HarleyTechTalk

Technical Forums => Twin Cam => Topic started by: rbabos on October 22, 2011, 12:59:48 PM

Title: Cam Chains and Balancer Chain
Post by: rbabos on October 22, 2011, 12:59:48 PM
Oddly enough I cannot find out the life expectancy of these components. At 30k and due to where it is I will most likely replace the balancer chain, but not sure about the primary and secondary cam chains. What's a safe milage to run these to before replacement should be considered?
Ron
Title: Re: Cam Chains and Balancer Chain
Post by: calgary56 on October 22, 2011, 04:06:17 PM
Can't speak to the balancing chain issue, but I ran my cam chains for 152,000 miles before they were replaced on re-manufacture (2005 95" SE203 Mobil 1 15W-50)

and I now have just shy of 60,000 miles on the cam chains in it now
Title: Re: Cam Chains and Balancer Chain
Post by: rbabos on October 22, 2011, 04:16:36 PM
Quote from: calgary56 on October 22, 2011, 04:06:17 PM
Can't speak to the balancing chain issue, but I ran my cam chains for 152,000 miles before they were replaced on re-manufacture (2005 95" SE203 Mobil 1 15W-50)

and I now have just shy of 60,000 miles on the cam chains in it now
I have been following the awesome milage you have attained. It would seem the cams chains have a really long life then. Worst case, no big deal to change at high milage. Counterbalance chain on the other hand is buried , with no access once the case is together. I will likely replace it just for a warm and fuzzy feeling.
Ron
Title: Re: Cam Chains and Balancer Chain
Post by: moose on October 23, 2011, 01:53:28 AM
ron
i replaced mine at around 30k only cause the case was apart. there was nothing wrong with the chain or guides just for piece of  mind while your in there. It's better than thinking should I have done that after it's together
Title: Re: Cam Chains and Balancer Chain
Post by: RevFastEddy on October 23, 2011, 04:58:42 AM
It is not the chain that is the problem it is the plastic tension blocks on the cam chain and the plastic guide shows on the balancer. When I pulled my balancer set out there was almost no stretch compared to a new chain but the plastic guide and tensioned show was 70% gone... thats about 110,000 miles.  Moral of the story.. metal lasts longer than plastic.
Title: Re: Cam Chains and Balancer Chain
Post by: hd06myway on October 23, 2011, 05:45:14 AM
I wouldn't bother with the balancer chains/guides at 30k, you shou;d have a lot of life left there...
Title: Re: Cam Chains and Balancer Chain
Post by: rbabos on October 23, 2011, 06:33:08 AM
Quote from: hd06myway on October 23, 2011, 05:45:14 AM
I wouldn't bother with the balancer chains/guides at 30k, you shou;d have a lot of life left there...
Guides only have about 14k on them because I swapped them out when I did the 113. Not a lot of wear on the oems and these parts are cheap enough. Seems like chain life is better than I thought, which is a good thing. :up:
Ron