I have a 1991 FXSTC with about 48,000 miles on it with the original primary chain and starter. The starter is having trouble turning over the engine (my battery is good) so I'm looking at putting in a new starter. 27 years on the original seems good to me. I got the bike with 17,000 on it and have changed fluids regularly. My primary chain is properly tensioned and looks fine but I'm curious what sort of lifespan is typical. Thank you in advance for your thoughts.
rol427

 

IMO I think your fine. If it shows it still tensions correctly and doesn't make any unusual noise it should be good to go.

 

Starter proly just needs contact brushes, cheap fix. pull the end cap off and you can see if they are badly warn. Cheap after market china junk starters can be a waste of $$$$.

 

the starter, if it ain't broke, don't fix it and i've never heard of a primary chain wearing out. mine is over 100,000 miles on it.

 

I've worn out one but that was because my Hayden M6 failed.

 

 

Make sure someone does not sell you a Chinese chain! (or you will get to do it again real soon)

 

Not quite the same thing, but when I installed my S&S 107" engine in my 1990 Glide the compensator teeth had sharp tips, which indicated significant wear of both sprocket and chain, so I replaced both. The clutch sprocket was fine and I had already serviced my original starter, which worked fine for a few years with my new engine. Plainly I was changing things, which you are not, so I agree that you should leave well alone and carry on your servicing schedule. These bikes can easily exceed 100k miles with minimal replacements, especially when close to stock.

 

'87 Heritage. Stock primary. Original chain and sprockets. Over 130,000. Does not worry me at all.

 

If your not running a hi performance motor you have nothing to worry about for a long time... And yes sharp edges on the teeth of the compensator are an indication of worn parts...