Hi All,

I have just upgraded from a 2013 Sportie to a 2014 Wide Glide which has now got a whole 200 Km on it  :-)

I am starting to find on the Internet that the 103 Engine reliability isn't all that flash.  From what I understand, these engines suffer from a Cam Chain Slipper issue and left un-maintained could result in a catastropjic failure.  The article I read was a few years old.

Does this issue still need to be considered with the current engine?

 

Pete

 

I'd check the outboard one at 120,000

The inboard one should last till you rebuild the bike or forever, whatever comes first.  imho

What's ya thoughts on going Gear Drive??

I've asked around on this same issue Pete, I think I read the same article. From all I've heard the cam-chain followers, although better assembled these days, are still made of a nylon type compound and will wear eventually. You sort of answered the question yourself when you say "if left unmaintained". I was told they're now checked at certain service intervals anyway, but not sure exactly what those intervals are. Somewhere on this forum there's a comparro pic of a new vs worn tensioner, so if your handy mechanically you could check them yourself.

Hey G'Day Jayman,

Yea, luck is - I am a Motor Mechanic by trade so won't have any concerns doing it myself, but I would have thought by now that HD would see this as a reoccurring issue and used a more reliable material on the Slipper. I work for Caterpillar and know that once CAT recognise they have a Product Problem, then it's modified to resolve.

I get on very well with the Dealer's Service Manager so I will have a chat to him over the next couple of days to get a better understanding from a dealers prospective and get back to you.

Yea, I think ya right Harry.
Maintain is all that is required....... But how often is the question. I'll get that from the Dealer.

They replaced the orange pad around 2010 ish i think it was

The new white material should last a long time

I've pulled orange ones at 70,000, very slight wear, also at 130,000 outer shot, inner almost mint

pulled the new white ones at 50,000 both mint, I can only relay what i have seen.

Don't worry about it. its that simple it will out last you before you get ride of your bike.

Don't even bother thinking of gear drives unless you true up your crank

 

Oh and them orange ones start of white LOL

Yes Ando the white ones do take on an orange look due to oil stain

But the fist series from 07 till white ones were introduced were ORANGE to start with.

What'll happens if Iwe actually ride them though Beagle? The risk of trouble increases exponentially. It sounds like too greater risk.

"Oil filter debris will tell you what's goin on before shit happens, service it regular an ride ??"

+ 1 Hilly ,,,,, Cut open the oil filter with grinder,,, remove the mesh filter and extend it . You get your hands a little dirty, but you get an idea what may be happening in the engine !!!

http://www.goodson.com/Oil-Filter-Inspection-Tool/

F--k me speedster,, I would have dropped my pants and run up George St in Sydney, if someone told me there was a tool that helps with cutting open an oil filter !!!! But there it is !!!! Well I'll be F--ked !!!

Hell no, I'm too tight to spend those $$ .
Never thought of trying a can opener though, does it work ?

I'd say the ones that take the whole lid off probably would. I will give it a go next filter change and see. Looks like it beats the grinder for ease and no sparks around the place or in ya eyes.

Regarding the cam chain tensioner, its nothing to worry about. The twin cam engines after 2006 now have a hydraulic cam tensioner adjustment system. This means that it does not wear out as quickly as the tension is adjused by hydraulics depending on engine speed rather than a dumb spring system applying constant pressure to the chain as it spins. The pre 2006 models potentially have had this issue but has since been rectified by the hydraulic system. From memory I believe theyre supposed to last over 60000kms. The nylon material they use for the tensioner shoes is a completely retarded idea, but unfortunately most bike manufacturers are going this way. I believe they use nylon to reduce engine noise to please those epa assholes. If you inspect the tensioner shoes at at your major service intervals you will be fine and will not cost much either if you incorporate the inspection as part of a major service.

Just ride it and enjoy it man, its much too soon to worry bout engine problems.

Thanks All for the FeedBack.

I have decided to satay with the Chain Drive and not go Gear Drive but put into place a Maintenance Strategy that will include the Cam Chain & Slippers.

Just need to work out a sweet spot. I have in mind, every 50,000K ?!?!?!?

Yeah man the maintenance strategy is your best bet. The mechanics do not always inspect this item so it is a good thing to be aware of. As long as you periodically inspect them you'll be fine and will not have any issues. If you work on y own bike yourself, even better. Any signs of wear, have them replaced right away as they're not expensive to buy. But as mentioned before, the hydraulic tensioner system has greatly increased the life span of the tensioners and fingers crossed you should be alright for a very long time. I am personally planning to check mine every 25k to be on the safe side. But that is because old bike (suzuki) had the cam chain tensiors fail twice in a 50000km period and a freaking expensive fix both times (dumb chain with constant pressure, not hydraulically adjustable). So I am understandably podantic about this issue. Best of luck man.

Hey Berserker,

I am hearing you. I had a VTR1000 which was the biggest heap of shit I have ever owned in my entire life. All good new but after a while they deteriorate like hell. Jap's have no ideate when it comes to maintenance management - just sell more parts !!!!
That's one of the reasons why I left those clowns.

Anyway, that aside, I will put a schedule in place to take care of the Cam Box.

I'm getting mine changed out in a weeks time. I will have 70,000 kms on it from new and I haven't thrashed it. I'm interested to see it myself. Mines an 08 FLHT 96, not a 103 but I think it's the same set-up. I will post the results.