Cam Chain Extenders

Puddlejumper · 03-26-2013, 11:23 AM

With Tim Acree's instructions in hand, I checked my cam chain tensioners this morning. Both front and rear are down inside the tensioner body 1/4 inch. Bike is a 2007 1600 nomad with just over 20,000 miles. Had been hearing what sounded like a rattle in the front. Was hoping it was not the tensioners, but I think now it is. I guess it is time to call Joe at Chucksters and get some extenders on the way. I will change them soon, but with 1/16 inch of travel left, can the bike be ridden a few more miles with no damage being done? Thanks, and keep the painted side up.

**MAS Tequila** · 03-26-2013, 12:02 PM

You can ride it some more without damage.

Just don't wait to long.

Eat A Peach

MT

dshelly · 03-26-2013, 01:03 PM

Just measured an extra tensioner I have and when the rack is compleatly bottomed out it's .359 below the threaded part of the tensioner body. That gives you about another 2 clicks left.

davidhollinger · 03-26-2013, 02:25 PM

50,001 miles on my 2002. I dont hear a rattle or noise or notice any leaking. I am sure it is time for it to be done but I dont know when or WHO is going to do it. Not me this time. Might order them and take the instructions to the shop.

Puddlejumper · 03-26-2013, 03:43 PM

Thought it might have some miles left before changing, glad to hear it does. I will go ahead and order the extenders in the next few days, and plan to change them within the next month. I can see the front one will be a bear to do as my bike is still stock. Can the tube going between the left and right air intake be easily removed to make changing the front extender somewhat easier? If so how is it removed?

dshelly · 03-26-2013, 04:14 PM

Most remove the tube by cutting it apart. So If you plan to keep it stock don't remove the tube. You can however just take off the airfilter and backing plate. That should give you enough room to get at it.

Puddlejumper · 03-26-2013, 07:06 PM

Thanks Dave, that is how I was able to check the front tensioner this morning. Took off the dog bowl, backing plate, and mounting bracket for backing plate, and was still tight just removing cap for checking. Cannot even see one of the allen bolt heads that hold the tensioner body to the cylinder. May have to work that one by feel.

**Rasta** · 03-26-2013, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puddlejumper

Thanks Dave, that is how I was able to check the front tensioner this morning. Took off the dog bowl, backing plate, and mounting bracket for backing plate, and was still tight just removing cap for checking. Cannot even see one of the allen bolt heads that hold the tensioner body to the cylinder. May have to work that one by feel.

When you are doing the front,take that back allen bolt out all the way first then do the one you can see. Once you actually break it loose the allen bolt comes out easy.

yoda · 03-26-2013, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puddlejumper

Thought it might have some miles left before changing, glad to hear it does. I will go ahead and order the extenders in the next few days, and plan to change them within the next month. I can see the front one will be a bear to do as my bike is still stock. Can the tube going between the left and right air intake be easily removed to make changing the front extender somewhat easier? If so how is it removed?

I left the tube in place on mine and didn't really have any problems accessing either extender.

Blueraven · 03-27-2013, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puddlejumper

Thought it might have some miles left before changing, glad to hear it does. I will go ahead and order the extenders in the next few days, and plan to change them within the next month. I can see the front one will be a bear to do as my bike is still stock. Can the tube going between the left and right air intake be easily removed to make changing the front extender somewhat easier? If so how is it removed?

I didn't remove mine. Was a little tougher but was able to do it successfully. Even did another Nomad with success.

chuckster131 · 03-28-2013, 05:15 AM

No sweat, you can keep riding..... Get intouch with me at your conveinence and I will get a set headed your way.

Puddlejumper · 03-28-2013, 10:03 AM

Thanks Joe, will be in touch in a couple weeks or so. Think I saw where someone replied need ball-end allen wrench for allen bolts. Does that type just make the job easier, or are they necessary to do the job. I already know the front cylinder will be somewhat tight, but think a standard allen wrench will get in there.???? Can take a dremel cutting wheel and shorten the short end a little if necessary.

happywanderer · 03-28-2013, 04:48 PM

Just did this myself with my '07 with 14k miles. Completely out of travel.

Easy procedure. Do as other recommend and make sure you are Top Dead Center /compression/ stroke for each cylinder. A helper comes in handy.

Puddlejumper · 04-18-2013, 10:54 PM

Received cam chain extenders on Monday, pulled the tensioner off the front cylinder tonight, and sure enough, completely out of travel, at just over 20K miles. Did place cylinder in compression stroke, as someone stated on here, need to be in compression stroke with valves closed. I know the top allen bolt is going to be a bear to get back in, but with the help of the Lord, will get it done. Now for a couple of questions. There is no way to get a torque wrench into those bolts on the front cylinder, so how did those of you who have done this torque those allen bolts? Did you use thread locker, and if so which color, blue or red? Did buy new gaskets and o-rings and will put new on when reassembly takes place, which hopefully will be tomorrow night, or Saturday afternoon.

redjay · 04-19-2013, 06:10 AM

I bought new gaskets and o rings and tightened the bolts by "feel". No need to reef on them. Blue loctite.

03-26-2013, 11:23 AM	#1
Puddlejumper Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Lenoir North Carolina Posts: 97	Cam Chain Extenders With Tim Acree's instructions in hand, I checked my cam chain tensioners this morning. Both front and rear are down inside the tensioner body 1/4 inch. Bike is a 2007 1600 nomad with just over 20,000 miles. Had been hearing what sounded like a rattle in the front. Was hoping it was not the tensioners, but I think now it is. I guess it is time to call Joe at Chucksters and get some extenders on the way. I will change them soon, but with 1/16 inch of travel left, can the bike be ridden a few more miles with no damage being done? Thanks, and keep the painted side up. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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03-26-2013, 12:02 PM	#2
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	You can ride it some more without damage. Just don't wait to long. Eat A Peach MT __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
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03-26-2013, 01:03 PM	#3
dshelly Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgrade, MT Posts: 2,824	Just measured an extra tensioner I have and when the rack is compleatly bottomed out it's .359 below the threaded part of the tensioner body. That gives you about another 2 clicks left. __________________ Dave "(dshelly)" Shellenberger 2014 Harley Ultra Classic 2007 1600 Nomad (Black) Shellenberger Machine Belgrade, MT Various Bagger Member (Harley Chapter) VBA # 2395
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03-26-2013, 02:25 PM	#4
davidhollinger Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Central Alabama Posts: 2,188	50,001 miles on my 2002. I dont hear a rattle or noise or notice any leaking. I am sure it is time for it to be done but I dont know when or WHO is going to do it. Not me this time. Might order them and take the instructions to the shop. __________________ I would be patient, but it takes too long!! David Hollinger 2002 Beige 1500 "Hannah2" VBA # 02195
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03-26-2013, 03:43 PM	#5
Puddlejumper Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Lenoir North Carolina Posts: 97	Thought it might have some miles left before changing, glad to hear it does. I will go ahead and order the extenders in the next few days, and plan to change them within the next month. I can see the front one will be a bear to do as my bike is still stock. Can the tube going between the left and right air intake be easily removed to make changing the front extender somewhat easier? If so how is it removed? Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

03-26-2013, 04:14 PM	#6
dshelly Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgrade, MT Posts: 2,824	Most remove the tube by cutting it apart. So If you plan to keep it stock don't remove the tube. You can however just take off the airfilter and backing plate. That should give you enough room to get at it. __________________ Dave "(dshelly)" Shellenberger 2014 Harley Ultra Classic 2007 1600 Nomad (Black) Shellenberger Machine Belgrade, MT Various Bagger Member (Harley Chapter) VBA # 2395
	0

03-26-2013, 07:06 PM	#7
Puddlejumper Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Lenoir North Carolina Posts: 97	Thanks Dave, that is how I was able to check the front tensioner this morning. Took off the dog bowl, backing plate, and mounting bracket for backing plate, and was still tight just removing cap for checking. Cannot even see one of the allen bolt heads that hold the tensioner body to the cylinder. May have to work that one by feel.
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03-28-2013, 05:15 AM	#11
chuckster131 Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Jackson, Michigan Posts: 1,367	No sweat, you can keep riding..... Get intouch with me at your conveinence and I will get a set headed your way. __________________ Joe (Chuckster) Norris Jackson, Michigan 2007 Goldwing 2010 Voyager (Blue/Silver)sold 2001 Nomad (gone, but not forgotten) www.chucksterscustoms.com
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03-28-2013, 10:03 AM	#12
Puddlejumper Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Lenoir North Carolina Posts: 97	Thanks Joe, will be in touch in a couple weeks or so. Think I saw where someone replied need ball-end allen wrench for allen bolts. Does that type just make the job easier, or are they necessary to do the job. I already know the front cylinder will be somewhat tight, but think a standard allen wrench will get in there.???? Can take a dremel cutting wheel and shorten the short end a little if necessary.
	0

03-28-2013, 04:48 PM	#13
happywanderer Jr. Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lorton Posts: 18	Just did this myself with my '07 with 14k miles. Completely out of travel. Easy procedure. Do as other recommend and make sure you are Top Dead Center /compression/ stroke for each cylinder. A helper comes in handy.
	0

04-18-2013, 10:54 PM	#14
Puddlejumper Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Lenoir North Carolina Posts: 97	Received cam chain extenders on Monday, pulled the tensioner off the front cylinder tonight, and sure enough, completely out of travel, at just over 20K miles. Did place cylinder in compression stroke, as someone stated on here, need to be in compression stroke with valves closed. I know the top allen bolt is going to be a bear to get back in, but with the help of the Lord, will get it done. Now for a couple of questions. There is no way to get a torque wrench into those bolts on the front cylinder, so how did those of you who have done this torque those allen bolts? Did you use thread locker, and if so which color, blue or red? Did buy new gaskets and o-rings and will put new on when reassembly takes place, which hopefully will be tomorrow night, or Saturday afternoon.
	0

04-19-2013, 06:10 AM	#15
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,930	I bought new gaskets and o rings and tightened the bolts by "feel". No need to reef on them. Blue loctite.
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