Opinions needed

my 06 was within tolerances.....ya need to check the runout with a dial indicator.......

to run gear drives you will have to check the crank runout...

With a mild cam, gear drives are overkill, they keep timing in check (no chain slack)
but they cost (gears) as much as the cams...

Unless you are going overboard on the cams and build (600 lift) then JMO it's overkill.

However the old tensioner system wears some in 20 K some in 10K some in 40K so the tensioners for the cam drive chain system on the older setup will have to be inspected from time to time.

You do a lot of miles, then either upgrade the cam plate, oil pump and tensioner chain system to the newer system (HD has a conversion kit) or go gears.

Wood cams - Bobby Woods or Wood Performance Carburetors - High Performance Harley Carbs and Cams

Kuryakyn has some nice cams that won't require comp releases, check with Mike Roland and crew at Kuryakyn

as i stated, my 06 was in tolerance....but, the conversion wasnt available when i did my change over. if i were to do it again, i would do the chain conversion, no special tools required and a much quieter camcase.

yep and you were lucky on the runout...