Twin Cam Motors Twin Cam 1998 thru 2017

Check those tensioners now!

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  #21  
Old 03-09-2021 | 06:47 PM
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Originally Posted by robarosa
I use a bore scope camera to look at the inside tensioner.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WRNGYXY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Edit: Here's a photo the bore scope can take. Also useful looking in the cylinder through the spark plug hole.

Thats a great idea, the mirror technique not even close. Thanks for sharing this
 
  #22  
Old 03-09-2021 | 07:00 PM
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Sure. Make sure it's small. The one I have is small enough to get between the cam cover and engine.
 
  #23  
Old 03-09-2021 | 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by robarosa
Sure. Make sure it's small. The one I have is small enough to get between the cam cover and engine.
That suggestion may save some members here some serious cam plate upgrade expense.
 
  #24  
Old 03-12-2021 | 07:29 AM
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Default Cam tensioners

Originally Posted by Wagondog
From the information I have found from numerous Softail owners there is no cut and dry year/mileage when they fail. If you have the ability to get in to the cam case and check the outer tensioner and an inspection mirror to look and the inner tensioner and they look good there’s no need to go further than that. My 2000 with 1 owner put on 32k all highway and we found the outer ok but the inner was destroyed. Other owners have found the tensioners ok. Good luck with the new bike. I also went from Sportster to Softail and am happy I did, totally different ride
my 06 Heritage was recently inspected at 26000 miles and was told they looked almost new. Check again at 50,000 miles. Probably won't wait that long .
 
  #25  
Old 03-12-2021 | 11:57 AM
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Originally Posted by djl
Anyone concerned about tensioner failure of the early TC chain tensioners just needs to replace the OEM tensioners with a set of CYCO shoes. $70 and a couple of hours and no more worries about catastrophic faillure. CYCO shoes are still a consumable, subject to wear and should be checked every 20K-25K miles but they are not subject to catastrophic failure, without warning, like the OEM shoes. No need to upgrade cam plate and pump; OEM parts are more than adequate for stock, Stage I and Stage II configurations.
Straight up. It doesn't have to cost a fortune to make it right.....
 
  #26  
Old 03-12-2021 | 05:20 PM
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djl, the problem that I just ran into is finding the CYCO shoes!!!!!! I couldn't find any, so I put some Twin Power shoes in my bike from JP cycles.
This will be a winter item checked. FOR SURE. problem is, I have to remove my exhaust to do it. But, one small thing to keep the old bike running like a champ!!!


I hope they last, My last ones from Twin Power only lasted about 12,000 miles.

Although, I just read that Twin power buys them from CYCO and rebrands them. Not sure if this is correct or not. Any one with some input on this?
 

Last edited by sjones73; 03-12-2021 at 05:50 PM.
  #27  
Old 03-14-2021 | 07:34 PM
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50k km looks like everything was good but im good for years!

 
  #28  
Old 03-14-2021 | 08:09 PM
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Originally Posted by sjones73
djl, the problem that I just ran into is finding the CYCO shoes!!!!!! I couldn't find any, so I put some Twin Power shoes in my bike from JP cycles.
This will be a winter item checked. FOR SURE. problem is, I have to remove my exhaust to do it. But, one small thing to keep the old bike running like a champ!!!


I hope they last, My last ones from Twin Power only lasted about 12,000 miles.

Although, I just read that Twin power buys them from CYCO and rebrands them. Not sure if this is correct or not. Any one with some input on this?
The Twin Power shoes are the CYCO shoes and they should last longer than 12K miles. Have you tried buying direct from CYCO?
http://cycogasket.com/twin-cam.html?p=3
Page 3
 
  #29  
Old 03-14-2021 | 08:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Alaus24
50k km looks like everything was good but im good for years!

Better replace those pitted tensioner shoes with a set of CYCO shoes ASAP. Those pits represent pieces of the shoe that got caught by the oil filter. If you cut the filter open you will see lots of little orange pieces in the pleats of the filter. The bad thing about the early OEM shoes is that they can come apart without warning and cause lots of damage. It's a carp shoot and not worth taking the chance. JMHO.
 
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  #30  
Old 03-15-2021 | 11:23 PM
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dlj, yeah I went straight to their website. Said they where out of stock. But I am sure alot of people are doing builds this time of year.
 



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