Twin Cam Tensioner Concerns
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,146
Likes: 471
From: along the Front Range in Colorado
....... ckd the oil pump, put the new shoes on, changed the bearings & had'm put it back together.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,530
Likes: 607
From: Raleigh NC
Replaced mine @ 50k... still looked good... but I was already THERE... and would be replacing them sooner or later.
Will be replacing them again in the next few weeks as I cross the 100k mark...
There is no rhyme or reason to their life span. just depends and which parts bin the chain and the shoes came from....
I know bikes with 75k and no problems, and I know riders who have had the engines wasted at 25k...
Will be replacing them again in the next few weeks as I cross the 100k mark...
There is no rhyme or reason to their life span. just depends and which parts bin the chain and the shoes came from....
I know bikes with 75k and no problems, and I know riders who have had the engines wasted at 25k...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 3,130
Likes: 10,760
From: livingston co,mi
did my 05 @36k with a cam upgrade and new tensioners i just hit 58K and lost the front outer bearing on the cam plate the cam plate and oil pump has some damage on it.... i hate down time
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 11
From: Oklahoma City
Can anyone share how long the upgraded shoes that come with the hydraulic replacement kit last? My 06 RK has 30K, I had the stock shoes inspected at about 24K and they were good, but I don't want to push my luck either.
I haven't asked the dealer, but one of the videos on this tread stated $900 installed for the upgrade kit. Anyone know what gear drive with cams cost these days?
I haven't asked the dealer, but one of the videos on this tread stated $900 installed for the upgrade kit. Anyone know what gear drive with cams cost these days?
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 196
Likes: 2
From: Murfreesboro, TN
You have 60k on a bike that is 7 to 8 yrs. old. The original shoes are are about $120 delivered on the internet. Unless you are willing to let the bike set while you order parts, you might consider ordering a new set of shoes and cam cover gasket, then wait until they come in to do anything.
When they do come in, take the bike down and inspect the camchest. When you release the chain tension, check the cam bearings by applying side loading to the cams and see if there is movement within the bearings. If your inspection doesn't turn up anything, put the new shoes on and button her up.
If it requires work, then you can decide on a plan of action from there. If you decide to upgrade it costs you 20 bucks plus shipping to return the shoes. They may wave the restocking fee if you order the upgrade parts from them.
If you are going to leave the engine stock, the replacement shoes should last you another 30k miles before you need to inspect them.
Good luck!
When they do come in, take the bike down and inspect the camchest. When you release the chain tension, check the cam bearings by applying side loading to the cams and see if there is movement within the bearings. If your inspection doesn't turn up anything, put the new shoes on and button her up.
If it requires work, then you can decide on a plan of action from there. If you decide to upgrade it costs you 20 bucks plus shipping to return the shoes. They may wave the restocking fee if you order the upgrade parts from them.
If you are going to leave the engine stock, the replacement shoes should last you another 30k miles before you need to inspect them.
Good luck!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 20
From: Indy
Can anyone share how long the upgraded shoes that come with the hydraulic replacement kit last? My 06 RK has 30K, I had the stock shoes inspected at about 24K and they were good, but I don't want to push my luck either.
I haven't asked the dealer, but one of the videos on this tread stated $900 installed for the upgrade kit. Anyone know what gear drive with cams cost these days?
I haven't asked the dealer, but one of the videos on this tread stated $900 installed for the upgrade kit. Anyone know what gear drive with cams cost these days?
The outer is a single row chain so it will wear to the rollers, and pretty much stop.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,267
Likes: 1
From: Redcar Cleveland England
Not sure what the record is for not checking the slippers is from new but it's not the trophy that I would want. If the bike has had other owners then how could you no. For the people who check them and run them for a long time, thats ok but mine were out for a gear drive from almost new. The gear drive is a topic of it's own and not without it's problems. I had a balanced crank and gear drive, where do you stop.
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Banned
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 11,232
Likes: 16
From: Socialist Republic of the USA
I ride my bike (01 Road King) hard and replaced the tensioners at just shy of 70K. They were still in surprisingly good shape. Others results may vary. Yours should surely be checked/replaced. Not a very big investment.