| Author | Message | ||
     Avalaugh |
In the process of doing my valve check. Front exhaust camshaft looks rather pitted on 1 edge, does this look like it will need to be replaced ??  | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
what does the shim that goes under it look like? | ||
| Avalaugh |
Was ok, 0.25mm clearance, a bit on the tight side but within tolerance (Message edited by Avalaugh on November 17, 2011) | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
Out of curiosity, how many miles on the engine? (I'm guessing around 12K since you're doing the valve check.) What kind of oil? What sort of riding/operating conditions? | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
okay was thinking more along lines of surface condition damage to edge etc | ||
| Avalaugh |
I haven't taken shim out yet. 15500 miles, I've owned from 3000 miles and have changed oil often, every 3-4k using silkolene 15-50 off the top of my head. It does get ridden hard but always warmed up. I think zac4mac had this problem too, it's not oil related, the early bikes seem to suffer this problem ! | ||
| Cataract2 |
Zac did have that happen when he did his first check. He got it replaced under warranty and that was it. His next check all was ok. | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
I think mine's an early bike, and I'm only halfway to the valve check interval. My warranty expires next month too. Was Zac's bike under warranty when he got the cam replaced, or did Harley cover it outside of warranty? | ||
| Freezerburn840 |
what is considered early year bike? 2008 with a manufacture date of 2007? what? | ||
| Timebandit |
it would be interesting to know how many people have done the valve checks and not encountered the problem. we have a numerator, but we need a denominator. if my warranty expired next month, i just might do the checks early in case there's anything to find that would be covered under warranty. it's not as if they're going to penalize you for checking things ahead of schedule. | ||
| Thunderbike |
Has nothing to do with the oil,its a metal thing.I asked in a previous thread,which cams were found pitted?The two I've run into have both been frt.exhaust,and both were well maintained.On the other hand we've got one of the pre production launch bikes as a race bike and all cams were perfect(it's only seen track miles). | ||
| Zac4mac |
Loretta was still with warranty and on "Infant Care". I really think, in retrospect, everything would have been fine, unattended. The sharp edges of the initial de-lam were getting smoother, zero degradation to the follower. CS told High Country to replace the cam and follower on warranty. BTW, Loretta was "born" 07NOV07, second week of production, VIN ends with 00154. Z | ||
| Zac4mac |
Oh, here's what mine looked like -  | ||
| Avalaugh |
That's my trail of thought Zac, the follower is fine !! What's peoples views on leaving it and I could check again next year ?? I cover between 7-8k a year. | ||
| Freezerburn840 |
mine is 07 dec. 00440 | ||
| Avalaugh |
I'll take a look at my vin when I get home, the sticker said feb 08 | ||
| Smoke |
i would recommend changing that cam! you are there already and it won't heal itself and it could take out a lot of other parts if it fails. lose oil pump-could mean complete rebuild. jmo! tim | ||
| Reepicheep |
I had an M2 cam do that same thing, but not nearly as bad. Had I ignored it, I suspect it would have been fine. But once I saw it, it would have bugged me forever knowing I put it back. So I replaced it, and the brief pang of pain I felt swiping the credit card to buy it was the last moment I regretted it. From then on I enjoyed the peace of mind. It looks cool on the desk sitting beside me. | ||
| Avalaugh |
Zac what mileage was on yours when you noticed the camshaft wear ? I'm thinking this could have been like this since the break-in period ? I'm seriously thinking about leaving it until next year. To pull the frame is no problem for me as I don't use the bike during winter anyway. | ||
| Geforce |
I'd replace it. When cam lobes start to delaminate there's no amount of wishful thinking that will make it better. IF... the lobe wipes completely at high RPM you could suffer damage to other engine components unexpectedly. To me, it's just not worth the headache of worrying about it until next year. I would rather spend the money on the new parts and not take the chance of replacing other components or having to do machine work later. If you have the funds and skill, replace it and do yourself and the bike a favor. Good luck! | ||
| Thunderbike |
Does'nt matter if the followers look ok.They must be replaced with the new cam,well known thing about cams and followers. | ||
| Sportster_mann |
The cam's going to cost less than £235 at Jersey HD, so it's worth replacing for peace of mind. http://www.jerseyh-d.com/products/275267-exhaust-c amshaft.aspx | ||
| Syonyk |
As far as I know, my cams are fine - I just had the valves done with around 28k and there was no indication the cams were chewed up (I assume they would have told me if there was cam damage). I used to run Syn3 or Amsoil (depending on who did the oil change), and now it's purely Amsoil 20W50. I usually let the bike warm up to at least 120F coolant temps before riding gently, and wait until it's up to temp to get on it hard. | ||
| Avalaugh |
Syonyk, would you like to be the tech to say your camshaft is spent, bikes outta warranty it's gonna cost you $XXXX But you've only got 12000miles on your bike ........ I'm guessing there's more bikes out there with this underlying problem . | ||
| Cycledoc59 |
Here are what appear to be a complete set of cams, gears and all, for about $80. Since the pics don't show much, more info before buying would be good... http://tinyurl.com/7yxdeys That damage is called spalling, and is the fault of the cam manufacturer. It has nothing to do with oil, type of riding, etc. http://www.tribology-abc.com/poll/case07.htm | ||
| Avalaugh |
I had seen these on eBay, and been in touch with the seller. They are being shipped next week. | ||
| Rt_performance |
My 09 had 10 k on it when i checked the valves cams were perfect. Wonder if this is causing the valve to drop i know if a hand full that have . these motors are real ugly after that | ||
| Dmfb88 |
My valve dropped and my cams where perfect. My motor also held up when the valve kissed the piston. I thought these motors where pretty tough after seeing that. | ||
| Zac4mac |
From what I've read, this was a problem with a FEW early cams. I found mine when I tore down for the first valve check at 12.4k miles. I'm at 27+k now, all cams looked good at the 25k service. 6 of 8 valves were tight and required new shims. Zack | ||
| 1_mike |
Mine's...not early..! Well, not an early 08 anyway. But it is an early 09. Pit's like Zac's but only about half his damage, right across the nose. I'll be taking mine apart over the holidays to replace the cam AND followers. And for what it may be worth...ANY lobe damage is worth replacing...in my opinion..! Mike |
