Replacing chain cam with gears - Harley Forum

BCJ · #1 12-09-2007, 07:00 PM

I am looking at replacing the chain drive cam with gears on my 2003 TC88B, everything I read about this is hit or miss, there is no hard evidence if this is really a problem or not, it looks random. If the CAM tensioners are wearing good should I worry about it. Would like to do the work myself, plan on using the S & S 510G set. Any info on how easy or hard the process is. I am a capable mechanic, but worry about doing this type of timing work, would really hate to mess up the engine.

BCJ

94flhtcu · #2 12-10-2007, 12:29 AM

My bet is you'll do just fine. I did my wife's heritage myself. I am a mechanic, but not a pro bike mechanic. The trouble I ran into was improvising the tools to press the bearings into the cam plate. I then borrowed the tools to r&r the inner bearings, and I was off. It went together like it had eyes. Runs great, and we're using the S&S
510g.

Having said all that, there are better chain kits out there. Some say the chains are more quiet. I can hear the gear drive, but being a mech also, I like the sound of things working. It's a "happy" sound compared to the rattle of the tensioners. This bike is ridden as a solo, and it's lots of fun. I tell ya, after fixing her bike, I had to spruce up my '94 ultra to be able to keep up with her!

#3 12-10-2007, 12:55 AM

To me the chain cam is a weak link in the system. As you say it is hit and miss....some may fail at 18000 some at 60,000. The system does work and is quiet, but it is a royal pain in the rear to check them as often as one should. Many have opened up the cover to discover they were very lucky to have not waited. The inboard tensioner is so hard to see and takes a mirror and sometimes flexible light to see andthere still could be stress cracks orpieces gone that you can't see. The uneasyness of it all is the catastrophic damage that can occur it it fails.
I understand that the newest tensioners are made of a different material that are supposed to last longer and of course have doubled in price somewhere around $150. And of course there are replacement roller chain systems that are supposed to be better these days.
I am sold one gear cams myself. The are harder to set up and are somewhat louder but that is not a concern to me. Parts are a little high in my opinion but it is a more precise system and one less worry to me.
Why does Harley have chain drive? As you probably know the silent chain is to help conforn to total noise reduction. On top of that it's about money and profit. Cost of parts and thetime to properly set up the gear drive means less profit.
Tools are a problem if you haven't got them but they can be found on the net reasonable. And using the oven/freezer method can be used. Personal thoughts are that if it is going to be a one time change on one bike you would come out about the same letting an expert install the gear drive and be done with it. Indy's around here charge about $300. Last time I priced the tools you might need it was close to $400. But, doing it yourself has it's own rewards and bennifits.