Could it be a bad primary chain
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Anything obviously wrong with the old chain?
Got any idea why it was making the clacking noise?
Got any idea why it was making the clacking noise?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 168
Likes: 18
From: South Texas
No obvious signs of wear but it did have some really tight spots in it.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Mine has been kinda noisy but I couldn't find anything wrong with it and nothing is broken so I've been ignoring it.
Guess I'll throw a new chain at it and see what happens.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,447
Likes: 463
From: USA
I have seen primary chains with less than 20 k on them like you describe, tight then loose. Maybe to just find that sweet spot with the manual tensioner setting helps. The manual tensioner is many times just overlooked as a maintenance item.
Glad you found it. Would be a pain to get back into the engine after all that work.
Safe riding
Glad you found it. Would be a pain to get back into the engine after all that work.
Safe riding
Last edited by Taggs; Sep 2, 2016 at 09:26 AM.
My primary chain threw a link at 20k miles. I was surprised at how much smoother the replacement chain (I went with Diamond) runs.
I would have never thought to replace it if the link hadn't come out with the oil during a fluid change. I'm glad I did. The difference on mine was definitely noticeable.
I would have never thought to replace it if the link hadn't come out with the oil during a fluid change. I'm glad I did. The difference on mine was definitely noticeable.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 168
Likes: 18
From: South Texas
I was working on this with my friend at a local Indy shop with the owners guidance. He said it is uncommon for a well maintained chain to be toast at 40k, but not uncommon if it isnt adjusted at regular intervals. I have learned so much about my bike in the last couple of weeks its crazy. I will definitely not hesitate to check and make adjustments when necessary.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,494
From: Decatur, Alabama
the original post said the primary chain was adjusted to 1/2". That's a little snug for that bike. I believe the spec is much looser than that. About 3/4", I think. You might want to keep an eye on that new chain to see if it starts making the same noise in the future. I would also watch the primary chain adjusting shoe for abnormal wear.
carl
carl
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
the original post said the primary chain was adjusted to 1/2". That's a little snug for that bike. I believe the spec is much looser than that. About 3/4", I think. You might want to keep an eye on that new chain to see if it starts making the same noise in the future. I would also watch the primary chain adjusting shoe for abnormal wear.
carl
carl
Hot is 3/8ths" to 5/8ths".
Last edited by texashillcountry; Sep 4, 2016 at 04:36 PM.
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