PRIMARY OIL AND CHAIN ADJUSTMENT
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From:
PRIMARY OIL AND CHAIN ADJUSTMENT
Leaving on 3000 km trip from Calgary on Saturday. Stopped at stealer yesterday just to get a few things looked at so I felt ok with the trip. When I was there mech opened up primary inspection on 05 ultra. 4000 km on her and says primary was chain was set to tight, yet they did service 1 month ago..HMMM. Anyways he made chain looser and took some oil out.HMMMM
Question..If ya put your hand into inspection cover and push up on the chain up top, how much play should be there..Also if bike level and ya are looking at the plastic piece the chain runs along on the bottom..where should the oil level be in respect to the top or bottom of the white plastic chain guide unit..At this time the chain has say a bit over 1/2 inch play from where it is to where ya can push it up to without much force..And the lube is sitting just a bit over the bottom of the chain guide..So most of the guide is out of the oil.???
Question..If ya put your hand into inspection cover and push up on the chain up top, how much play should be there..Also if bike level and ya are looking at the plastic piece the chain runs along on the bottom..where should the oil level be in respect to the top or bottom of the white plastic chain guide unit..At this time the chain has say a bit over 1/2 inch play from where it is to where ya can push it up to without much force..And the lube is sitting just a bit over the bottom of the chain guide..So most of the guide is out of the oil.???
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,513
Likes: 4
From: Midland, TX
RE: PRIMARY OIL AND CHAIN ADJUSTMENT
I don't know the specs on your ultra but on my Softail, the chain is to have 3/8" - 5/8" play hot and 5/8" - 7/8" play cold. I made the tool suggested by Bill and that's what I use to measure the play. The oil level should be at or just below the bottom of the plastic runner.
Banned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 14,496
Likes: 156
From:
RE: PRIMARY OIL AND CHAIN ADJUSTMENT
The chain sounds ok, the oil should be up to the bottom of the clutch pack when viewed through the derby (big) cover on the primary cover. Over fill it and you will have a difficult time shifting, and trouble finding neutral. There are also specs that you can use in the owners manual for the correct ounces to refill after a drain.
Novice
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
RE: PRIMARY OIL AND CHAIN ADJUSTMENT
Hello, I have a 2005 Ultra and do all service myself. At 500 miles the primary chain was not adjusted. Checked, but no adjustment. At 1000 miles I did adjust it and noted that I had to tighten the foot. At 2000 miles again I checked the primary and again required tightening. Now I noticed Harley is offering a new chain tensioner in the 06 Parts Book. Well I ordered it along with the huge metal gasket and Primary oil. It took me 90 minutes from running to running to install it. Including extra cleaning of old oil residue. After the final check and me cutting the ty-wrap to release the shoe to adjust itself and torquing the bolts, I noticed that the chain was now somewhat snug. Moving the primary chain prior to releasing the foot resulted in the recommended 1 inch travel of the chain. After the ty-wrap was cut and the adjuster allowed to set itself, there was little movement in the primary chain. The shoe did move somewhat as per the instructions. Well what does this tell me??? Harley doesnt mind the chain to be snug as long as it can compensate for cold and warm operation. My bike feels much tighter and I feel I have taken a service point away from further adjustment. I,m very happy with this! Anyone can do this with minimum fuss or experience. Peter
Stage II
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
RE: PRIMARY OIL AND CHAIN ADJUSTMENT
ORIGINAL: oldgeezer
I made the tool suggested by Bill and that's what I use to measure the play.
I made the tool suggested by Bill and that's what I use to measure the play.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
RE: PRIMARY OIL AND CHAIN ADJUSTMENT
ORIGINAL: budzilla_gorilla
What's this tool that you speak of? I've seen the ones that they sell but I'd rather make one if I can. Look forwatd to your reply.
ORIGINAL: oldgeezer
I made the tool suggested by Bill and that's what I use to measure the play.
I made the tool suggested by Bill and that's what I use to measure the play.
Trending Topics
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 635
Likes: 0
From: In Wisconsin somewhere south of Wausau.
RE: PRIMARY OIL AND CHAIN ADJUSTMENT
I got tired of always checking my primary chain so I went to J&P's catalogand ordered the hydraulic chain tensioner they sell.
Once installed it takes the place of the stock Harley manual tensioner.It took about a hour to install, and when I fired the bike up, the hydraulic tensioner fill up with oil and now keeps my primary chain at the correct tension all the time. Best $100 I ever spent...
Once installed it takes the place of the stock Harley manual tensioner.It took about a hour to install, and when I fired the bike up, the hydraulic tensioner fill up with oil and now keeps my primary chain at the correct tension all the time. Best $100 I ever spent...
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
RE: PRIMARY OIL AND CHAIN ADJUSTMENT
I kinda did what 99 did except I used a 3/8 rachet and deep socket to get under/inbetween chain.Used a 6"scale held by the one of the screws on the cover for the measurent.
The chain will have a lot of play when adjusted to spec.
The chain will have a lot of play when adjusted to spec.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
adjust, adjuster, adjustment, chain, cover, davidson, harley, inspection, installation, level, oil, photo, primary, primay, tension
