Best primary chain tensioner option
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HDF Community Team
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From: New Hampsha
Best primary chain tensioner option
If this has been covered in one place, please just post a link and close the thread, otherwise, maybe we can put all the constructive information in one place here.
So, this winter's "big project" is to improve the primary chain tensioner on my 2007.
My first "choice" was the V-twin Manufacturing product, which appears to be the Screaming Eagle part for about half price. What could be better than a factory approved part for half price? But, then, I found a lot of reviews that said it was very noisy.
There have been a lot of recommendations for the Hayden Enterprises version. More expensive, but fewer negative reviews.
Then, I stumbled on the Southern Oregon Hot Bikes Hydraulic tensioner. Sounds like a Hayden with a hydraulic damper, or, does the Hayden have the hydraulic aspect as well?
I know there's more choices, but when I got to three options I decided I'd let you all help focus my search before I ended up with 8 or 10 to chose from...
TIA
So, this winter's "big project" is to improve the primary chain tensioner on my 2007.
My first "choice" was the V-twin Manufacturing product, which appears to be the Screaming Eagle part for about half price. What could be better than a factory approved part for half price? But, then, I found a lot of reviews that said it was very noisy.
There have been a lot of recommendations for the Hayden Enterprises version. More expensive, but fewer negative reviews.
Then, I stumbled on the Southern Oregon Hot Bikes Hydraulic tensioner. Sounds like a Hayden with a hydraulic damper, or, does the Hayden have the hydraulic aspect as well?
I know there's more choices, but when I got to three options I decided I'd let you all help focus my search before I ended up with 8 or 10 to chose from...
TIA
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,124
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From: From Long Island, now in So. Cal
Modified Primary Chain Tensioner
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/showt...eferrerid=9012
2006 Inner Primary Bearing #3 and Transmission Main Drive Gear Bearing Removal Photos
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/showt...eferrerid=9012
.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/showt...eferrerid=9012
2006 Inner Primary Bearing #3 and Transmission Main Drive Gear Bearing Removal Photos
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/showt...eferrerid=9012
.
When I researched primary chain tensioners a few years back, the Baker Attitude Adjuster seemed to be universally loved, so that's what I went with. I've been running it for maybe 4-5 years now with no issues. Looking at the website, they've beefed it up since I bought mine. Its ridiculously simple, but unfortunately not priced accordingly.
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HDF Community Team
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From: New Hampsha
Yeah, the Baker looks to be the most expensive, by far. Does it require removing the compensator to install? Also, I have mid controls and it looks like it might interfere with the shift shaft, although I'd be surprised if they wouldn't mention that.
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HDF Community Team
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From: New Hampsha
WS6: I thought the inner primary bearing issue didn't extend to the 2007 Dynas. Is that not true? Also, while the tensioner you used is a masterpiece of safety wiring (are you an aircraft mechanic?) I really don't want to go that route if I don't have to.
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From: North Carolina
I put a V-Twin Power tensioner on my 06 FXDI-35. No issues in three years of running it. Noise is noticable, but I think it was only so because I was primed to hear more noise after reading all the reviews.
If you are on a budget, its better than the stock tensioner. If you have money to spend, you cant beat the reputation & proven reliability of a Baker.
If you are on a budget, its better than the stock tensioner. If you have money to spend, you cant beat the reputation & proven reliability of a Baker.
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From: South Carolina
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If this has been covered in one place, please just post a link and close the thread, otherwise, maybe we can put all the constructive information in one place here.
So, this winter's "big project" is to improve the primary chain tensioner on my 2007.
My first "choice" was the V-twin Manufacturing product, which appears to be the Screaming Eagle part for about half price. What could be better than a factory approved part for half price? But, then, I found a lot of reviews that said it was very noisy.
There have been a lot of recommendations for the Hayden Enterprises version. More expensive, but fewer negative reviews.
Then, I stumbled on the Southern Oregon Hot Bikes Hydraulic tensioner. Sounds like a Hayden with a hydraulic damper, or, does the Hayden have the hydraulic aspect as well?
I know there's more choices, but when I got to three options I decided I'd let you all help focus my search before I ended up with 8 or 10 to chose from...
TIA
So, this winter's "big project" is to improve the primary chain tensioner on my 2007.
My first "choice" was the V-twin Manufacturing product, which appears to be the Screaming Eagle part for about half price. What could be better than a factory approved part for half price? But, then, I found a lot of reviews that said it was very noisy.
There have been a lot of recommendations for the Hayden Enterprises version. More expensive, but fewer negative reviews.
Then, I stumbled on the Southern Oregon Hot Bikes Hydraulic tensioner. Sounds like a Hayden with a hydraulic damper, or, does the Hayden have the hydraulic aspect as well?
I know there's more choices, but when I got to three options I decided I'd let you all help focus my search before I ended up with 8 or 10 to chose from...
TIA
Thread Starter
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 1,233
From: New Hampsha
It's constructed a lot like a hydraulic lifter. There's even a check ball in the bottom of the housing. The chamber where the spring is fills up with oil and dampens the movement.
That said, I'm wondering if some of the others (e.g.Haden) don't do the same thing, sort of by accident. I haven't really studied the design, but I can envision how it might happen.
That said, I'm wondering if some of the others (e.g.Haden) don't do the same thing, sort of by accident. I haven't really studied the design, but I can envision how it might happen.
Last edited by John CC; Feb 19, 2021 at 09:44 AM.