Topic: primary auto tensioner (Read 7847 times)

naitram · « **on:** January 04, 2011, 11:11:45 AM »

considering adding an auto tensioner to my SERK i know there are a few options out there looking for the pros and cons of each

harley

hayden M6

others?

erniezap · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2011, 11:49:17 AM »

Neal, talk to Jim. I have them in both bikes and have never had any problems, I'm just not sure which one is installed (they aren't HD).

bigjohn · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2011, 12:09:51 PM »

Just becareful that the tensioner dosent keep the chain to tight. Creates a lot of unnecessary wear on the components. I am curious why you would want to replace the stock one. There are a couple of little tricks you can use to adjust the auto tensioner on the fly if you think you are have chain noise from the primary.

Accelerate from a stop in first gear rather hard to about 30 MPH and then brake rather hard using only the rear brake without locking up the wheel and don't pull in the clutch until the bike slows enough.
Do this 2-3 times in succession and you'll notice that the noise that you thought was the valve train is almost completely gone now. Low speed riding is a bit smoother also due to less play in the chain.

By doing this, the automatic primary chain will ratchet up a bit tighter if it was loose before this. The acceleration and braking causes slack in the lower strand of the chain and will ratchet it up tighter if it needed an adjustment.

If it wasn't loose there will be no noted difference.
That is most likely the noise that was heard and not the valve train at all.

naitram · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2011, 12:20:44 PM »

dont currently have an auto tensioner. h-d didnt have them in 2002

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2011, 01:44:34 PM »

Neal...I had the HD version in my '06 and it always worked well, other than the time the dealership messed it up when they serviced my bike and I had to fix their screwup. Otherwise, never had a minutes trouble out of the HD version. I do know there are a couple of other versions out there too...I think Don has one of them on his red bike.

Twolanerider · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2011, 01:58:25 PM »

Quote from: Midnight Rider on January 04, 2011, 01:44:34 PM

Neal...I had the HD version in my '06 and it always worked well, other than the time the dealership messed it up when they serviced my bike and I had to fix their screwup. Otherwise, never had a minutes trouble out of the HD version. I do know there are a couple of other versions out there too...I think Don has one of them on his red bike.

Hey Terry, how you doing? Hope you and Diva had a great New Year. So good to see you sticking your head back in!

Have the HD version in the red bike and the SERG. Made neutral easier to find in both bikes. Its' been in each bike so long don't remember much else different though.

SBB · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2011, 02:13:58 PM »

Quote from: Twolanerider on January 04, 2011, 01:58:25 PM

Hey Terry, how you doing? Hope you and Diva had a great New Year. So good to see you sticking your head back in!

Have the HD version in the red bike and the SERG. Made neutral easier to find in both bikes. Its' been in each bike so long don't remember much else different though.

Same here!
For me it changes the primary fluid change from 5K to 10K.
It's worth it for just that.

SBB

Twolanerider · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2011, 02:18:39 PM »

Quote from: SBB on January 04, 2011, 02:13:58 PM

Same here!
For me it changes the primary fluid change from 5K to 10K.
It's worth it for just that.

SBB

10K? Really? Would never have guessed your clutches lasted that long

?

SBB · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2011, 02:28:56 PM »

Quote from: Twolanerider on January 04, 2011, 02:18:39 PM

10K? Really? Would never have guessed your clutches lasted that long ?

Hey Terry, good to see you on.
How are you and Diva?
And to get back on subject, Don, they don't but I reuse the same fluid.

SBB

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2011, 02:31:02 PM »

Thanks TL and SBB....just been lurking around a bit to see what's happening with the newer bikes, etc. Hope you guys are doing well...some changes here, but it all works out for the best.

Won't be getting a new CVO anytime soon (if ever), but some other version of a HD may be in the future, depending.

AXIL · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2011, 04:57:55 PM »

neal, stay with what you have. you don't have to adjust it but once in a blue moon and you will not over tighten it. the auto adjust
clicks tighter when cold and when it gets warm its to tight. just my two cents. axil

hogasm · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2011, 05:27:32 PM »

Don't like them Neil, like Axil said above they tighten up when cold and when hot they are too tight. I wore out a new chain in the blue bike in less than 25K with one.

faceracer · « **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2011, 05:51:38 PM »

I ran the Hayden M6 in my 85 FXR since they came out in 1990! I only had one problem! It worked so good I neglected to check it for over 30k miles and while in the primary for a oil leak I found the spring had broken. Hayden laughed when I told them how many miles I had ridin without looking at it. They gave me a new spring free and told me I should inspect it at least every 25k. I have sung the praises of this to everyone I met for years and people don't get it! Now Harley has one and the light bulb finally came on for all those people! Smooth shifting and you can idle down almost to a stop in first with out doing the choo choo train! I also ran the M6 in my 01 FXDL with no problems.

Face

hd-dude · « **Reply #13 on:** January 05, 2011, 12:01:07 AM »

I recommend the HB125. It cannot over tighten the chain as it does not ratchet up. You set the preload when you install it. It is a hydraulic unit.

.http://sohotbikes.com/products.html

bigjohn · « **Reply #14 on:** January 05, 2011, 07:51:06 AM »

Quote from: hd-dude on January 05, 2011, 12:01:07 AM

I recommend the HB125. It cannot over tighten the chain as it does not ratchet up. You set the preload when you install it. It is a hydraulic unit.

.http://sohotbikes.com/products.html

Thats a nice unit, looks like its time for another upgrade. I like the fact you can set the preload and the price is very reasonable.

naitram · « **Reply #15 on:** January 05, 2011, 08:57:50 AM »

Quote from: hd-dude on January 05, 2011, 12:01:07 AM

I recommend the HB125. It cannot over tighten the chain as it does not ratchet up. You set the preload when you install it. It is a hydraulic unit.

.http://sohotbikes.com/products.html

how difficult is it to install and set preload?

naitram · « **Reply #16 on:** January 05, 2011, 09:04:36 AM »

this makes a compelling argument....

stock ( i'm guessing intentionaly not adjusted correctly )

hb unit

SBB · « **Reply #17 on:** January 05, 2011, 09:36:27 AM »

Quote from: naitram on January 05, 2011, 09:04:36 AM

this makes a compelling argument....

stock ( i'm guessing intentionaly not adjusted correctly )
hb unit

SBB

grc · « **Reply #18 on:** January 05, 2011, 04:53:29 PM »

Quote from: hogasm on January 04, 2011, 05:27:32 PM

Don't like them Neil, like Axil said above they tighten up when cold and when hot they are too tight. I wore out a new chain in the blue bike in less than 25K with one.

That's why I don't use the ratchet type from H-D. Much better to go with the spring loaded Hayden M6 or the hydraulic version that I can't remember the name of at the moment.

Jerry

bigjohn · « **Reply #19 on:** January 05, 2011, 06:03:15 PM »

Quote from: hd-dude on January 05, 2011, 12:01:07 AM

I recommend the HB125. It cannot over tighten the chain as it does not ratchet up. You set the preload when you install it. It is a hydraulic unit.

.http://sohotbikes.com/products.html

I went with the wedge two, let you know how this installs and works out.
http://sohotbikes.com/wedge.html

Hope this patent pending thing works out, have you had any trouble?

faceracer · « **Reply #20 on:** January 06, 2011, 09:41:47 AM »

Well you guys sold me!

I have wanted to replace the stock ratchit will something better since
I first heard about them making your chain way too tight!

I just ordered one! http://sohotbikes.com

I will post some feedback once I install it.

Face

skreminegul07 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 06, 2011, 06:41:16 PM »

Quote from: naitram on January 05, 2011, 08:57:50 AM

how difficult is it to install and set preload?

Neal, very easy. I've done a few of the HD variety. It requires removal of the outer primary cover. Fluid and a primary gasket is it.

hogasm · « **Reply #22 on:** January 07, 2011, 07:20:15 AM »

Quote from: grc on January 05, 2011, 04:53:29 PM

That's why I don't use the ratchet type from H-D. Much better to go with the spring loaded Hayden M6 or the hydraulic version that I can't remember the name of at the moment.

Jerry

Jerry I had the M6...it had been so long ago. It was on a Baker DD6 set up with the 27 tooth comp sprocket. Called Baker and they did not recommend a auto tensioner, but no reason given at that time. Installed their larger shoe. Just seemed at the time that this happened to me, all the builders I talked to did not recommend a auto tensioner to a built engine. They all had the same reason.....when you let off the throttle with a more powerful engine, the chain slacks and the tensioner takes up that slack which could make the chain too tight.

Looks like the 125 where you can set the preload...is the way to go

grc · « **Reply #23 on:** January 07, 2011, 08:37:10 AM »

Quote from: hogasm on January 07, 2011, 07:20:15 AM

Jerry I had the M6...it had been so long ago. It was on a Baker DD6 set up with the 27 tooth comp sprocket. Called Baker and they did not recommend a auto tensioner, but no reason given at that time. Installed their larger shoe. Just seemed at the time that this happened to me, all the builders I talked to did not recommend a auto tensioner to a built engine. They all had the same reason.....when you let off the throttle with a more powerful engine, the chain slacks and the tensioner takes up that slack which could make the chain too tight.

Looks like the 125 where you can set the preload...is the way to go

I'm not certain what they meant by the comments about decel chain slack, since the Hayden or HB125 are free to move and maintain a more constant tension. Their comments make a lot of sense with the ratchet type from Harley, however.

The preload is adjustable with the Hayden as well, using the supplied shims under the spring. The only reason I stuck with the Hayden instead of the hydraulic version was my concern about the "crud" from the clutch possibly affecting the hydraulics. It works like a valve lifter, so I assumed all that grit and crud in the primary fluid could easily plug something. I haven't heard anyone complain about that in the real world, but in my mind it was a concern.

Jerry

porthole · « **Reply #24 on:** January 12, 2011, 11:53:01 AM »

Quote from: grc on January 05, 2011, 04:53:29 PM

That's why I don't use the ratchet type from H-D. Much better to go with the spring loaded Hayden M6 or the hydraulic version that I can't remember the name of at the moment.

Jerry

Does Harley make more then one?
Mine may be adjusted with a ratchet but it does move up and down as it loads - unloads.

Neal - I had the HD unit my mike, no perceived problems for 25K miles. Although I did take it out last year to see if that would change some shifting issues I had. And it didn't.

faceracer · « **Reply #25 on:** January 14, 2011, 03:51:43 PM »

Quote from: faceracer on January 06, 2011, 09:41:47 AM

Well you guys sold me! I have wanted to replace the stock ratchit will something better since
I first heard about them making your chain way too tight!

I just ordered one! http://sohotbikes.com

I will post some feedback once I install it.

Face

UPDATE southern Oregon hotbikes Just refunded my money and sent a note the part is out of stock for 60 days and to check back. I am glad they refunded my money instead of holding on to it for 2 months! I guess I will see if they have them in mid March......

Author Topic: primary auto tensioner (Read 7847 times)

hogasm

hogasm