[BigNorm]

I have close to 50k on the original 2011 103 and am playing with the idea of putting cams in. I have never done cams on a mc before but have done plenty of V8s in my time. It is my understanding that the twin cam motor uses needle bearings in the cam bearings. It would seem that they would get less wear than say your brass automotive equivalent and those are just getting broke in at 50k. Is there any real danger to just swapping the cam without swapping the bearings?

 

[HellInABucket]

I have close to 50k on the original 2011 103 and am playing with the idea of putting cams in. I have never done cams on a mc before but have done plenty of V8s in my time. It is my understanding that the twin cam motor uses needle bearings in the cam bearings. It would seem that they would get less wear than say your brass automotive equivalent and those are just getting broke in at 50k. Is there any real danger to just swapping the cam without swapping the bearings?

Danger? I dont know, but there's no danger in a simple bearing upgrade while you're already in there.

 

[Smarty]

Yes, by all means change the inner cam bearings and the outer ones too. The inner ones are of inferior design. Put in torrington bearings and you will be good to go.

 

[BigNorm]

Torrington? I thought S&S was the way to go. Thank you for your input.

 

[torqu]

Timken, Torrington, & Koyo are all the same now. These bearings are a much better design. Real easy to change if you have the tools.

 

[Eagle]

so you want to put new $400-$600 cams in old bearings just to save about $ 15 if your that far in I would change them

 

[Smarty]

By the way, you can get the bearings at a bearing supply house a lot cheaper!

 

[nsbohall]

Danger? I dont know, but there's no danger in a simple bearing upgrade while you're already in there.

+++1 on this. You're already in there, install some new ones.

 

[SMOKENJOE]

Cams r us

THE LOCAL BOYS HERE CALL ME JOE CAMS R US I CAN CHANGE MY 2010 ROAD GLIDE CAMS IN 3 HOURS HERE IS A TOOL YOU WILL NEED THE MOST TIME SPENT IS CHANGING MY EXHAUST

HARLEY-TC-INNER-CAM-BEARING-INSTALLER-PULLER-TOOLS
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HARLEY-TC-I...LS-/270698233814?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

US $99.99
Shipping:
$5.95 Expedited Shipping

BESIDES S&S CAMS COMES WITH NEW BEARINGS

 

[Desertwndrr]

New bearings are definitely recommended. Not only because of the wear and fatigue of the old bearings, but also because they have much more surface area and more rollers than the original style bearings. The replacements are much better and more supportive of the cam surfaces.

 

[Hillsidecycle.com]

If the OE's fail, and harm the bearing bore, you'll be splitting the cases to have that repaired.
We use Sonnax(Torrington) bearings here.
Scott

 

[ironmark]

If the cam bearing have already been upgrade to the Sonnax bearing then you can get away with using the same cam bearings. Of course it depends on how long the bearing have been in service, but for the cost of the bearings it is a good idea to swap them out if you can.
I have pulled my cams and reinstalled them a couple of times and I never swapped out the bearings and I haven't had any problems but my cam bearings have been upgraded to the Sonnax bearings. I wouldn't do it with the OEM cam bearings.

 

[BigNorm]

My thought was getting by without the tool. I will swap the bearings out.

 

[Straitline]

Yes replace the bearings. Harbor freight has a hidden bearing puller for about 50 bucks.

 

[jack6hd]

Same here.

 

[jack6hd]

If the cam bearing have already been upgrade to the Sonnax bearing then you can get away with using the same cam bearings. Of course it depends on how long the bearing have been in service, but for the cost of the bearings it is a good idea to swap them out if you can.
I have pulled my cams and reinstalled them a couple of times and I never swapped out the bearings and I haven't had any problems but my cam bearings have been upgraded to the Sonnax bearings. I wouldn't do it with the OEM cam bearings.

Same here.

 

[SharknoseScott]

THE LOCAL BOYS HERE CALL ME JOE CAMS R US I CAN CHANGE MY 2010 ROAD GLIDE CAMS IN 3 HOURS HERE IS A TOOL YOU WILL NEED THE MOST TIME SPENT IS CHANGING MY EXHAUST

HARLEY-TC-INNER-CAM-BEARING-INSTALLER-PULLER-TOOLS
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HARLEY-TC-I...LS-/270698233814?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

US $99.99
Shipping:
$5.95 Expedited Shipping

BESIDES S&S CAMS COMES WITH NEW BEARINGS

Why don't they call you punctuation Joe?

 

[RGKen]

Why don't they call you punctuation Joe?

^^^Lol!^^^ I was thinking the same thing but didn't say it. ?

 

[Road dawg]

From being a Tech for over 25 yrs I say def yes to new cam bearings, I bought the install kit with my fueling cams from fueling also they came with Timken, great quality bearing.

 

[sj01fltri]

If you are in there any way for the small price of the bearings it would bring me great piece of mind just knowing i did the right thing,Trust me if you dont an the old bearings take a shit you will be kicking yourself in the ass later.