Making me tense!

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Jul 10, 2012 | 07:59 PM

creatv1

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Tourer

Joined: Oct 2009

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Making me tense!

After reading some books, researching posts here, talking with an indy, and talking to a dealership, I'm thoroughly confused about primary chain adjusters.

Bike is a 94 FLSTN, and my chain is a bit slack, bike is jerking around a bit throttle on and off, and since I'm in there, thought I should maybe replace the adjuster with an automatic adjuster-- maybe a Hayden M6, one of the aftermarket hydraulic ones, or the HD hydraulic part. Problem is, I can't seem to get a consistent answer. Here is what I've heard so far:

KIP WOODRING, in his book 101 EVO PERFORMANCE UPGRADES: "M6 tensioner fixes clunk from neutral to first, removes jerks from primary, reduces vibration, smoothes out the ride and takes up slack when compression braking" (loosely paraphrased)

INDY: "hate those automatic adjusters, nothing but trouble with them. Takes too long for hydraulic adjusters to build pressure. Just use the manual adjuster."

HARLEY DEALER: "We've had problems with the M6, use the HD hydraulic" (of course)

HD FORUMS: After a couple of hours searching old posts, it seems most posters are split on opinions, although several, including a guy from Baker, say that the HD part is garbage and places too much tension on the chain. Many say just to keep stock adjuster, but it seems 2007+ bikes have automatic adjusters already so it's comparing apples to oranges?

I'm hoping that some of you other EVO owners have been through this once or twice and can make sense of all of this. Anyone know what's best? In the end, I don't mind adjusting manually, but like the idea of smoothing out the drivetrain a little bit if that is indeed possible.

Thanks in advance for your help with this

Jim

Jul 10, 2012 | 08:05 PM

badcooky

Banned

Joined: Jan 2012

Posts: 3,098

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From: Location location.

Never had a problem with the stock set up, can't see why you would.

Jul 10, 2012 | 08:09 PM

tazzzman

Tourer

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 272

Likes: 3

From: Lake Stevens, Wa.

I just adjust mine manually every so often. Don't think I've ever had a bike that didn't go "clunk" into first.

Jul 10, 2012 | 08:41 PM

Gunslingertom

Road Master

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 1,062

Likes: 18

From: Beautiful SW Missouri Ozark Mountain Country

I adjust my stock one when it needs it, which has been once since I've owned it. The shoe itself had no wear whatsoever. I even bought a new shoe in anticipation of the old one being worn. Now I'm stuck with a new shoe I'll probably never need.

Jul 10, 2012 | 09:12 PM

texashillcountry

Dirt don't hurt

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 21,065

Likes: 4,561

From: Haslet Texas

I put an M6 in mine. So far so good.
I plan on opening up the primary to check it out at the next oil change.

Jul 10, 2012 | 09:13 PM

Schex

Club Member

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 5,802

Likes: 7,829

From: SE Louisiana

Stock for me, seems to be the most dependable, I check it at every oil change,
just try not to "lash" the chain with the throttle.

Jul 10, 2012 | 09:17 PM

Spanners39

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 7,736

Likes: 1,524

From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand

Not a fan of automatic anything to be honest....the H-D stock auto adjuster is a pig to assemble and get the primary in place....anyone who says the manual one puts too much tension on the chain is adjusting it too tight IMHO.