Topic: Zipper's Cam Chain Tensioners (Read 6758 times)

Skillet · « **on:** August 30, 2015, 06:37:18 PM »

Has anyone used the cam chain tensioners that Zippers markets? One of my Harley tensioners went south at 36,000 miles and I want to upgrade to something better. By the way cam and lifter change with it.

Skillet · « **Reply #1 on:** August 30, 2015, 06:56:45 PM »

Quote from: Skillet on August 30, 2015, 06:37:18 PM

Has anyone used the cam chain tensioners that Zippers markets? One of my Harley tensioners went south at 36,000 miles and I want to upgrade to something better. By the way cam and lifter change with it.
https://www.zippersperformance.com/red-shift-dual-piston-tensioners.html

Twolanerider · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2015, 07:10:44 PM »

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=74040.0

That link is a discussion of the Zippers tensioners from a few years ago when the product was first released. Recollection was nothing negative toward the product itself relative to the stock parts but a lack of consensus on the more existential of the manufacturer's claims and the overall cost/benefit evaluation.

Skillet · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2015, 07:14:33 PM »

Quote from: Twolanerider on August 30, 2015, 07:10:44 PM

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=74040.0

That link is a discussion of the Zippers tensioners from a few years ago when the product was first released. Recollection was nothing negative toward the product itself relative to the stock parts but a lack of consensus on the more existential of the manufacturer's claims and the overall cost/benefit evaluation.

It would be nice to have more feedback from people that have used them. The bike is down now and I was hoping for some piece of mind with a better product.

sadunbar · « **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2015, 07:15:50 PM »

Quote from: Skillet on August 30, 2015, 06:37:18 PM

Has anyone used the cam chain tensioners that Zippers markets? One of my Harley tensioners went south at 36,000 miles and I want to upgrade to something better. By the way cam and lifter change with it.

I have about 10,000 miles on a set of Zippers tensioners. So far, they look the same as when I installed them...

Skillet · « **Reply #5 on:** August 30, 2015, 07:18:31 PM »

Quote from: sadunbar on August 30, 2015, 07:15:50 PM

I have about 10,000 miles on a set of Zippers tensioners. So far, they look the same as when I installed them...

Thanks for the input.

MLCRISIS · « **Reply #6 on:** August 30, 2015, 10:41:57 PM »

Have 8K on mine, took a look at around 6K looked fine

Skillet · « **Reply #7 on:** August 30, 2015, 10:51:20 PM »

I have 56,000 on my 08 Road King and no issue. Not so much with the 2011 SESG.

HILLSIDECYCLE.COM · « **Reply #8 on:** August 31, 2015, 06:29:55 AM »

We keep those on the shelf, for when in need.
They seem to work well.
Scott

Twolanerider · « **Reply #9 on:** August 31, 2015, 07:36:44 PM »

Quote from: Skillet on August 30, 2015, 07:14:33 PM

It would be nice to have more feedback from people that have used them. The bike is down now and I was hoping for some piece of mind with a better product.

Which is why it's good to re-ask now. When that thread happened the things were so new there was little experience to be had.

Skillet · « **Reply #10 on:** August 31, 2015, 08:25:49 PM »

Quote from: Twolanerider on August 31, 2015, 07:36:44 PM

Which is why it's good to re-ask now. When that thread happened the things were so new there was little experience to be had.

I hear ya. I just hate jumping into a new product without hearing it from anybody else but the seller on how good a product it is. Believe me I have bought the best there is which turned out to be crap.

Twolanerider · « **Reply #11 on:** August 31, 2015, 09:36:13 PM »

Quote from: Skillet on August 31, 2015, 08:25:49 PM

I hear ya. I just hate jumping into a new product without hearing it from anybody else but the seller on how good a product it is. Believe me I have bought the best there is which turned out to be crap.

Amen to that. As best I remember that old thread there was never any great question about the part being a satisfactory cam tensioner. The only things that were questioned/doubted and which amused were some of the more potentially.... hyperbolic

claims by the manufacturer that would come from just a tensioner change. Don't even know if the same claims are still on their site this much time later. But as just a satisfactory (albeit expensive) tensioner replacement I've never heard anyone complain in any way.

FlaHeatWave · « **Reply #12 on:** August 31, 2015, 09:46:33 PM »

'Have around 19k on the Zipper's in the 117, no issues, going to do a Cam Chest inspection soon, will report back...

Skillet · « **Reply #13 on:** August 31, 2015, 11:27:28 PM »

Quote from: FlaHeatWave on August 31, 2015, 09:46:33 PM

'Have around 19k on the Zipper's in the 117, no issues, going to do a Cam Chest inspection soon, will report back...

Great. The mileage is increasing. Thanks. Living and working in South Korea leaves me in the wind on new products without asking.

HILLSIDECYCLE.COM · « **Reply #14 on:** September 01, 2015, 06:40:58 AM »

Seems to be a nice quiet operation with those units.
Scott

Skillet · « **Reply #15 on:** September 01, 2015, 04:28:08 PM »

Quote from: HILLSIDECYCLE.COM on September 01, 2015, 06:40:58 AM

Seems to be a nice quiet operation with those units.
Scott

Quiet is good. I wish these 110's were as quiet as my 93 in. S&S Shovel crate motor that I have in my Sturgis.

Skillet · « **Reply #16 on:** September 03, 2015, 01:26:58 AM »

Quote from: HILLSIDECYCLE.COM on September 01, 2015, 06:40:58 AM

Seems to be a nice quiet operation with those units.
Scott

Good to hear positive feedback. Makes me feel a little better for the price.

smiley1049 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 05, 2015, 04:40:54 PM »

Have about 35000 miles on these not looking vary good

Skillet · « **Reply #18 on:** September 07, 2015, 05:53:56 PM »

Quote from: smiley1049 on September 05, 2015, 04:40:54 PM

Have about 35000 miles on these not looking vary good

Looks like some periodic maintenance to be done every 20,000 miles or so. Thanks for the pic and mileage report.

TN · « **Reply #19 on:** September 07, 2015, 06:38:50 PM »

Quote from: smiley1049 on September 05, 2015, 04:40:54 PM

Have about 35000 miles on these not looking vary good

Hey Smiley, you got a pic of the shoe wear?

my stock 09 at 35k. they weren't worn smooth, kinda pitted. Replaced with stock. next time I'll use the cyco replacement shoes.

smiley1049 · « **Reply #20 on:** September 07, 2015, 09:51:48 PM »

If you look close the shoe wear is there hard to see but you can see that both Pistons are showing through the shoe. If you need a better picture I can take one tommarrow.

TN · « **Reply #21 on:** September 08, 2015, 06:52:19 AM »

gotcha smilely. one more question, was the stock oil bypass spring and plunger used?

thanks

smiley1049 · « **Reply #22 on:** September 08, 2015, 09:14:31 AM »

No it has the Screaming Eagle cam plate

smiley1049 · « **Reply #23 on:** September 08, 2015, 01:45:03 PM »

Here is a better one

Ridgerunr · « **Reply #24 on:** September 08, 2015, 02:52:08 PM »

Have you shown that photo to Zippers?

FlaHeatWave · « **Reply #25 on:** September 12, 2015, 03:09:48 AM »

Cam Chest Inspection on the 117 yesterday at 20k miles, the T-Man 625s, Feuling Plate / Pump, S&S Premium Lifters, Zippers Tensioners all looked new, very slight wear on the Zippers Shoes where the links ride...

sadunbar · « **Reply #26 on:** April 13, 2016, 06:16:11 PM »

Thought it was worth a mention that Zippers sells replacement shoes for the Zippers Red Shift Cam Chain Tensioners for $22.95 per pair plus shipping...

Author Topic: Zipper's Cam Chain Tensioners (Read 6758 times)