I have 2002 Dyna 88b,21k on the odo,do I have to be worried about the cam chain tensioner and putting gear drive in it right now?!? I was going to wait till after summer and do cams,push rods,springs and gear drive. I want the S&S stuff that turns the rear cylinder cam backwards.
I just bought this bike,I have owned 2 other twin cams,but they allready had s&s valve train in 'em when I got 'em. I never buy cars,trucks or bikes brand new,I let someone else take the initial hit!!
Are there any signs or symptoms before they fail?

 

I think you just need to take a look at them every 5,000 or so miles. Also look in your used oil and cut the filter open when you do oil changes for any signs of orange pieces of material.

Mine still look good at 40,000+ but I'm going to switch them out shortly. I've heard of them going 50,000+ miles and I've heard of them going at less than 20,000 miles.

It's a crap shoot.

 

Research the forum there a many threads re this Try the touring forum couple good ones there perhaps there should be a sticky

 

I would not be too worried at this point but a visual check of the tensioners would be a good idea. The original tensioners on my 2000 RG went 95k before failing. A lot of techs that I have talked to lean more toward the hydraulic tensioner upgrade. I have friends that have the hydraulic mod and they report better oil pressure and lower oil temps.

 

Is this a HD upgrade or aftermarket?

 

its a h.d upgrad you get the new design 2010 better pump, and cam plate and redesigned ten, i had mine done at 20,000 just as piece of mine, my old tentioners where just fine, of course at that time i went with the 95 build

 

No. Not until it's too late.

You have 21k on the bike, they should be checked soon.

 

They are junk and the unpredictability of when they will go south makes them worse. You should check them now or replace them before the summer. I am glad mine are gone. It was a poor design that is now just a poor design refined with the hydraulic tensioners.

 

if they do wear to the metal what happens does it take out your motor or anything real bad ??????

 

Good chance of "taking out the motor" but not a sure thing.

They crumble into chunks that can stop your oil from pumping.
"No oil" ain't a good thing, obviously.