Cam Chain Tensioners

[Blackpearlultra]

I pulled my cam case open today to check the tensioners. That in itself was tough. I had to make up a plate to bolt onto the cover and then use a slide hammer to break the seel. I'm not sure if I want to pull the guts out to check the inner tensioner if its not necessary. I have enclosed some pics of the outer tensioner do you think it is OK and do you think I would need to pull the inner one out as well? I have looked at the manual and think I can do it but is it necessary?

[RamMedic]

Here is my .02

The cam chain tensioners are a fucking joke. You never know when one will grenade and cause problems. Since you are there. Replace them now and not worry about them for a while. It is not a difficult job to get to the inner one.

That one doesn't look too bad.

On a side note. Buy a set of gear drive cams and gear drive kit and put it in. Problem solved...................forever!!!! :mrgreen:

[Blackpearlultra]

Thanks Ram
If I could afford the gear driven cams I would but not right now. I was thinking the same, while I'm in change them out. They have about 22000 miles on them, not sure if thats good or bad. I need to pick up a gasket so I might as well pick up new tensioners.

[RamMedic]

at 22k miles, i would not even consider putting them back in the bike. good choice to get new ones. be very careful with the oil pump when you pull the cam plate out. check that o-ring very carefully before you reinstall it. may even be worth getting a new oil pump o-ring as well.

[Blackpearlultra]

I'll do that, if there is anything else you can think of let me know. I won't be working on it again until next weekend.
Thanks Again!

[firestarter]

check that o-ring very carefully before you reinstall it. may even be worth getting a new oil pump o-ring as well.

Excellent advice Ram! The dealer did Road Nazi's the first time and crushed the O ring putting it back together. The bike rode like a slug with no power, took it back. They said it was low on oil so they added some. Still didn't get better so we took it to an indy and the dealer had put twice as much oil in it as it called for, the reason it was a slug, was because not only did they crush the O ring, the motor couldn't sump the oil back up to reuse. That O ring is very critical.
I'm at 22K on my bike too, I've been listening carefully to them. They usually go between 20-30K. I"m going back with the gear drive since I don't have extended warranty.

[GzrGldGeo]

22,000. I would have never guessed it needed replacement. I better RTFM (read the f*ing manual).

Thanks for the heads up. I will work it into my plans.

[RamMedic]

There is no magic mileage point at which the tensioners fail. I have heard of them failing at 12k. If you have that setup in your bike. It would be wise to check fairly often. Save the bucks and replace them or switch to gear drive.

[Blackpearlultra]

I just got thru breaking her down to get at the inner tensioner. It did not have any where near the wear that the the outer one did. I will post pics later for a comparison.

[Blackpearlultra]

Here is a picture that compares the 2, you will notice the outer shoe has more wear for sure. As you can see there is a fair bit of work involved in getting the little buggers out!!!