Enclosed Chain Drive
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 533
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
That adjustment procedure must be published somewhere! It can't be a state secret. I have the 84-90 FSM and agree there is no useful info there.
I have ridden enclosed chain bikes of a different hue for donkey's years, but they have flexible tubes the chain runs through, which makes feeling the chain fairly easy.
As an aside, I came by a tin of graphite grease early in my ownership of those bikes and noticed that the only recommended use was for lubricating chains! So that is what I used exclusively for over 100k miles.
I have ridden enclosed chain bikes of a different hue for donkey's years, but they have flexible tubes the chain runs through, which makes feeling the chain fairly easy.
As an aside, I came by a tin of graphite grease early in my ownership of those bikes and noticed that the only recommended use was for lubricating chains! So that is what I used exclusively for over 100k miles.
Apologies for the delayed reply - but, are you suggesting that the procedure to check the chain tension is to do so THROUGH the rubber sleeves enclosing the chain? The TFM really doesn't describe how to do this, and as you said, SOMEBODY's gotta know!
When I change my primary fluid tonight, I plan to drain the oil from the rear sprocket enclosure and pump it fulla grease. The PJ1 chain lube I use is just a spray-version white lithium, it works OK on dirtbike chains, so I figure it'll stay clean and stick to the chain just fine inside an enclosure.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
All I am saying is that the only enclosed chain bikes I have owned (not Harleys) had flexible chain tubes and it was possible to check chain tension by pushing on the lower tube. It did require a little patience to get the knack! I haven't studied Harley's enclosed chain to see if that will work the same way.
I guess that any surplus of that lithium grease will bounce around inside the enclosure and lubricate the chain on the move, like my graphite grease did.
I guess that any surplus of that lithium grease will bounce around inside the enclosure and lubricate the chain on the move, like my graphite grease did.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 533
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
All I am saying is that the only enclosed chain bikes I have owned (not Harleys) had flexible chain tubes and it was possible to check chain tension by pushing on the lower tube. It did require a little patience to get the knack! I haven't studied Harley's enclosed chain to see if that will work the same way.
I guess that any surplus of that lithium grease will bounce around inside the enclosure and lubricate the chain on the move, like my graphite grease did.
I guess that any surplus of that lithium grease will bounce around inside the enclosure and lubricate the chain on the move, like my graphite grease did.
Thanks!
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: cincinnati ohio
enclosed rear chain
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 6
From: Huntersville, NC
Fill the enclosure with gear lube until it comes out the bottom hole. I usually put the plug in and give it a few more squirts from the quart size bottle. Pretty much trouble free until you need a new tire
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