Just found your channel. Love it. Used to run my own independent shop. Nice to hear someone with some sense speak that knows what they are talking about. Agree with all you said.

Thanks for putting this video out. I'm 71 living on so so security and on a budget. I'm riding a 2004 Fatboy with cyco shoes that i put in myself, not difficult at all. I'm not going to upgrade to the hydraulic tensioners, which should be given out for free because of ignorant engineering on Willie G's part. I'm definitly not going to gears without pulling crank and having it trued and welded.Thanks again!!!

Videos are seamless with the editing and the info is all too the point. Favorite KZfaqr right now. Thanks for the content! You and your son are doing a killer job.

It was a problem in more than just Harley Davidson in the early 2000s. I've had several Pontiacs and one of them had cam chain tensior Crack at 99k miles and grenaded the engine. I've heard that the period of time was bad for those plastic components. Great video. Been downsizing my motorcycles and looking at early 2000s Harleys. Well done!

I appreciate the detail and the straightforward and informative explanation of your videos

I had the S.E. cam plate/oil pump with the hydraulic tensioners installed on a 2005 Dyna I once owned at around 25k miles, just to be on the safe side. I asked the tech after the install if the shoes were bad and he told me he had seen a lot worse and I could've gone another 25k miles with them, changing the oil regularly with synthetic probably helped. One thing I did notice right away after the install was that the engine was much more responsive after freeing up a few ponies with the hydraulic tensioners not having as much tension as the old ones.

Great info.I installed the cyco kit in my 01 heritage softail 6 years ago & there still looking good. I have only put on around 10,000 miles since then.65,000 on bike.Runs great.

I just bought a 03 100yr anniversary softail springer with 13k miles on it. Love it. I have NO ISSUES with staying on top of this maintenance. It just give me an opportunity to buy beer and make a wkend out of it.

Great video...clear, concise, knowledgeable, practical & frugal. Cam tensioner shoe inspection should be a maintenance item...inspect don't neglect, else asking for trouble. Gunna put it in practice. I bought an '04 Dyna Wide Glide last year with 3800 miles on it...now at 8000. Had a good friend with the same bike he bought new; his motor went south due to tensioner shoe failure at 24,000 - stung him a hard lick. Time to open mine up & check these bits out during Spring maintenance. Thanks for the tip on Cyco Gasket's tensioner shoes. Great product! 👏

Also thanks for the tip on cutting the pushrods with bolt cutters and replacing..

My 00 heritage springer had only 0.0015 crank runouts, so I decided to do gear drive conversion with S&S 509G, runs great and no need to worry about those plastic tensioners no more

Just subscribed. I have a 2005 95 Fatty, 15th-anniversary edition, with 13,051 miles. This video was exactly what I'm looking for! Thank you!

just bought a 2001 flht wt. 26,600ml. checking the cam chain shoes outboard shoe broke when lifted off the chain 99% worn, inboard shoe like new! WTH, never seen that before. waiting for an S&S 509 gear drive kit to arrive.tks! good review keep em coming.

I agree, Dyna's are easy to check. Not so on a TC FLHTC, with the exhaust in the way. I went SE Hydraulic.

Great info! Have a 06 Heritage softail classic I bought 2 years ago. Still less than 12k miles but want to be proactive on the tensioner shoe vs having a potential disaster. New subscriber.

Great info mate , i liked n subscribed . Cheers from Queensland Australia . Where riding happens everyday , year round . Stay safe .

Great info, I've got an 01 FXDX, 45k on the clock, not sure on the full history so going to check those tensioners out.

Great vid man! I have an 02 Softail with a twin cam I was thinking of the screaming eagle thing but then you said like just tell the mechanic to let him check it for you it’s fine i will definitely do that! Thanks !

I have a 01 Road King, with 97000 miles, original spark plugs. Engine has never been touched. Runs and sounds like new.

Hey man my 2000 road king came from bumpus Harley. Still has the bumpus Harley oil cover/cap. It cool running across this video 😂 the bike finally hit 18,000 miles. I just bought it less than a year ago.

Just found ya and I'm glad. I've been on 2 for years but just bought my 04 FXDLI ~a year ago. Dorothy's got 40k on her and the previous owner had no knowledge of this issue and I've been waiting for a month on a reply with answers from his brother a.k.a. his mechanic... guess I'm gonna have to check myself, not worth the risk....

My 01 road king tensioners looked new @ 20,400 miles.. @ 41,000 they were about shot.. Wish I'd bought the special tools to do it myself.. for what I paid to have it done

A friend of mine had to much run out on the crank, so he changed out the inner tensioner to gear drive and left the outer one tensioner, worked out really well only have to check the outer one and only takes a few minutes to change it out when needed.

you Rock I dig your presentation the info sinks in. thanks

Great instructional video about the Earlier twin cams, but what about 2011 Twin cams. I've got 118,000 miles on my road glide. Have you heard anything bad about that tensioner seeing that I never had my cams inspected. Thanks

Curious as to why someone hasn't come up with an aftermarket idler sprocket setup instead of a spring tensioner. Or Harley during the design phase for that matter.

My 03 fxdx fits right in this group!

Changed mine out on my 04 Dyna, 20,000 miles half worn. Just replaced shoes but still worth doing, peace of mind.

I have an 05 ultra have only had it for a couple months I just had tensioner failure. It's only jas 35k miles on it. But also I know the bike has never been properly maintained. It had the original spark plugs in it still. I am going to do like u said and imma order the syco ones. I was also thinking about going ahead to replacing the oil pump while I'm in there and upgrading to ss510 cams

Thanks for the advice!👍🍻

I just checked my 01 last winter 15000 miles I wanna up grade waiting till this winter didn't no a out the tensioners when I bought the bike learned after but not disappointed at all love my low rider

Love you channel and your honesty on these bikes so I'm hoping you can answer this for me is this tensioner issue carried into the 2012 twin cams ?? I just bought a streetbob with 1,400 miles .. Im gonna make this check a priority every 10k but is it something I should worry about ?? I put lots of miles on my bikes ... any info on this would be appreciated ..

My 2002 super glide had 64000 when i bought it. Tensioners were shot to hell. Luckily as a first harley owner, i knew to check them and i replaced them and cam bearings

Good stuff. I've bought 3 motorcycles from Bumpus H-D (Collierville)

'' Don't be afraid of Twin cams'' Check 'm every 10 thousand. When you find them worn [as your test shows there will be wear] be prepared to shell out for top end gasket kits, push rods and that is only if there isn't any further damage by circulating bits and pieces! Man hours? Hey it's just routine! Believe me you just have to really LOVE Harley Davidsons like I do! Yes, I do love Harleys, I'm on my fifth one. 1981 FXB, 1999 FLSTC, 2, XL1200C, 2003 FXDL. Currently Cautiously looking for my second Twin Cam Heritage Softail Classic.

Get the gasket before removing the cover. A ¼" 20tpi tap is ¼" UNC. Run it on a wire brush or use an old one with less bite to clean the thread lock out before removing the cover to make it run in true. Only do it if things feel tight taking the bolts out. Replacing the tensioners is a winter project so just get it in someone's house that can't live without the smell of oil and fuel.

How to avoid cam chain troubles on a twin cam. Simple by an EVO

Learning so please excuse my stupid questions. '14 Low Rider, replacing cam cover gasket, I have a minor leak oil is slowwwly seeping out between cam cover and cast. When I have it apart do I need to check the tensioner shoes, I have 32k on the bike. Any thing I should be inspecting at this mileage in there? Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I need to learn to do this work myself and do it proper.

You just got my sub hopefully I pick up my 01 fxd twin cam on Thursday, was supposed to get is Saturday but the service guy said he wasn't happy with how the mikuni was running so the ordered another carb...I've played with keihins alot...so I'm not sure what the problem was...anyway I want the mikuni also when I pick up the bike...first thing I'm going to do is check those tensioners though.

Some valuable info,thanks sir

awesome info and vid thank you

great advice! thanks!

Dude, those Cyco tensioner pads - that's a lot of piece of mind right there for real cheap. For what those hydraulic kits cost, you can buy a whole lot of those kits ...

What's the cost of the specialized tools used to facilitate removal and replacement of cam-chest components?? Can you provide an itemized list of such tools?

Isn't it a bit misleading when you point out that the inner boot is HD and the outside cyco? My boots were HD and the inner was wore down 200% more than the outer. I've seen this inner/outer wear pattern on several FB posts as well. Regardless, your videos have helped me tremendously. Thanks!

My advice to you: look into SFR products. Tell justa Tim sent you! I have 03' FXDX Dyna. I was introduced in 1989. Loving it ever since! Cooler running, much less friction, much better performance an mileage! I've run SFR with every bike I've owned since. I taught math and research, I've done the numbers!

I had OEM type put back , was told a better material than factory tensioners

I have a 2005 Harley Davidson Electra glide ultra classic your injected I just bought it 13,000 miles I wanted to replace a CAM TENSIONER UPGRADE PART Screamin eagle. Would love to see a video on it because I am gonna do it myself any suggestions

Take the chain and polish the links where they pivot with a dermal and the tensioner won't wear on the shoe as much. Jus be sure to really clean it when done

thanks for your information

So, what is the labor cost to replace the tensioners, as compared to the labor cost to install the Screaming Eagle hydraulic conversion kit? And how often do you need to inspect/replace the show on the hydraulic tensioner? Sincere questions.

What tools are needed, if I want to replace the shoes, cams, and upgrade to a Torrington bearings? Torque wrenches, tensioner relief socket, bearing puller/press plate, the cam plate bearings are pressed on the cams and pressed into the plate, right? I have a 05fxdi with 25k miles. I'm almost certain the previous owner did not inspect the tensioners. All the videos I've seen are gutting the original cam plate.

Great video thanks

I have a 2015 street glide with 35k on it. Is this bike affected by this tensioner issue or does it have the better stuff? I am hearing different info. some are saying this engine should at least go 100k without ANY issues at all, not even the tensioners, and some say its a twin cam so the tensioners are junk and fail..?

can you press out the cam without removing the cam bearing plate since it just holds the bearings in place.

My oem tensioners lasted 50k miles on my 06 Deluxe. I attribute the longevity to a smooth chain and possibly synth oil. I don't see why it won't go another 50k with new tensioners. If your tensioners didn't last long then I suggest you also upgrade your cam chains when you change them with quality ones such as Feulings. You should get a long life out of your new tensioners that way. Make sense?

Getting the Indy shops to do things, is tough, dealers won’t touch older bikes, Harley dealer told me it wasn’t actually a problem, one guy had me start the bike to listen for noise, several other shops wouldn’t touch it unless I was buying a cam job, mostly mechanics want to do what is good for them.

I heard in the video that you work at Bumpus was that in murfreeboro, Tn

hello. I am from Albania. I have an S & S engine (No. A09872) from 2000. I am looking for a catalog for installation instructions. can you suggest me where to look?

Is it okay to just change the shoe on the tensioner? Wouldn't the cam chain itself be stretched out? requiring a new chain and gears?? New to twin engines. Had a Shovelhead and An EVO years ago! Thanks for any info!!

How much is the LABOR for installing the camshaft/tensioner upgrade kit?

I bought a rebuilt 99 twin cam 88 at 580 km the tensioner shoe is finished it was just lucky I was worried about it and I checked.

I have checked my tensioners inner is fine outer is almost half so I'm changing that do i have to change the stock oil pump too?

Does the gasket on the timing cover need to be replaced if I just open it up to inspect?

Changed my 99 Roadking to the Screamin Eagle Hydraulic kit. I don't want to go back into that cam chest until I absolutely have too.

I have a 2017 Heritage. What advice on cam tensioner can you give me? 25k on the motor now.

Im typing early but how long did you see replacement spring tensioners last?

What about polishing the chain to eliminate or minimize the abrasion?

A few days ago my Harley Davidson mechanic says that that every 5000 miles with the oil change to hey give the bike a 140 point inspection and the cam tensioner is checked then.

How many miles you think you'll get out of cychos shoes?

Hallo David, I am writing you from Germany. I am watching your amazing videos since a while. Respect! 👍🏻 Now I am asking you for a little favor 🙏 I have a hard time to decide about a Fat Boy that I found, (2004 / 14, 000 Mile) in very good condition. just because of this issue that the Twin Cam has.. I just love the way the bike looks like. I have a sportster 883 for the moment from 2011 with just 3000 km that I would like to sell and to buy the Fat Boy but I am not sure if this it's a good idea. Can you please help me to decide!!! I appreciate a lot and thank you for your time! Greetings Calin!

What’s the part number for the gasket?

That exactly correct. That would have kept a lot of problems from ever happening. Every 10k

Where's this link for the chain shoes?

Cool background thingamajig

Can I purchase cyco by cyco pads in Australia ?? Thanks love your vids

Well i had over 20,000 on my 2002 deuce had a good garage Harley mechanic do a hydraulic tensioner and screaming eagle cam he wanted to go through the top you know the deal tank off and on word she runs real good ,he did say why not she is twenty years old do the gaskets its old.

how difficult is it to get to the inner plastic shoe?

Gotta love the kick the can down the road classic Harley guy attitude

The inner shoe is difficult to check, and WAY more difficult to replace if you want to keep the original pushrods. I wonder why Harley-Davidson didn't at least make the cam-to-cam connection gear-to-gear. I doubt that it would have added to the noise that much, and the amount of pinion run-out shouldn't matter.

thx

according to harley they spent 2.5 million miles testing the twin cam engine. I guess they never had cam tensioner issues lol. Also its pretty much a fact that the inner tensioner has alot more wear than the outer

I got 118,500 miles on my 03 Road King. I'm on the 4th set of tensioners.

When I rode both my Harley and my Triumph to work every day I would put 30,000 miles a year on the bike. I never worried about cam chain failure destroying my engines like my Honda did. My CX500 Honda died of cam chain disease at 250,000 miles. I would adjust it as instructed in the manual when I would do a service. Harley-Davidson engineered so much crap into these engines that is deplorable that they put them on the market under developed. If you have any miles on a twin cam Harley you will not be able to utilize a gear drive because the run out on your crankshaft will greatly exceed the run-out required. When you buy a $20,000 motorcycle you should not have major engine defects in it. Such a sorry State of Affairs. Honda or any of the other Japanese motorcycle companies would never put out a bike with major defects. In their culture it would be considered dishonorable.

I just bought a ST Deluxe, 2005 with 89K on it. Yes. 89,990 miles! I wish I could post a picture because this thing looks like it has never left the showroom; runs perfectly and pulls like a train. This issue has got me sweating so I just drove it home on Sunday and will inspect before riding again. The owner has had it since 11K and says the job has never been done?!?! Is this a magic Harley?

So what's your thoughts on the 07 Deuce 98 engine

It really IS important to check those shoes. A friend had his let go at 35,000 miles. I don't know if my 2000 had extra tough shoes or if it is my riding style but mine lasted to 88,000 miles. At the 10,000 mark I switched to Amsoil and changed it at every 5,000 miles. I'm a cruiser, rarely rev it higher than 3200. Don't have to it has lots of torque. The dealer installed screaming eagle ignition module, rejetted carb and reworked the air filter to let in more air. Screaming eagle air filter with the oil removal tubes so oil vapor never went into the intake. It had so much torque I could ease the clutch in first gear at idle and it would pull right away. I'm in the process of changing the shoes now. Bought the shop manual and watched a bunch of videos to see what I'm up against.

i have the gasket for the case so that's a start.

When my 2004 hit 25000 miles, I couldn't afford to replace the tensioners. Dealer wanted $1500. I was so worried about destroying my engine I just sold the bike. Wish I had kept it.

With the twin cam Harley should have put in better cranks that were straight and stayed straight and used gear drive from the factory.

Everyone should know it is the inside tensioner that wears the most. I do not think the Cyco option is good either because the springs on the tensioners themselves can be weak or break. Checking tensioners every year or 10,000 miles can get old as well, especially if you have to remove the entire exhaust system. Use the hydraulic upgrade or the 07 and up cam plate with conversion cams and adjustable pushrods. Fix it once, fix it right. If you were to buy a factory long block it would come with the 07 and up cam plate and the case would accept the newer cams with the larger inner bearings.

What dealer will only charge an extra $50 to check them?

My 2000 Road king's tensioner went out at 11,000 miles. I changed the every 3,000 with Mobil one 20w50 It takes more than 10 mins to check the tensioners because of the exhaust removal. Many owners have after market exhaust, the cam cover can't be removed without pulling the exhaust. Spend $50.00 ? No dealer will only charge $50.00 ha ha , I don't even think they will talk to you for 50.00

Cyko tensioner kit= $15 Who know how difficult this kit may be to purchase in the future. If you plan to keep your twin cam for an extended amount of time I would purchase a couple of these kits and know your covered for the life of your bike.

Knock on wood I have 83k on my 2010 road glide after listening think it's time but not a few minutes job exhaust has to come off and other things you know

Gear drive period

$50 minimum to order at cyco gasket

A cam chain driven overhead valve system is cheap and nasty. All of my Hondas died from cam chain disease. My gear driven Sportster outlasted my liquid-cooled Japanese wonder by 100,000 miles and it is still in running condition. My triumphs and bsa's are all gear driven. Harley's last good motor was the Evolution motor that AMF spent seven years designing. My Airhead BMW 100 / 7 the cam chain lasted 500,000 MI it has automatic Adjusters I'd you don't have to mess with. The best way to avoid cam chain failure is to bite the bullet and get a gear drive cam. I would not take a twin cam or a Harley M8 because they are so ridiculously expensive to repair built-in defects by Harley-Davidson. All of the Japanese manufacturers have cam chain tensioners that last much longer than crap Harley has. Neither will I ever buy a fuel injected motorcycle. Today's motorcycles are only a collection of government regulations on two wheels. Harley-Davidson made of tin, ride them out and push them in.

Anyone with commonsense can replace the tensioners. Its not the end of the world. Replace them and ride another 30k. Change the oil and go.

would love to order them and get shipped to Germany. Set of shoes 15 $ , Shipment 40$ :). Could somebody order it in USA and send it to me via an ordinary letter? I cover the costs.