This cam chain tensioner issues got me all nervous. I have a 2004 Heritage. 33,400 on it. I don't notice any strange noises but I'm going to start tearing open my oil filter to check for debris. How hard would you say you ride that the tensioners were still "intact" at 70,000?

 

There does not seem to be any correlation between number of miles, oil used, typical usage etc. One bike with a TC 88 engine in it may have the cam chain tensioners detonate at 20,000 miles, another bike with 70,000 has tensioners that are still within acceptable levels. The only way you can tell for sure is to pull the cam cover off, get a dental mirror, and check the inside and outside tensioners. In a cruel twist of fate, the inner shoe (which is hardest to see and replace) is the one that seems to be the worst offender....

 

Mine were shot at 38k miles, from what I have read, some chains are rougher then others due to them being made by different companies, spring tension, how hard the bike is driven, I check mine every 20k miles.

 

I think I'm going to check mine this winter , about 9K but it's a 2001 TC 88 , I believe the early years some wore out before 10K.

 

If it was me and I had mine torn apart this far I would have changed the shoes and been done. I would be concerned at 30,000-40,000 miles

 

I think the key is how often they are ridden , I bought the bike I have now with 20k miles on it, and when I road it home from Florida to Indianapolis , and had a couple thousand on it while home the tensioners went , and cost me a motor, the bike I had before this one was an 03 that I bought new, and didn't replace tensioners until 67k miles, and I rode it about every day.
If they sit , the oil runs off of them ,and out of the chain for start up, and that is what causes a lot of wear IMO.

 

Make sure to upgrade the tensioned to the ones made by Cyco Gaskets.

 

Make sure to upgrade the tensioned to the ones made by Cyco Gaskets.

 

Make sure to upgrade the tensioners to the ones made by Cyco Gaskets.

 

i really like the 'spark plug/piston ring analogy....pressing cams off and on, new bearings etc. there is a youtube video about a tool to replace the rear shoe without taking the cams off, if a guy has the means and ability to make one of those, that gets closer to 'while you are in there'.