mine at 41K and I'm glad I caught them.
Here is mine at 41K and I'm glad I caught them.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,774
Likes: 2,606
From: san antonio
You can't. There are bikes that have run on the OEM tensioners for 35K-50K miles before replacing. The tensioners on my '05 Deuce had to be replaced at 12K miles and on my '02 FLHT at 25K mile. It's a crap shoot and that is why they should be checked every 10K miles or so.