My Cam Tensioners

OH OH !

Any motorcycle engine will last indefinitely if it doesn't get abused. Of course, they all get abused, some more than others. Amazing to me how many older bikes are still grinding out the miles . . .

The early 99's had inner cam bearing problems...I replaced mine at 10,000 with the quick fix kit that HD came out with for peace of mind...My brother still has his 99, never replaced the bearings and bike runs well with over 100k...

It was the rear outer cam bearing in the cam plate that was bad...HD changed them from a ball bearing to a roller bearing...inners could wait until a cam change...

My Bike was never a 96 Holmes.
And they cheated on a lot of the SE model bikes.

There is no guarantee of what might or might not happen.
No 2 motors are the same, no 2 people ride the same.

If you are willing to take the chance , Great.
But with a lot of folks out here that is having the problems and trying to tell the folks who ain't skeereed.
Oh Well.

I know HD started in like 2011 of like going from 25,000 psi to press the cranks together to like 52,000 which I like.
But the problem with the cam bearing and lifters can still happen.

I haven't been in a 2012
Got no idea.
My 2011 is as far as I've been,
But in a 2010 SE SG they had the spaced bearings.

Good perspective . . . of course, when it happens to you that perspective changes .

Yep sure does....Damn Harley buying cheap belts from gates....Oh, wait...It was my fault....Never mind!!

Got 3 friends that they have gone out on in the last few months .

Must be a Tex ass thing. Ha Ha Ha.

Google it.
Look at all the places they talk about it.
And the tools for sale.
Then tell me what it is.

Some people don't run their bikes as hard.

But I think it should be a maintenance thing.
Don't think HD even recognizes it. Because if you buy a warranty they will fix it.
If the bike runs out of warranty. Its on you.
Its like Rolling dice.
You may go forever. And you may make 40,000 miles.

Just like the spring loaded tensioners.
You may have a good chain and go 45,000 miles.
Then you may have problems before you know it.
I worry about the bearings and lifters more than I do about nylon tensioner material.
Nylon tensioners has been in auto for a long time

I have an 02 softail twin cam 88,Vance and Ines slip ons w/baffles out,SE AIRbreather, and a V&H fuel pax running very well (22,000 mi)
Have been reading all the horror stories about the cam chain tensioner's and my year is the worst with the spring-loaded version. Thinking about going with a gear drive cam kit and I would like some advice about what would be a good cam, I usually ride one and very aggressively but I only have stock heads.I don't think my fuel pack will help me but I found a mechanic that has a screaming Eagle disc that plugs into a PC and he also had some kind of a module for timing and red limiter can I please get some info on this?

Twin cam motors has service records. And one of them is every 35,000 miles.
Pull the cam chest, Replace the cam chain tensioners. And inner cam bearings.
And while you are in there. Replace the lifters.
Will save you a world of hurt.

You think I shouldn't get the kit with plate,Hi flow oil pump, and a little more aggressive set of cams? Gear drive? I like low & mid torque

Yea throw those gear drives in. See if they last very long.
Wonder why HD themselves who spend millions of dollars on this. Went with chain drive.
Their pinion shaft are not true.

Been listening to this gear drive stuff since 07.

You better spend the extra money and have the crank done if you go gear drive.

You know gears has keys to hold the gears in place that will shear.

If its too big of a problem for you to replace the tensioner and lifters every 35,000 miles.
Maybe you should consider another bike.

HD went chain tensioners because you can find some of their bikes out 12*
That is too much for even thinking about gears.