If your bike has a primary chain problem, you should get a new primary chain tensioner to make the system more effective. The HD brand introduced the first primary chain tensioner in 2006. In 2016, the Milwaukee 8 made the primary chain adjuster more complex. It was designed with infinite points of adjustment and requires a special wrench for installation. Its main benefit is that it works with stock hardware. However, you should first check the mounting hardware. You can use the stock nuts and bolts to attach the unit.
Manual chains may be noisy and must be checked annually. The best way to avoid this problem is to use a manual chain tensioner. It will save you time and money and let you spend it on other things, like beer or chicken wings! The Twin Power Tension Reliever Manual Primary Chin Adjuster can only be used with a 34 tooth sprocket. If your bike doesn’t come with a manual primary chain tensioner, you can choose to buy a new one, which is also compatible with other models.
The best way to choose a primary chain tensioner is to find out which type of bike is compatible with it. Some models are not compatible with different models of bikes. If you have a motorcycle that uses a different size, you can get a manual primary chain tensioner instead. It costs less and does the same job. And it is not difficult to install. In addition, it’s very easy to install.
Best Harley Primary Chain Tensioner – Top 5
Features of Selected Harley Primary Chain Tensioner
What Happens If the Primary Chain is Too Tight?
Tighten the primary chain by loosening the lock nut on the bottom of the primary case. Make sure the primary chain has at least 3/8 inch of wiggle in the cold state. If it is loose, it will cause the primary chain to surge and the primary case will be damaged. A tight primary chain can cause the bike to shift difficultly. In such a case, it is essential to adjust the tension of the primary chain.
Check the tension of the chain by moving it half an inch in either direction and measuring it with a measuring tape. If it does not move much, then it’s probably too tight. To ensure proper tension, refer to the owner’s manual. It will tell you how much chain slack should be present to prevent the chain from slipping. You can find this information by referring to your motorcycle owner’s manual.
Too-tight primary chains can lead to excessive wear. The chain can break while the bike is moving, causing the bike to jerk or stop suddenly. Motorcycle owners need to keep a primary chain with 5/8” to 7/8” of slack when the bike is cold. If it’s hot, it should be at least 3/8” loose. This slack helps the bike to keep the clutch basket in place.
How Tight Should the Primary Chain on a Harley Davidson Be?
To determine the correct tension of your Harley primary chain, start by listening to the left side of the motorcycle’s engine. If the primary chain makes a whining noise, it’s too tight. Too loose, and the primary chain will stretch and rattle the bike. A proper chain tension is 20 mm or half an inch, and if you find that your primary chain is too tight, you should adjust it.
For the Harley-Davidson Sportster, you should adjust the primary chain to its most-tight spot. Bob Dawson explains how to find this spot and why unhooking the negative cable is so crucial when servicing the primary. This video is a valuable resource for anyone looking to adjust the primary chain on their own. However, don’t forget to follow all safety precautions when servicing the primary.
The primary drive on your Harley Davidson motorcycle is a combination of gears and a chain. It transfers engine power to the input shaft. The shift lever changes gears. In some models, a compensator helps smooth out the pulses of the engine and prevents them from being transmitted through the drivetrain. Ensure that you adjust the primary chain tension according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Checking the primary chain tension is easy. You should loosen the axle nut by a couple of turns. If the chain is too loose, you can loosen the bolts by turning the adjuster nuts on the swingarm. Turn the adjuster nuts so that they touch the upper chain guard. Then, turn the engine off to let the motorcycle cool down. The bike chain should now hang in its sweet spot.
How Long Do Harley Cam Tensioners Last?
One of the most important parts of a Harley motorcycle engine is the cam chain tensioner. The cam chain runs through a gear and requires tension to keep it working correctly. Harley-Davidson cam tensioners are spring-loaded and are used to keep the cams in place. If they become worn, the shrapnel from the spring is sent through the motor, destroying the cams and the oil pump.
What Problems Did Harley Have at First with Cam Chain Tensioners?
The first problem with the Harley-Davidson 96-ci engine is that it can fail. Even though it is considered one of the most reliable motorcycle motors ever made, this model has had problems with cam chain tensioners. Thankfully, this issue can be easily remedied with a few simple steps.
What Year Did Harley Use Hydraulic Cam Chain Tensioners?
Did you know that your motorcycle’s hydraulic cam chain tensioners are different from their spring counterparts? In 2007, the new cam plate design replaced the spring tensioners. The hydraulic tensioners are made of a different material than the spring tensioners. The difference between the two models is the cost of the Bearing kit. If you notice an unusual noise coming from your engine, you should get it checked out. It’s important to know that a bad cam chain tensioner could be the cause of a rattling or scraping noise.
You should know that your 1999-2002 Harleys have Timken lower end bearings. Moreover, you should choose a high volume pump and plate. Tapered Timken bearings are bulletproof. For the earlier models, you’ll need a high-volume pump with under.005 run-out. You’ll have to remove the cam cover to check the front tensioner. Once you’ve checked the tensioner, you can upgrade to the hydraulic ones.
The hydraulic cam chain tensioners on Harley motorcycles have the same benefits as their spring-based counterparts, except that they run on engine oil. They are more reliable and last for many more miles than their spring-powered counterparts. And Harley’s over-engineering extends to their hypereutectic aluminum pistons. The latter feature is a type of aluminum alloy coated with Teflon. It can also be made lighter because of its silicon content.
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