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[johnmowcop]

Gents, could you offer opinion or advice please.

Below is a message from a friend who is in the process of striping down his HD Twin Cam to inspect and replace the cam chain tensioners. The bike has done 25k miles on normal oil. besides answering the below would you say the wear would have been significantly less on full synthetic. Also is it worth changing to synthetic now.


John, take a look at the photos of the tensioners. Not bad, but going to replace as back ones not seen, and could be worse wear.
Could you go on your forum, and see what feedback there is for `Falcon Performance` of Memphis, who market a kit to replace the contact shoes only, by punching out the old pins; and peening in new pins c/w new shoes. Their kit is comprehensive and comes with a gadjet to achieve the above and a full gasket set to boot. Easily within my capabilities, but would like some feedback,especially the quality of the shoes / wear rates, etc.
Regards,
Jim.

[grc]

That is of course a 1999-2006 Twin Cam with spring loaded cam chain tensioners.  If he got 25k miles, he should consider himself lucky as many people did not and suffered major engine failures when all the bits and pieces circulated through the engine.  And no, it didn't matter if you ran full synthetic or dino oil.

I'm not familiar with the replacement shoes from Falcon, but unless they are made of a much better/more durable material I think I'd recommend changing over to the new style (2007 and later) hydraulic tensioners.  There are kits on the market that include a new cam plate, new higher volume oil pump, and the hydraulic tensioners.  A new oil pump is often necessary after all that material has been run through the original pump; inspection of the pump internals will tell him if he needs to go that route.

Jerry

[Ridgerunr]

Cyco Gaskets in Fort Gratiot, Michigan makes replacement shoes for 99'-06' that are about bullet proof.

[grc]

Cyco Gaskets in Fort Gratiot, Michigan makes replacement shoes for 99'-06' that are about bullet proof.

http://www.harleydavidsontensioner.com/

Jerry

[Ridgerunr]

Thanks for posting the link, I've been having trouble lately finding it.

[prodrag1320]

we use the cyro shoes alot,very easy to install. one thing that alot of people dont realize with the stock tensioners,is that they start doing damage right from the get go.when they start to wear,little pip marks appear where tiny pieces come loose and get in the pump and start damaging it & the cam plate right away.we`ve seen damage as low as 10K miles

[prodrag1320]

cyro install fixture

[Ridgerunr]

".we`ve seen damage as low as 10K miles"

+1, my friend went into the cam chest for a cam change on his 2002 RK back in 2003, it had 9000 miles, shoe was just down to the metal. The late model shoes seem to be much better.

[txbear55]

Is gear drive no longer considered?

[Puma]

That is of course a 1999-2006 Twin Cam with spring loaded cam chain tensioners.  If he got 25k miles, he should consider himself lucky as many people did not and suffered major engine failures when all the bits and pieces circulated through the engine.  And no, it didn't matter if you ran full synthetic or dino oil.

I'm not familiar with the replacement shoes from Falcon, but unless they are made of a much better/more durable material I think I'd recommend changing over to the new style (2007 and later) hydraulic tensioners.  There are kits on the market that include a new cam plate, new higher volume oil pump, and the hydraulic tensioners.  A new oil pump is often necessary after all that material has been run through the original pump; inspection of the pump internals will tell him if he needs to go that route.

Jerry

+1 on the 2007 and later type tensioners.

[Ridgerunr]

Is gear drive no longer considered?

Too much run out on late model flywheel assy's.

[prodrag1320]

Too much run out on late model flywheel assy's.

with the `07 up hyd. tensioners,the gear drive really isnt needed like the 99-06 motors,in witch we still use alot of them.(we still use gear drives in late motors with larger cams as it holds cam timing better)

[GMR-PERFORMANCE]

Falcon is just another warehouse place pushing product. Cyco makes them. I have used the tensioner shoe kit it works .. I am not a cyco fan so my opinion of the company is jaded.

But most times the older plate and pump are not in the best shape and the kit from SE is a very nice upgrade. The issues with the tensioner where not what the shoe is made out but pure poor design. SO if you want to do it again keep the set up.

I agree with GRC.. From a shop stand point no way,.. its not about the budget its about correcting the issue at hand. And its a simple deal to correct it .

[johnmowcop]

From Original Poster - Me.

My pal has the Gyco tensioners on order. Will keep you posted on progress/issues.

By the way, he is very impressed with the quality of the insides of the motor. Mind you he is a Guzzi fan also, so maybe not to much of a plaudit. (Tongue firmly in cheek Jim).

Thank you all for contributing.

JohnT

[skippy]

Cyco Gaskets in Fort Gratiot, Michigan makes replacement shoes for 99'-06' that are about bullet proof.
[/ quote]                                                                                                                                                                          I am assuming that the 2007 and latter 110 motors have the improved version from Harley??