Cam tensioner question
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
And this is the pre 07 spring loaded type that is prone to fail.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 154
Likes: 1
From: Erie, PA
My total cost, SE hydraulic cam chain tensioner kit, SS 521 cams (not sure on the number) but the cams were for chain drive system, labor and dyno, less than 900.00. I got the SE upgrade kit from Hales and the labor and cams from the indy that installed everything. Im very pleased with how it all turned out. Better pick up in 3-5th gear, runs about 10 degrees cooler, and has the Potato Potato idle.
my Woods cams, bearings, new type oil pump and ajustable push rods from Fuel-moto was about $900 did the work myself took about 1 1/2 days taking my time to get everything right, taking the pipes off and back on is the hardest part other than that its a easy job
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 5,220
From: Michigan
I had the S/E Hyd Cam Kit and H.O. Oil pump installed in my Ultra this past March.
Parts & Labor was just under $1150.
Labor may be a few bucks cheap for bikes without lower fairings or other junk that has to be R&R'd.
THis was my second replacement set at 77,000 (first was done at about 40,000 miles) so they had about 37,000 miles on them and they weren't too bad.
I just talked to a guy yesterday at the service station who was riding an '03 RK and he told me that he lost the original engine because of the cam chain tensioners breaking up and ruining his engine.
Many owners are not made aware of this issue and that does not look good for their servicing dealer.
BTW, there is a visible increase in oil pressure (according to the gauge) with the H.O pump.
Mine used to run 32lbs. at freeway speeds and "0" when hot, idiling at a traffic light.
Now I run about 40lbs (est) at freeway speeds and about "5" (est) when hot idiling at a traffic light.
Parts & Labor was just under $1150.
Labor may be a few bucks cheap for bikes without lower fairings or other junk that has to be R&R'd.
THis was my second replacement set at 77,000 (first was done at about 40,000 miles) so they had about 37,000 miles on them and they weren't too bad.
I just talked to a guy yesterday at the service station who was riding an '03 RK and he told me that he lost the original engine because of the cam chain tensioners breaking up and ruining his engine.
Many owners are not made aware of this issue and that does not look good for their servicing dealer.
BTW, there is a visible increase in oil pressure (according to the gauge) with the H.O pump.
Mine used to run 32lbs. at freeway speeds and "0" when hot, idiling at a traffic light.
Now I run about 40lbs (est) at freeway speeds and about "5" (est) when hot idiling at a traffic light.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,473
Likes: 15
From: River City Western Canada
I had the S/E Hyd Cam Kit and H.O. Oil pump installed in my Ultra this past March.
Parts & Labor was just under $1150.
Labor may be a few bucks cheap for bikes without lower fairings or other junk that has to be R&R'd.
THis was my second replacement set at 77,000 (first was done at about 40,000 miles) so they had about 37,000 miles on them and they weren't too bad.
I just talked to a guy yesterday at the service station who was riding an '03 RK and he told me that he lost the original engine because of the cam chain tensioners breaking up and ruining his engine.
Many owners are not made aware of this issue and that does not look good for their servicing dealer.
BTW, there is a visible increase in oil pressure (according to the gauge) with the H.O pump.
Mine used to run 32lbs. at freeway speeds and "0" when hot, idiling at a traffic light.
Now I run about 40lbs (est) at freeway speeds and about "5" (est) when hot idiling at a traffic light.
Parts & Labor was just under $1150.
Labor may be a few bucks cheap for bikes without lower fairings or other junk that has to be R&R'd.
THis was my second replacement set at 77,000 (first was done at about 40,000 miles) so they had about 37,000 miles on them and they weren't too bad.
I just talked to a guy yesterday at the service station who was riding an '03 RK and he told me that he lost the original engine because of the cam chain tensioners breaking up and ruining his engine.
Many owners are not made aware of this issue and that does not look good for their servicing dealer.
BTW, there is a visible increase in oil pressure (according to the gauge) with the H.O pump.
Mine used to run 32lbs. at freeway speeds and "0" when hot, idiling at a traffic light.
Now I run about 40lbs (est) at freeway speeds and about "5" (est) when hot idiling at a traffic light.
I had the same thing done to my Deuce last year...Bought the kit on eBay $345.00 and $200.00 cash for my indy to install...included a new inner bearing. I would suggest stay away from the dealer.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: SC
My brother's '01 Electra Glide Classic has 20K when his went out. On my '04 Electra Glide Standard, I went to S&S gear drive cams at 20K. My tensioner shoes looked good but I had no worries after the cam(s) swap. I recently got rid of it after 76K and it still ran just like new.
I now have a '10 Electra Glide Limited. Hopefully, these are better than they were. I may go to gear drive cams anyway. I liked the idea of getting rid of the chains and tensioners.
I now have a '10 Electra Glide Limited. Hopefully, these are better than they were. I may go to gear drive cams anyway. I liked the idea of getting rid of the chains and tensioners.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 719
Likes: 69
From: Waxhaw NC
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 18
From: Orange, VA,
The new kit replaces both tensioner shoes with the new style.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
The stock version for that year (I also have an 02) is a spring-style tensioner.
I just had mine replaced 2 weeks ago, but I went with gear-driven cams. But it is something that you DEFINITELY should get checked out. Mine has 44000mi on it and I had them done at just the right time. The rear one was just about gone.