When I opened up the cam chest on my 2002 Road King with 28000 miles, I haad two problems, my inside tensioner shoe was shot,(I posted about this already) and the fact that the needle bearing end of my front cam had a slot worn it infor 1/2 the circumferance. What I'm calling a slot is wear mark .004 - .005" deep. The width of the slot matched length of the needles in the INA B-148 bearing exactly. Base on what I've read previously, I replaced both bearings with the Torrington Brand. I guess my question is whether on not this is a cam problem or a bearing problem.
Thanks
Bruggy

 

I've heard that once wear starts, it doesn't stop.

I would think it would be pretty odd to have a cam be the source of the failure. The bearing should be suspect...especially since it had been know to be a problem.

Did you replace the cam(s)? If you've torn it down that far, you may as well upgrade.

 

Mtnlvr
yes, I replaced the factory cams with a set of Screaming Eagle 203's. My bike already had the stage 1 download to cover the air cleaner and the high performance slip on mufflers. I did install a Techlusion DFO to cover the cams. Its prettychilly here in Minnesota yet, so I've only put about 10 miles on it since I put it back together yesterday afternoon. But it runs really nice. The cams gave it a little more snort, and now it has alight lope at idle. I think its sounds really nice.
I polished the chains with 1300 grit polishing compound, so I'm hoping with the smoother surface and the new tensionser shoes that I should be goodfor the next 40 to 50 thousand miles. Time will tell. To be safe my plan it to pull the nose cone again when I get another 25 - 30 thousand miles on her.
Bruggy

 

Sounds like you barely dodged a big bullet there. Whew!

VicW.