adjusting clutch and primary chain

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Jun 19, 2011 | 12:48 PM

98glider

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 1,596

Likes: 80

From: nj

adjusting clutch and primary chain

Should I adjust clutch when the bike is warm or cold Also primary chain adjustment should the chain be measured from center of the chain slack

Jun 19, 2011 | 01:32 PM

nvsteve

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 5,977

Likes: 85

From: Nevada

Best to adjust both cold.
Yes on the primary and check in several places.

Jun 19, 2011 | 02:03 PM

95yj

Road Captain

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 601

Likes: 6

From: Aruba

Quote:

Originally Posted by nvsteve

Best to adjust both cold.
Yes on the primary and check in several places.

+1

To elaborate, the chain will have tighter and looser sections. Rotate the chain so the tightest spot is in the middle and adjust to this spot on the chain. Don't adjust to the loosest spot.

Jun 20, 2011 | 06:44 PM

1skrewsloose

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 2,936

Likes: 20

From: Driftless Area

the manual for my 90 shows specs for hot and cold, but, like has been said, like doing it cold, why mess with all that heat of the motor.

Jun 20, 2011 | 06:51 PM

RidemyEVO

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 3,039

Likes: 11

From: Northern Ontario

Quote:

Originally Posted by 95yj

+1

To elaborate, the chain will have tighter and looser sections. Rotate the chain so the tightest spot is in the middle and adjust to this spot on the chain. Don't adjust to the loosest spot.

I 100% agree manual says tightest in the middle and I think its 3/4 to 7/8 (no manual on my lap ). As for clutch adjust cold try it and readjust if needed and if readjustment is needed obviosly it will now be hot.

Jun 21, 2011 | 03:42 PM

98glider

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 1,596

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From: nj

Thanks guys

Jun 22, 2011 | 05:17 AM

Bama91

Tourer

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 350

Likes: 0

From: Reidsville, NC

I remember 5/8-7/8 on the primary. Lift the rear wheel or roll bike to 4 or 5 positions to check chain slack. Too tight in spots will not hurt it that's why the foot is plastic. It will wear before the sprockets will.

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Jun 22, 2011 | 10:01 AM

95yj

Road Captain

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 601

Likes: 6

From: Aruba

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bama91

If you adjust the chain when it's on one of the loose spots, the chain will be too tight and you'll get whining from the primary. (Found this out the hard way quite a few years back.) It's true that your adjusting shoe will wear but that means you'll need to buy another shoe or on some bikes the entire adjuster. Also, the chain will stretch out and if you keep doing this, you'll need to replace the primary chain.

Too tight a chain is bad for your seals and bearings on the engine and tranny but more so on the tranny side.

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Oct 8, 2011 | 12:26 PM

DD06FLHRC

6th Gear

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 12

Likes: 1

Whining noise in 3rd & 4th gear

I have an 06 roadking and recently replaced the stock cam tensioner with the screamin eagle preplacement chain kit. I have noticed a whining noise when I am at the upper end of 3rd and 4th gear. Looking for potential causes, such as primary chain, cam tensioner etc..wonderiing if anyone has any suggestions before I bring it to ann HD dealer.