Randall K. Wilson
Junior Member
I kind of re-started a thread here recently about the 88 Twin-Cam Chain tensioner thingy.
Got a call yesterday, two friends who rode their H-D Ultras to Alaska from Indiana were in Wyoming headed home from Alaska. Yep cycles in the back of a U-HAUL box van rental truck.
One gent was on a 2003 Ultra and one on a 1998 Ultra (evolution engine). On the way back the gent on the 2003 started hearing the metal sound of trouble. Went to a HD shop, but they were getting ready to close. He decided to risk it and keep traveling toward home. (HD shops not to close together up there)
The internal engine sound got worse, eventually he limped into a HD shop. Then his engine was torn down and yep, the failure of the chain cam tensioner rub plates was the issue. It is my understanding that the oil pump was hampered, and damage was done to the crank and perhaps other areas of the engine. My pal told the gents at the shop to box up the engine pieces he was going to get a truck load up everything and head to Indiana.
A very gloomy end to an adventurous ride to Alaska from Indiana.
The 2003 Ultra had 37,000 miles when this senario came to fruition.
My other friend who has a 1998 Ultra with perhaps 25K, his cycle did fine and dandy.
With my 2003 Roadking having 40,000 miles and even though I have heard nothing negative, I'm going to get my chain cam tensioners checked out by my personal mechanic to prevent something worse from happening.
Stay tuned:
Got a call yesterday, two friends who rode their H-D Ultras to Alaska from Indiana were in Wyoming headed home from Alaska. Yep cycles in the back of a U-HAUL box van rental truck.
One gent was on a 2003 Ultra and one on a 1998 Ultra (evolution engine). On the way back the gent on the 2003 started hearing the metal sound of trouble. Went to a HD shop, but they were getting ready to close. He decided to risk it and keep traveling toward home. (HD shops not to close together up there)
The internal engine sound got worse, eventually he limped into a HD shop. Then his engine was torn down and yep, the failure of the chain cam tensioner rub plates was the issue. It is my understanding that the oil pump was hampered, and damage was done to the crank and perhaps other areas of the engine. My pal told the gents at the shop to box up the engine pieces he was going to get a truck load up everything and head to Indiana.
A very gloomy end to an adventurous ride to Alaska from Indiana.
The 2003 Ultra had 37,000 miles when this senario came to fruition.
My other friend who has a 1998 Ultra with perhaps 25K, his cycle did fine and dandy.
With my 2003 Roadking having 40,000 miles and even though I have heard nothing negative, I'm going to get my chain cam tensioners checked out by my personal mechanic to prevent something worse from happening.
Stay tuned: