twin cam primary chain adjustment

[lowperformance2]

I need some info in how to adjust my primary chain on my deuce

[128auto]

I always check the primary chain tension cold.
1. Jack up the bike.
2. Remove the primary inspection cover(4 screws).
3. Remove the spark plug wires.
4. Bump the engine until you find the tightest spot on the chain.
5. Check the freeplay according to the spec, I believe it is 1/2-5/8 of an inch(cold), not sure but the owner manual has it.
6. If it is too loose, break the 1/2in nut off and bring the chain guide a notch or 2 upward.
7. Tighten up the 1/2in nut and check the tension, you are done.
Be careful when you loosen the nut, the guide may drop, once it drops, it is a pain in the *** to pull it back up, use coat hanger to hold it in place.

[lowperformance2]

Originally Posted by 128auto

I always check the primary chain tension cold.
1. Jack up the bike.
2. Remove the primary inspection cover(4 screws).
3. Remove the spark plug wires.
4. Bump the engine until you find the tightest spot on the chain.
5. Check the freeplay according to the spec, I believe it is 1/2-5/8 of an inch(cold), not sure but the owner manual has it.
6. If it is too loose, break the 1/2in nut off and bring the chain guide a notch or 2 upward.
7. Tighten up the 1/2in nut and check the tension, you are done.
Be careful when you loosen the nut, the guide may drop, once it drops, it is a pain in the *** to pull it back up, use coat hanger to hold it in place.

lol thanks man i just dove in and we fiugered it out, and the thing did drop and it was a pain in the *** to get back up the only thing we did not do was remove the plug wire. and bump the motor how important is this step? i think we have the chain set just right? it did quiet down some, but will it ever be quiet free?? or will i always hear some noise? thanks for the post thogh..

i am getting ready to change the oil and tranny as well any tips or pics and info on that would be great.. thanks man.

[128auto]

It is not a real big deal to bump the engine, the reason to do that is to take up the slack at the tightest point of the drive gear. If the chain is too tight, you will hear a whining noise after it gets hot. How's the shifting now? It should shift much better after the adjustment. For primary chain lubricant, I use AMSOIL 20w50, gear box I use Redline Shockproof gear oil.

[lowperformance2]

i used formula + from harley it does shift better.,

[robzuc97]

Bike should be raised rear tire and in fourth gear after unhooking battery/maxi-fuse and spinning the tire by hand. The whole purpose is to find the tightest part of the chain and adjust there. Leaving the power on is a safety issue: next time try pulling out the starter gear with the ignition OFF. You'll be missing that hand. Service manual gives a detailed DIY.

[Dorkman]

Have not tried the following method on a Harley, but has anyone taken out the spark plugs, put it in forth gear, then rolled the bike until the tightest point in the primary chain can be determined? This eliminates jacking the bike. Rolling resistance from compression is gone with the plugs out.

[bigoscycles]

After you do it for the first time the next time will be easy. It's hard to roll the bike and check the chain too. Easier to jack it up and turn it.

[Dorkman]

Originally Posted by bigoscycles

After you do it for the first time the next time will be easy. It's hard to roll the bike and check the chain too. Easier to jack it up and turn it.

Could be. Roll the bike three feet, kickstand down, check primary chain, another three feet, etc.

[anubisss]

This reminds me of last Wednesday. Tensioner fell to the bottom of the primary. Loosened the nut a tad more and it slid back up pretty easily...