Timing Components & Kits
About Timing Components & Kits
Timing components keep the camshaft turning in step with the crankshaft so the valves open and close at the right moment. Chains, belts, tensioners and sprockets wear with use, and a stretched chain or weak tensioner is a common reason for a rattle from the top of an older engine.
Not every engine times its cams the same way. Many use a chain, a few use a toothed belt, as the Honda Gold Wing and Ducati listings show, and Harley-Davidson Twin Cam engines can be fitted with gear-drive cams. Cam chains are sized by pitch and link count, so match your old chain or use the model listing. Replace the chain, tensioner and sprockets together when they are worn, because a new chain on a worn sprocket wears quickly.
The four sub-categories divide the work. Timing Belts & Chains covers the part that links the crank and cam, Tensioners & Pulleys keeps it tight, Sprockets are the toothed wheels it runs on, and Timing Kits bundle parts for a timing job.
Brands in this category include Andrews, Drag Specialties, Parts Unlimited, PSR and S&S Cycle. Pick your machine in the Ride Finder at the top of the page. The wider group is Engines & Engine Parts.
FAQs on engine timing parts
What are the signs of a stretched cam chain?
A rattle or tick from the top of the engine, especially at start-up or idle, can point to a stretched chain or a weak tensioner. Check the chain and guides as the service manual describes before ordering.
Should I replace the tensioner when I replace the cam chain?
Generally yes. A worn tensioner shortens the life of a new chain, and a worn chain stresses the tensioner. Many riders replace the chain, tensioner and sprockets together while the engine is open; check your manual for your model.
How do I choose the right length of cam chain?
Match the pitch and the number of links of your original chain, shown in listings as a count such as 124 links, or buy the chain listed for your model and year. A wrong link count cannot be timed correctly.
What happens if the cam timing is off by one tooth?
The valves open at the wrong time, so the engine runs poorly and loses power. On some engines the valves can hit the pistons and cause serious damage, so line up the timing marks exactly as the manual shows.
Is a timing belt the same as a cam chain?
No. A belt is toothed rubber, a chain is metal links, and they have different service needs. Belt-driven engines have replacement intervals in the manual, and a belt should be kept clean and free from oil.
