I know, I know, search the forum. I tried that and didn't turn up what I was looking for. Probably just didn't know the best keywords. So I'm just gonna ask for what is probably the 1000th time.

Does anyone have a good instructional on replacing the tensioners in an '08 Street Glide? I need to know everything that is involved to make the decision on how to deal with the pushrods, since I understand that the factory ones require head disassembly to remove to reach the rear tensioner. Bike is at over 60,000mi(90,000kms), and since there isn't a common consensus on how long the hydraulic ones last I want to do them. I put on too many miles and I require the bike to be as reliable as possible without worrying in the back of my mind.

 

Can't specifically answer your question. Another member described his 100,000+ mile tear down and replace as necessary on his 08 Road King said the cam chain tensioners were quite safe to continue using. I am 85,000 miles and have ceased worrying about them based on his and some other reports. Anything made by man can fail at any time but the tensioners don't seem to be a weak spot. Do what makes you comfortable. The whole job is far less expensive than a new crate engine if yours is the one that wears out early and sends metal contamination through out the engine.

 

Search this way: Use Google, or Bing, restrict your search to hdforums.com.

Like this: https://www.google.com/search?q=2008...hrome&ie=UTF-8

 

What everyone else said, and, you don't have to remove the heads, only the rocker boxes. Huge difference. Personally, I'd rather remove the rocker boxes than screw around with adjustable pushrods. As you're in Canada, time should be your ally.

 

Your bike has the roller chain and hydraulic tensioner I think which grooves down only till the rollers touch and roll. That 2008 and cruiser always leaves me guessing. If you do, then they cease to wear. Replace at 10 years is a good ball park since they get brittle with hot oil. Since you are so far North, I seriously doubt you will ever have a problem.
Youtube if you have nothing better to do up there this winter. Me, I am going to Mexico. Another year, old RIPSAW will have to just wait for her tensioners...

 

I changed the shoes on my 07 when I did the cams....just because I had a like new pair laying around...i wouldn't tear everything apart to just do the shoes.

If you're set on doing it, do the inner cam bearings, rocker lockers, and enlarge the drain holes in your rocker covers at the same time. By then you might as well install a better set of cams and lifters, their going to be out anyway, why reinstall stock.

+2 on not going with adjustable push rods,,,found it a real pita on my first bike.

 

At 60,000 you should be good to for another 40 to 60 thousand or more. If it makes you feel better, you can easily pull the cam chest cover and inspect them but I would bet they are fine. Mine were still ok on my 08 RKC at 112,000 when I opened up the engine for the first time for major upgrades and a rebuild. They were replaced of course but still in decent shape.

Under normal conditions, the internal components of an 08 engine should be easily good for 100,000+ if maintained properly.

 

I traded in my 07 with 98K miles and new owner has 127K on it still stock tensioners, since 07 it's not as bad as it was once before.