Primary Chain Life
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 217
Likes: 38
From: NE Illinois
Primary Chain Life
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
rol427
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,570
Likes: 590
From: almost there
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 $$$$.
Last edited by aces&8s; Sep 6, 2018 at 05:23 PM. Reason: secret
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,062
Likes: 4,547
From: Haslet Texas
I've worn out one but that was because my Hayden M6 failed.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,324
Likes: 3,869
From: Upstate New York
If Im in the primary for some reason and the chain has more than 40K on it Ill throw in a new chain for peace of mind. That said, I probably have quite a bit more on the chain I have in there now.
A roller chain in an oil bath is a pretty ideal environment.
A roller chain in an oil bath is a pretty ideal environment.
Banned
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 4,576
Likes: 978
From: Viet Vet, crossroads
Make sure someone does not sell you a Chinese chain! (or you will get to do it again real soon)
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
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.
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