TC-88 Cam Chain Tensioners
I was particularly interested in the tensioners because I have more than twice as many miles on my ride as a bro does and his tensioners grenaded recently. Back when the ride hit 20,000 (circa early 2000) I put in the SE203's. At that time on many forums the subject of wear and tear on the tensioners was all over the net (pretty amazing if you consider that the chains came out in 1999 - the year of my bike by the way). Someone, damned if I can remember who, suggested polishing the cam chain surface that rides on the tensioner. So I stole his idea and did just that. After all what could it hurt right?
But, me being me and having CRS real bad, I managed to polish only the outer chain. Unfortunately I got lazy and when I thought of doing it I had already assembled the inner chain and it's workings. Yea Yea I know, a good tech would have disassembled and polished both chains - I never claimed to be good. I didn't have the three different grits of jewlers rouge and set up that was recommended and wasn't going to buy it, so all I did was put a drill with a buffing wheel in a vise, put some automotive rubbing compound on the wheel and locked the trigger and held the chain over the wheel. Not a real good practice I can tell you, can't remember how many times my wrists got jerked as the wheel spun the chain off.
At that time synthetic oil was just becomming real popular in HD's and the threads were full of recommendations and scare tactics from HD and others (think bearing skate etc. etc.). A good on-line tech I admire recommended Red Line oils and I did my own research and decided to go with Red Line exclusively. So for 130K I've been using Red Line in all three holes.
130,000 miles later I am pulling the cams and here are the pics, labeled appropriatly - draw your own conlusions.
