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[bear tracks]

I'm second owner of a SEEG.  Don't know the original owners.  How do I determine if they changed the original cam chain tensioners to gear driven or hydraulic.  Had 26,000 miles on bike when I bought in November, 2011.  Now has 41,000.  Thank you for help.

[FLH91]

What year is the bike?  Newer bike tensioners don't need to be replaced like the pre-2007 ones.  I just sold my '07 Street Glide with over 120,000 miles on her with original tensioners still doing great.... My guess is you are fine...

[hdbrad03]

You need to remove at a minimum the cam cover so you can view the cam chest to determine type.


 

   Brad

[Cvostu]

I just replaced mine and went gear driven.  I've heard stories about what kind of damage those could cause.   I went with s&s 570s.  Great cam for that bike.  I went with those in my 04. Very happy with them.   

[grc]

The only way to know for sure is to remove the cam chest cover and take a look.  There are four possibilities I can think of:

1.  Completely stock spring loaded tensioners.
2.  The Harley "upgrade" kit that includes the cam plate, set up with hydraulic tensioners and a new style roller chain on the outer chain only.
3.  Completely changed over to the late model production cam plate with hydraulic tensioners, roller chains, and plain bearing outer cam journals.  This requires what is known as a conversion cam, with the inner journals sized for the older engines and the outer journals made for the late style plates without ball or roller bearings.
4.  Gear drive, which will be pretty obvious of course.

At 41k miles, it would be a very good idea to do this inspection soon.  

Jerry

[bear tracks]

It's a 2004 SEEG.

[phato1]

At 41,000 miles it's time to at least inspect the outer tensioner by pulling the cam cover and giving it a look. These tensioners are known to just "suddenly" fail with out any indication of trouble until you hear a metallic noise coming from the area and by them the damage has been done.
Personally I would have them changed - either:
1. put new "old" style in
2. update the cam plate, tensioners, chain,bearings et al
3. go with an S&S gear drive if crank run out allows

I decided to change over to an S&S gear drive in my '01 Fatboy at @ 20,000 miles and was glad I did since the tensioners were worn pretty bad at that point.

[bear tracks]

Picture is my 103 SE engine, clearly showing gear driven cams that were installed by a previous owner.  I understand it's an S&S set-up but not sure what cam profiles are installed.  Oh well,  at least I don't have to worry about those chains.  Seems to be pulling strong.  State trooper pulled me over and asked if I had a governor on the bike.  I failed to see him sitting two lanes over next to me in the dark at a traffic light near home.  I think he was upset cause I roared off when a couple of other cars were near us - he had to do something.  I was simply trying to get home for my dinner.  He was a nice guy and let me go. 

[murphy]

Definitely gear drives, but you've got bigger issues mister, based on your photo it appears your engine is sideways!

[hogasm]

pull the two outer gears off and the cams will be stamped with a number......

only if you want to know more about the build

[prodrag1320]

IMO,the gear drive set up is the best thing that ever came out for the 99-06 TC`s.bear tracks,what part of florida you in? im in deland

[bear tracks]

Hey prodrag1320.  I live in winter springs near oviedo, but I'm a little worried since Murphy noticed my engine wasn't sitting at the normal 45degrees.  I thought it was running a bit rough. 

[prodrag1320]

ya get in the daytona/deland area,stop by & say hi
www.veetwinperformance.com

[bear tracks]

Thanks prodrag1320.  I'll stop by there next time I come through.  I checked out your site.  Looks and sounds very impressive.

[Dead_Reckoning]

You need to remove at a minimum the cam cover so you can view the cam chest to determine type.


 

   Brad

Here is a pic of the OEM on left and hydraulic on right

http://www.mainebiker.net/photo/old-cam-tensioners-vs-hydralic-tensioners?context=latest