Hayden M6 install
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 222
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From: Northeast Massachusetts
Hayden M6 install
Ive installed an M6 in this 06 low rider. Now the instructions from Hayden say in needs to be 3/8 from bottom of shoe to guide plate. I assume the bottom measurement is where I Marked a #1. At that location it is 5/16. The chain seems super tight. Can anyone who has installed one of these chime in?? Is there an acceptable range or what?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 4,384
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From: Texas
What you're shooting for is 1/2" to 7/8" slack in the chain (as measured in movement of the upper half of the chain)
I shoot for 1/2" slack
How far that equates in distance from the bottom of the shoe to the guide plate - who the hell knows - chains stretch / wear
Then loosen the shoe and adjust till you get ~ 1/2" or so - of play in the upper half chain
Use a tape / ruler to measure the play
Ghost
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 222
Likes: 1
From: Northeast Massachusetts
Throw this away
What you're shooting for is 1/2" to 7/8" slack in the chain (as measured in movement of the upper half of the chain)
I shoot for 1/2" slack
How far that equates in distance from the bottom of the shoe to the guide plate - who the hell knows - chains stretch / wear
Then loosen the shoe and adjust till you get ~ 1/2" or so - of play in the upper half chain
Use a tape / ruler to measure the play
Ghost
What you're shooting for is 1/2" to 7/8" slack in the chain (as measured in movement of the upper half of the chain)
I shoot for 1/2" slack
How far that equates in distance from the bottom of the shoe to the guide plate - who the hell knows - chains stretch / wear
Then loosen the shoe and adjust till you get ~ 1/2" or so - of play in the upper half chain
Use a tape / ruler to measure the play
Ghost
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 4,384
Likes: 8,742
From: Texas
Before installing - did you fully collapse it - put a zip tie around it..., to keep it from expanding..., install - then cut the zip tie
If not - that how it needs to be installed
You can remove it..., reset to fully collapsed..., zip tie.., then reinstall / set
3/16 slack is too tight - be noisy..., and wear prematurely
Ghost
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 222
Likes: 1
From: Northeast Massachusetts
This one an auto tensioner - got it
Before installing - did you fully collapse it - put a zip tie around it..., to keep it from expanding..., install - then cut the zip tie
If not - that how it needs to be installed
You can remove it..., reset to fully collapsed..., zip tie.., then reinstall / set
3/16 slack is too tight - be noisy..., and wear prematurely
Ghost
Before installing - did you fully collapse it - put a zip tie around it..., to keep it from expanding..., install - then cut the zip tie
If not - that how it needs to be installed
You can remove it..., reset to fully collapsed..., zip tie.., then reinstall / set
3/16 slack is too tight - be noisy..., and wear prematurely
Ghost
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 865
Likes: 67
From: Los Angeles,ca
I recently installed M6. Wasn't super tight, seems to be working fine. Noisy - but that's expected for ~500mi before chain sets in shoe.
I've read that previously spring was too long, and in new kits it was shortened. Maybe you got old tensioner?
I've read that previously spring was too long, and in new kits it was shortened. Maybe you got old tensioner?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Cranbourne, VIC Australia
they had a batch of springs that were a bit longer as well. I got the new shorter springs with my Hayden, and when I installed it, it was at about 5/16 as well. But I went with it, as new it was riding on the chain frame not the rollers, it let it wear in, and in a few hundred miles it was silent and had the requisite 3/8 measurement and was riding the rollers, with tiny d]grooves for the chain frame. After 30k it still looks identical...
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 222
Likes: 1
From: Northeast Massachusetts
they had a batch of springs that were a bit longer as well. I got the new shorter springs with my Hayden, and when I installed it, it was at about 5/16 as well. But I went with it, as new it was riding on the chain frame not the rollers, it let it wear in, and in a few hundred miles it was silent and had the requisite 3/8 measurement and was riding the rollers, with tiny d]grooves for the chain frame. After 30k it still looks identical...
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,787
Likes: 5,610
From: along the shore of Mishigami
I just got some shorter springs to replace the springs I got a few years back (2014). I took the unit out but will put it back in once the cold garage is warm enough to work in. The older springs are 1 1/4"and 1 5/8". The shorter springs are 1 1/8" and 1 3/8". Hope this helps.