[Guest]

Hi all - I just purchased my first HD RG and will be picking it up next weekend. I choose the RG because I had the chance to ride one from Dallas to NY last summer and fell in love with the bike. I've been riding since I was 10 and I'm older than dirt now - this bike will my #6 bike in the garage. In my early years I use to race bikes and now spend most of my time building customs and classics. My specialty is very early CB750's and cafe bikes. I may be getting older but I sure the hell ain't running any slower.

My question pertains to the 2002 RG. My buddies have been telling me that there was a problem with the cam tensioners on the 88 motor and it should be upgraded. I plan to look into that. The bike I purchased has about 38K on it and seems to be in very good shape.

I would appreciate any comments from anyone on things I should be looking out for with the 88 motor. I plan to do some long haul touring with this bike and I am able to do most of the mechanical work in my shop on this bike.
thanks-

 

[pte359]

Welcome to the dark side.. I have heard something about the tensioners but do not remember what it was.
Where you located.

 

[Guest]

I'm located in Rochester NY - three more months of snow and ice - it's going to be a long winter this year...

 

[Sonar_Chris]

Cam chain tensionser on the TC88's can go bad anywhere from 30K-??? I believe that the first check on those is at 25K miles. You can buy the newer style hydrolic tensioners in the TC96 motors. It seems to be a more reliable system, but if you were going to go through the trouble of that, you might as well install a set of gear drive cams.

 

[pte359]

I have several friends there.. Jim Lipari , Mike Fauci, Gary Waganhals..
We used to race karts and drove for Coyote Chassis

 

[Roadie09]

Welcome aboard, I hope you ride that bike more than the last owner. Post up some pictures when you get the bike home.

 

[groupw]

.... welcome to the Darkside, bMartin.
......... i'd bet the RG becomes your favorite ride in the garage one'a these days soon.

 

[CHAINSAW]

Welcome to the forums. I used to be into the SOHC 750's, and the 650's as well.

 

[mattman22033]

Most definitely inspect/replace the cam chain tensioners. Mine were destroyed in my 02 CVO RK back in July. My whole cam chest including the cams needed to be replaced. The final cost was $1600...all I paid was $60 thanks to the having an extended warranty.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[RoadGlideRider]

Welcome and here is theinformation from the Harley Web site.

Screamin' Eagle® Hydraulic Cam Chain Tensioner Plate Upgrade Kit
This kit updates the cam chain tensioner of your early-model Twin Cam 88® engine to the latest design, as featured on the Twin Cam 96 engine. The billet cam support plate has been designed to allow the installation of the late-model Twin Cam 96 hydraulic cam chain tensionser to early Twin Cam 88®-equipped models. These hydraulic cam chain tensioners will significantly outlast® the spring loaded tensioners, and are an ideal addition to an engine modified for improved performance. In addition, '02-'06 models feature the late-model single row front cam chain and sprockets ('99 - '01 models use the existing front silent chain). utilize a Twin Cam 96 single row front roller chain and sprocket (included in kit). '99-'01 models use Original Equipment front silent chain and sprocket to retain the cam position sensor function. The kit includes the improved late-model Twin Cam 96 oil pump that increases flow by 8% and scavenging by 22% to enhance other performance upgrades.

25284-08

Fits '99-'05 Dyna® models, '99-06 Touring models, and '00-'06 Softail® models. Installation requires separate purchase of Spacer Kit P/N 25285-08.
MSRP US $429.95

Download Instruction Sheet PDF

Screamin' Eagle® Cam Chain Tensioner Spacer Kit25285-08
Required for installation of Screamin' Eagle® Hadraulic Cam Chain Tensioner Upgrade Kit P/N 25284-08.
MSRP US $17.95

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the input, I'm begining to understand that HD is standing for "Another Hundred Dollars"....lol I'm sure this bike will be one of favorite rides in the stable and I'm looking forward to getting it here and start working one the items that will need to be updated or repaired for next ridding season.

Question on using "Cam Gears" instead of chains??? I knew about the upgrade chain kit - I didn't know about using a gear train instead... Any more info on using the gear train...

The bike I am buying is basically stock - which is what I was looking for - it does have a carb with reverse cone exhaust. It will need a rear tire (what else is new) I'm told it runs pretty strong with the newer HD's. The bike color is red with pin strips - nice looking to me.

I will get the engine work done and I'm thinking about Continential tires for front and rear. I use this brand tire on my SOHO and have had good luck with wear and traction. Others have talk about dunlop tires - but I've never been a big fan of dunlops.

I will post pictures later...

thanks bm_

 

[Neano62]

Feeding Time in the Tank is 24-7!
O-Hi-O! Round on the Ends and HI in the Middle.

I had a 99 Ultra,... I'm pretty sure the problem was taken care of b/4 2002 models came out. Mite of been earlier than that!, but there is a shaft that wore down that had ball bearings in it, Cam Shaft?, anyway I forget x-actly why it was wearing, but once it did, and this was just on certain bikes not all,the bearings would drop and x-plode in the motor!
Cam Shaft Rod?-Tube? I cant remember x-actly
I'm no mechanic, but a mechanic usually can make sence of what I'm saying.

 

[pte359]

Many here as well as others have gone to the Dunlop E3 tire, it is the factory tire for the goldwing and the load rating is 935##, It is also H speed rated @ 130 mph. I have had mine on for about a year and love them.
I just ordered a set for a friend from DennisKirk.com $211.00 shipped to my door for the set. I do not know if DrVtwin deals with tires or not but u can check with him too.

 

[DTTJGlide]

I just replaced the stock tensioners with the SE hydraulic set up this fall, I think it's the best value since you get an upgraded oil pump with the kit. Gear drives are fine but a little more expensive, a lot more expensive if you're planning on staying with the stock cams. If you're not planning on doing a lot of engine mods the SE kit is the way to go. The stock tensioners are known to last from anywhere 20K to 80K, they're pretty easy to inspect, just have to remove exhaust so you can remove the cam cover to inspect. There are 2, an inner & outer, the inner is usually known to wear the most. You'll have to use a small dentist's mirror to see the inner, the outer is right out in the open. If they're worn more than 1/3 to 1/2 way through I'd replace them. If they fail they can do a lot of damage, probably taking out the cams, lifters, oil pump, & all the bearings in the cam chest, so it's good preventive maintainence.

 

[Rowdy]

I am not familiar with the cam tensioner isssue, but wanted to shout out a welcome aboard. Lot's of good info here, should help ya out.

Rowdy

 

[Jayray]

S&S gear driven cams and bigger oil pump. A little gear whine at idle, no biggie. Runs like it is mad at the world=all good!

 

[Stash905]

You have 3 options: replace original shoes when they are worn before failure; install Harley upgrade kit; or install gear drive cams which eliminates chain.

 

[joke]

Welcome - you can pop the cam cover and look at the forward tensioner shoe and see if it's worn, if it is then that plastic is cruising through your engine. You can also check the oil filter for pieces. But as others have said - if you're going to replace the shoes you might as well do the whole thing - cam plate, new oil pump, and new gear driven cams. Check the Andrews site for more info. http://www.hotbikeweb.com/tech/0612_hbkp_andrews_harley_cam_conversion_kit/photo_03.html

Hey, it's only money - Bwa-ha-ha-ha!!! Welcome to the Harley-Davidson FLTR!