Well, I just bought a 88 ci softail and will need to follow this thread to see more about this issue.

 

It's the fu*+ed up `silent' chain that cuts thru the shoes like a knife that is the problem. Notice the `new' chain is a roller type with hydro tensioner but shoes are same material. I went with gear drives at 1,000 miles & shoes had about 1/16" wear on them. Money well spent.

 

Well I had an interesting problem with my tensioner, not the shoes wearing out, but the spring snapped and the tensioner rotated backwards. it was just simply flopping around out of the way not holding up against the chain. doesnt appear to be any damage and shoe is well... new so just need to find a spring. I am not sure if they sell the spring on its own or needs the whole damn tensioner rebought. Additionally has anyone found a way around the special socket used to take the spring tension back during installation?

 

Thanks Magna, caught me just in time as the HD kit and cams were ordered, no longer, going with Andrews rollers now...

 

I just replaced my shoes and I think I still have the old ones if you want the spring
You have to buy the whole tensioner for 70 bucks

You don't need the tool to remove the spring, a good pair of channel locks and a small drill bit for the pin will work

Watch this video, fast forward to about 5:40

A word of caution, you will have to take off the outer gears, install the tensioner and pin it back then re install the gears.
10 minute job!

http://youtu.be/0WY8KbPBnYU



Let me know and I will look to see if i threw them away or not