So I was eating a pepperoni hot pocket (God I could live on those) when it hit me- Although I rarely do it, does engine braking shorten the life of the primary chain tensioner?

 

I wouldn't think so. It does shorten the life of your rear tire though. Err....It shortened the life of my rear tire.

 

By the way, thanks for your help with info on the Springer Drags from Wild1. I put mine on last week. Awesome fit and feel.

 

I'll tell you what a wise mechanic friend of mine told me: "It's cheaper to replace brake pads than a transmission". The same applies here.

 

bensonjv,
Man I am so sorry, I said I would take some pics for you and I didn't get to it. I am glad they worked out for you, I love mine. Windvest makes mounts for drags, if you ever go with a windshield.

As for the tensioner, I was looking in my manual, and thinking, the high tension on the top side of the primary during accel and cruising, would shift to the bottom during engine braking, and the tensioner is glorified plastic.

 

Hell I downshift all the time...


Bone

 

Never thought of it that way...

 

I downshift all the time, this way if something happens and I need the power it is there. I would rather replace my trans over time then my a$$.

 

It applys a reverse load on the chain trying to make the bottom straight and as a result adds more pressure to the shoe. Won't stop downshifting because of this as it has a long life anyway. Just part of riding. To answer your question, yes it will reduce it's life.
Ron