Help from the pros
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,968
Likes: 54
Tensioners need to be checked. Not sure what they consider a rebuild but new inner and outer cam bearings and chain tensioners are a good idea at that mileage. If doing that you might as well do lifters and cams as well. The cam plate will already be out of the cam chest and either the heads will be off or the pushrods cut depending on your course of action. The inner chain tensioner usually wears faster than the outer as well so inspect both, not just the outer.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 843
Likes: 43
From: Louisiana
I just got off the phone with a Harley tech (those guys are good). I was told not to worry about the cam tensioners unless I begin to hear a ticking noise on the left side of the bike. That will alert me to the need to have the cam tensioners replaced.
When I mentioned a bottom end rebuild, I wasn't talking about the engine, just all the bearings and cam tensioners inside the primary...sorry for the confusion.
When I mentioned a bottom end rebuild, I wasn't talking about the engine, just all the bearings and cam tensioners inside the primary...sorry for the confusion.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
A rebuild?? 99 to 02 were the best years for bottom end engines, Timkin crank bearings, forged bottomd end, only thing I would check are the cam tensioners, I also have a 99 and mine were gone at 38k miles. I have 68k miles on my bottom end with no problems, keep that bike, the bottom end will last a very long time and are great for gear drive cams, they hardly ever have crank run out issues unlike the newer cheap cranks they make now.
excellent advice here.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,488
Likes: 30
From: Maryland near DC
Gang,
The speedo cable broke on my 1999 FLHTCUI (Ultra Glide) and I dropped it off at the dealer to have it replaced for $117.00. They looked at my mileage (38,500) and told me I needed my 40,000 mile service which required a complete bottom end rebuild in excess of $1,000.00, and if the cam tensioners failed it would be catastrophic for my engine. I declined. I called another Harley dealer in my area, told them of my mileage and they told me I needed a bundle of services (stuff I already maintain), but did not mention the rebuild. The bike runs great and I ride a lot. I leave for a couple thousand mile round trip in a month. What should I really be concerned about, if anything?
The speedo cable broke on my 1999 FLHTCUI (Ultra Glide) and I dropped it off at the dealer to have it replaced for $117.00. They looked at my mileage (38,500) and told me I needed my 40,000 mile service which required a complete bottom end rebuild in excess of $1,000.00, and if the cam tensioners failed it would be catastrophic for my engine. I declined. I called another Harley dealer in my area, told them of my mileage and they told me I needed a bundle of services (stuff I already maintain), but did not mention the rebuild. The bike runs great and I ride a lot. I leave for a couple thousand mile round trip in a month. What should I really be concerned about, if anything?
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lhuck63
Dyna Glide Models
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May 18, 2020 08:09 PM
