Tappets & Lifters
About Tappets & Lifters
Tappets, also called lifters, ride on the camshaft lobes and push the pushrods up and down. They wear along with the cam, and a collapsed or sticking hydraulic tappet can be the source of a tick in a V-twin. Riders replace them with a camshaft, during a rebuild, or when the noise appears.
The first choice is hydraulic or solid. Hydraulic tappets use engine oil to take up clearance on their own, and solid lifters, such as the Race Series solid lifters listed here, need their clearance set by hand and suit performance builds. The listings also show roller tappets, which have a wheel on the end that rolls on the cam lobe. Sizes matter, such as standard outside diameter, large axle or oversize, like +.005. Oversize tappets suit a bore that has worn or been machined, so measure the bore first. Match the engine family and year: Evolution, Twin Cam, M8, XL and Buell are all listed.
Brands in this category include Jims, S&S Cycle, Hot Cams, Feuling Parts and Eastern Motorcycle Parts. Lifters work with Camshafts and Push Rods. The whole group is Valvetrain Components.
FAQs on tappets and lifters
What is the difference between hydraulic and solid lifters?
A hydraulic lifter uses oil pressure to take up the gap in the valve train automatically. A solid lifter does not, so its clearance is set by hand and rechecked over time. Hydraulic lifters are quieter.
Why do hydraulic tappets tick?
A tick can come from low oil level or pressure, air or varnish in a lifter, or a worn part. Check the oil first. If the noise stays, inspect the lifters, because other parts can make the same sound.
Do I need new tappets with a new camshaft?
Most cam makers say yes. Lifters wear to the lobe they ran on, so a new cam on old lifters can wear quickly and fail early. Follow the instructions that come with your cam.
How do I know which size tappet to order?
Match the engine family and year, and look at the size notes in the listing, such as standard, large axle or oversize. If you are unsure whether you need oversize, have the lifter bore measured by a machinist or at a shop.
