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[longlast]

I put this thread under primary chain adjuster because I'm getting a lot of noise from the primary. The noise is at its loudest (sounds like scraping, as like shhhhhhhhhh) in First and second. When I'm going slow at a stop with the clutch in then when I put it in N it's​ quieter.
I've done a bit of research and it looks like it could be the auto tensioner, but not sure,.
In my research there seems to be discrepancy as to what tensioner to use.
The HD auto tensioner can over tighten the chain causing out off alignment and knock on problems.
I've also been looking at the other brands. Then there's the manual, but that means pulling the primary cover each time and a 50 + cost of a gasket.
I'm considering the M6 tensioner as it floats on a spring,...But again not sure.

From you more experienced boys that have had issue what do you think would be my best approach? I need to make a decision but don't know which one to make

[trippy]

Hi,
Good Question, ask 10 different people on here and pretty sure you will get 10 different answers,   I have in my loft both HD Auto versions, plus the Sohotbikes hydraulic auto version, but in the end have stayed with the M6 for the last 3 years now and it seems to work well.

Ensure when you install it to use a little thread locker on the bolts, had a bolt come lose a few years ago and it stripped the thread out of the inner primary case!

Also you may wish to go with the Baker high torque inner primary bearing, got mine off ebay.

Mark.

[grc]

I wouldn't just assume it's the chain adjuster, although it may be.  There are two other fairly common issues with the primaries that should also be checked out, the inner primary bearing and the infamous compensator.

As for the chain adjuster,the early versions of the Harley auto adjuster weren't very good, but we don't hear about many problems these days on the latest version.  So take all those older threads with a grain of salt.  The M6 by Hayden has had many good reviews over the years, including mine on the older bikes, but there have been some less flattering reviews in recent years about both the product and the customer service.  Try looking at just the more recent reviews, say the last couple years.  Things change, and a lot of once great brands aren't what they used to be.

JMHO - Jerry

[FlaHeatWave]

'Have witnessed some Big # / Big Mile Buds have issues with just about every Aftermarket Primary Chain Adjuster out there...

For me, The OE Auto Adjuster works fine ( the '09 has the "early version" ) for almost 60k miles so far... Never any issues / related issues... Always in Adjustment Specs when checked... Minimal Wear on the Shoe

My "Tricks"; Have the Engine / DriveTrain up to Operating Temp before employing any Engine Braking, or really "getting into" it,,, Rev-Match on Downshifts...
The Chain "shrinks" and does not "overadjust"...

It ain't broke,,, so I'm not going to $pend until it is...



 

[moscooter]

 

I'm confident that I'm not alone in wanting to understand the (logic) or lack of.........in the following statement.   

I might or might not agree........depending on what ya meant by......."The Chain "shrinks" and does not "overadjust"... "

[Rooster]

Might be as Jerry stated, comp assembly as same noise mine made years ago before changing the comp assembly. And X2 on the Baker Primary bearing been in there a long time now thanks to Jim (hddude). I also changed to Hayden unit and it works great for me. Some have had noise issues and changed back but mine has been fine since install.

[grc]

I'm confident that I'm not alone in wanting to understand the (logic) or lack of.........in the following statement.   

I might or might not agree........depending on what ya meant by......."The Chain "shrinks" and does not "overadjust"... "

The chain doesn't shrink, but as the engine and trans and all those other parts in the primary heat up and expand, the chain does get tighter because all that stuff expands more than the chain.  Go back to the old manual adjuster bike specs and compare the free play spec for hot versus cold.  The difference is about 1/4" less play hot. 

IF the auto adjuster removes all the slack when cold, since it doesn't back off (like any ratchet mechanism) then the chain could be too tight when hot.  That was one of the many issues with the original design, but my understanding is that it hasn't been a problem on the current design.  I guess the proof would be to check chain free play when cold to see if there is no play, or if there is at least 1/4" play.

Jerry

[FlaHeatWave]

I'm confident that I'm not alone in wanting to understand the (logic) or lack of.........in the following statement.   

I might or might not agree........depending on what ya meant by......."The Chain "shrinks" and does not "overadjust"... "

Logic?? who said anything about Logic???lol

The increase in temperature, heat, causes the distance between the Sprockets to increase / expand more than the Chain expands, thus increasing Tension on the Chain... So the Chain doesn't really "shrink" it just doesn't expand as much as the distance between the Sprockets increases...
 
When the Primary Components increase in temperature, some slack is naturally removed from the Chain, thereby not allowing the Auto Adjuster to adjust / tighten the Chain more than is required,,, "overadjust" and apply undue stress to the Primary Components...

Added; Yep, I wasted 10 mins repeating the same thing that Jerry already said...LMFAO

There is a Spring in the Auto Tensioner that allows Play / Deflection when the adjuster is not "overajusted" 

Didn't see in the '09 SM a setting when reinstalling??

Appears that Cold Play / Deflection is 1/4" or more...








   

[longlast]

Well I went for a 5 mile run this morning then l stripped the primary cover off and found that the chain was well tight at about 1/8"  free play  on a hard push. I removed the tensioner and backed it off then reinstalled it. The tensioner had minimal wear.
I run the motor prior to removing the tensioner and the chain didn't have any flexibility as it was running.
Once l reinstalled it and did a second run the chain had some flexibility. I had about 3/8"  free play and it seamed quieter. I'll be putting it back together tomorrow and then go for a run and see if there's any improvement.
Here's​some pics​ of rough chain free play and measurements,  and the minimal wear on the tensioner.

                                          Hot free play

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Hot free play

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Tensioner before removing

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After reinstallment note the gap on before and after on the back of the slide ratchet block

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The free play rough measurement after adjustment

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About 3/8"  play cold

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And the wear on the tensioner. Sorry for the sideways pic don't know why.
So I'll find out tomorrow if it's a deeper issue.