Hmmm I'd have the cam plate pulled by a Indy Mechanic and have have the new style cam plate and chains installed and the new style tensioners put in for good luck.When you pull the outter cam plate you can see the tensioner on the outside but not the inside tensioner. I'd have a new style oil pump installed also, its better at pickin up oil.
If the tensioners go out its going to tear up more stuff.

 

My 02 Road King started clattering at about 40,000, mechanic said it was a good thing I got in when I did.

 

Very timely post. I have an 03 Road King with 32k miles, I have it in the shop now for tires , fluid changes, and I the guys asked to look at the tensioners while they had it. They just called me today and told me the bad news, they are shot, almost down to metal. I am leaving on a 3000 mile trip in two weeks, I am glad I had them look. My suggestion is if the tensionersare on your mind have them checked! A few hundered bucks beats a few thousand any day.

 

Changed mine at 26000. Front was starting to go, and the rear was completely failed, without a peep. I only noticed something wrong when it was on a Dyno, just around 25,000, and I hearda slight rattle when they started the Dyno, and my ears were at cam level. I ended up with slight Oil Pump damage from floating plastic, but the bike ran like a champ nonetheless. The rear tensioner is on the left. Notice the lack of plastic on the sides. It was completely flipped backwards, and wasn't even making contact with the chain anymore. The worst part is that I had the local dealer check them at 25,000, right before I took her to the Dyno,and they said they look pristine.

 

I work with a fellow that has a 01 Classic and his lasted 70K miles. But when they came apart, he knew it. Had to remove the oil pan and clean out the plastic, among other house keeping items inside the engine. Very expensive fix but the bike is now nearing 100k on the rest of the engine.

 

If your asking you better change em. Pulled mine at 25k and looked o.k. not great o.k.,, go gear drive w/ a mild cam 26g,510g.,hq.0034. if you have a carb. open the a/f screw 3 turns out get a sporty needle.maybe a bump up on the main jet. my 02 EGS has the s/s 510g,95",w/a thunder jet kit. Runs great. Steve

 

Had mine replaced this winter at 75,000 kms.

 

replacing mine at 25000 miles. like said in a earlier post labor the same to inspect as it is to replace, just parts extra.shoes $65.00 each gasket/bearing kit $65.00 = $195.00 + 3 hours labor If you have the money same labor to put in gear drive cams just the difference in cost of cams etc.

 

Mine lasted 13000 miles along with the cam bearings that probaly due to the tensioner having nothing left .The stator lasted 11000 miles.If there was problem with a 01 Ultra mine got it.I bought the bike a year ago with 6700 miles on it.I swithced from HD oil to mobil 1 V-Twin when I got the bike.I should be ready for lots of riding now that everything has been replaced unless there is something else that Harley screwed.

 

Every bike seems to be different when it comes to this issue. A buddy with a 99 Dyna lost his completely at 36,000 and had to have major engine repairs, another with an 00 Ultra replaced his due to excessive wear at 18,000. I swapped mine out for gear drives at 58,000 and the tensioner feet still looked really good.