Cam bearings

[13StreetBob]

I am going to be changing my cams in a month or so to S&S 551CE but I wanted to hear thoughts on changing the cam bearings. I have 500 miles on the bike and do you think I could get away with not replacing the bearings since the mileage is so low or is it a wear to fit issue and cause premature failure of the bearings. My issue is forking out the cash for the tool set to perform this myself and using it once and spend the rest of its life collecting dust or having the dealer do it for an arm and a leg. If there will not be a issue changing the bearings I would like to do it that way.

[Dave63]

Replace them. You're not replacing them due to age, you're replacing them due to their design. You have INA bearings currently, which lack every other needle bearing. You want Torrington bearings, which are almost solid needles, all the way around.

Higher lift cams= more downforce at the bearings and the need for a better bearing.

You can buy the tools off ebay (Remover and installers) for less than $150. The same guy also rents them, for a minimal fee.

[13StreetBob]

Okay thanks for the response. I will definitely look into those tools. Don't want to pay dealer labor costs.


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