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[98fxstc]

I refer to a mention by Don (Deweysheads) of the Bakers chain tensioner in a recent thread .
I can see the merit in these and started doing a bit of research.
I came across the automatic adjusters produced by Southern Oregon Hot Bikes.
Has anybody had experience with the HB125 and the HB wedge , both automatic primary chain tensioners which don't have the problem that the OEM chain tensioner has.
They are about half the price of the Bakers and seem to be a 'set and forget'.

Hot Bikes do appear to have a problem with supply.
I havn't seen a mention of these for over 12 months.

[mjb765]

I was just about to post the same question..wondering which one to go with..The Hayden M6 or the hydraulic wedge from southern Oregon hotbikes. Did a search and the last thread was over a year ago. Anybody have any feedback on either of these. I'm tired of hearing the primary chain noise because it got too tight. Even the dealer says the chain is too tight, but "don't worry about it" Yeah..right.....guess I need to fix it myself.

[mjb765]

Nobody

[98fxstc]

Can we ring a bell?

[mjb765]

I read this about the SOHB tensioner..

http://www.hdforums.com/forum/touring-models/582650-repairing-my-sohb-primary-chain-tensioner.html

I am leaning towards the Hayden

http://www.haydensm6.com/m6_bt07.htm

[98fxstc]

I was leaning towards the HB125.
I didn't know anything about the wedge until I went to the SOHB site.
Their quality control is a bit of a worry.
I like the idea of the hydraulic damping aspect of the HB125.
I was going to find out a bit more about them before I tried to get one.
No mention of them on this site for 12 months.

[Twolanerider]

Know the HD branded primary chain tensioners have a bad reputation for overtightening.  Just wondering if anyone  else has experience similar to my own.  Saw this problem early in the part's history.  Perhaps even in to the "A" revision.  Haven't seen one do it with the more current versions of the part though.  Might still be doing it.  I've just not seen it happen.

[mjb765]

Know the HD branded primary chain tensioners have a bad reputation for overtightening.  Just wondering if anyone  else has experience similar to my own.  Saw this problem early in the part's history.  Perhaps even in to the "A" revision.  Haven't seen one do it with the more current versions of the part though.  Might still be doing it.  I've just not seen it happen.

Just listening on the left side of my bike it sounds like the chain is too tight. Even a dealer tech said it sounded too tight, but the only way to loosen it was to pull the tensioner and reset it. But he said it would probably happen again. I was going to pull the cover but I figured while I am in there I would replace the stock tensioner with one of the auto tensioning ones.

And FYI to 98fxstc....Every tensioner on the site is backordered..

http://sohotbikes.com/products.html

[grc]

I was leaning towards the HB125.
I didn't know anything about the wedge until I went to the SOHB site.
Their quality control is a bit of a worry.
I like the idea of the hydraulic damping aspect of the HB125.
I was going to find out a bit more about them before I tried to get one.
No mention of them on this site for 12 months.

Last I looked, the HB125 was only for the old style primary (prior to 2007) and would not fit the new style.  The wedge was supposed to be the version for the new style primaries, but like you guys I haven't seen much info on them in quite awhile.  Initial reports when they first came out indicated some pretty poor build quality.

The Hayden M6 BT07 seems to be very similar to the old M6 except for the mounting plate to match up with the new style primary.  Simple spring loaded shoe that's been working fine in Harleys since the late 80's; I've had one for about six years with no complaints. 


Jerry

[naitram]

i put the HB125 in last year. will be opening up the primary soon and will post pics of what it looks like about 13k miles later

[moscooter]

 
I've got the HB125 on my '09 SE Ultra,  and no problems.  I had a Hayden M6 on my old RK and no problems there either.   I like the idea of the hydraulic assist with the HB.   The ratchet teeth on the Harley stock tensioner keeps the damn chain too tight.  I've seen posts of problems with those and an H.D. lead tech has reservations about them too.

[Trapperdog]

I just had to replace the HB wedge in my '07.  The rod was bent and the unit was stuck in the "no tension" position"    Luckily Jim, hddude, noticed it as I was leaving on vacation the next day. Had to replace it with another HB wedge  as it was all he had in stock. The HB lasted about the same as the oem unit, about 35K miles. The oem unit overtightened and toasted my primary chain too.

[mjb765]

I just ordered the Hayden today.....should be in by the end of the week I hope.

[TexasBowhunter]

The HB 125 was one of the better designs and seemed to be the most trouble free...
The newer version put out by SOHB's had some flaws in the earlier ones and when one went bad it was usually replaced promply...
With all the failures in the earlier ones SOHB's reputation for building a Hydrolic Chain Tensioner was/has resulted in talk on the forums and have since been a negative subject...
SOHB has continued to produce the newer version and although the problems may have been resolved I'm afraid the damage has been done
The new hayden sounds like it may be a winner in the newer bikes as long as its not subject to extreme HP and Tq
 there is concern that the unit will fail with the higher HP and TQ motors
FFT
paul

[mjb765]

We wil find out Kathy....mine should be here by the end of the week.