07 Road King, no primary check plate, but when I have had pass on the last two times I had a "chain skip" sound on the lower left side of the engine. Sounded like a primary chain but I have no check plate... Am i equipped with a auto tensioneer? and do they go bad - had since new and have 37500 miles on now. All earlier checks by shop found nothing - beren doing my own fluid changes for last two years..

 

Yes you have auto tensioner. unlikely that it is worn if you keep up those oil changes, mine has 52k miles (on a dyna) and the shoe has chain marks but nowhere near replacement wear. If it sounds like a clang coming from the front of the primary and you hear it at idle if you blip the throttle sometimes you need to check your compensating sprocket stock part is about 140$ and the SE part is 250$ minus labor.

 

I went with the se compensator when mine went bad, if that turns out to be the problem. Worth the extra imo

 

how many miles?

 

I have 37580 for miles on it.. Not real hard ones but I occaisionally "hit it" ..seems to run just fine when i'm alone or not 'getting on it"...

 

Could very well be you only have to open it up take it apart, clean it and torque it back up again. They have been known to come loose once in a while, even from the factory, no surprise there!