Primary chain/adjuster shoe life
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,426
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From: Heart of Dixie
Primary chain/adjuster shoe life
For you riders who have racked up many, many miles on your Sportster, about how many miles do you think a primary chain and adjuster shoe should last, assuming regular maintenance, proper fluid level, and not "ridin' it like I stole it"? My 1983 Ironhead has a little over 40,000 on it, and the primary chain adjustment I did last weekend looks to have used up most of the remaining length in the adjusting screw. Does that mean I probably need a new chain, shoe, or maybe both in the near future? I'll probably pull the primary cover for a look when I get a chance, but I just wanted to know if this seemed about right to those with high mileage. I plan on riding it an additional 500 to 1000 miles before I have a look at it. There are no funny noises or anything - I'm not rolling the dice, am I?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 16
From: Houston Texas
You are probably OK with waiting another 1K miles, but you should remove the primary cover soon and inspect it. All it will cost you is a gasket and a little time.
If the adjuster is badly worn, by all means replace it. If it were to break or come apart and jam between the engine case and the sprocket, well......... Let me say you are going to regret not taking a look at it sooner, should that happen.......... pg
If the adjuster is badly worn, by all means replace it. If it were to break or come apart and jam between the engine case and the sprocket, well......... Let me say you are going to regret not taking a look at it sooner, should that happen.......... pg
For you riders who have racked up many, many miles on your Sportster, about how many miles do you think a primary chain and adjuster shoe should last, assuming regular maintenance, proper fluid level, and not "ridin' it like I stole it"? My 1983 Ironhead has a little over 40,000 on it, and the primary chain adjustment I did last weekend looks to have used up most of the remaining length in the adjusting screw. Does that mean I probably need a new chain, shoe, or maybe both in the near future? I'll probably pull the primary cover for a look when I get a chance, but I just wanted to know if this seemed about right to those with high mileage. I plan on riding it an additional 500 to 1000 miles before I have a look at it. There are no funny noises or anything - I'm not rolling the dice, am I?
I got lucky with mine. The steel part of the shoe broke. First i was aware of it was when i tried to adjust the p chain and nothing happened - it just stayed way loose. I do not know how long it was like that. Took off the cover, replaced the shoe, good to go.
I "have heard" that the p chains basically last forever if not abused, because they run in an oil bath they do not generally wear out. Just what i "have heard".
I "have heard" that the p chains basically last forever if not abused, because they run in an oil bath they do not generally wear out. Just what i "have heard".
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 751
Likes: 6
From: 500 miles south from Artic Circle
I agree IronMick that chain last "forever" but if it's too tight it will worn=stretch.
Keep chain so that there is 3/8 -1/2" movement, you actually can hear if its' too tight
there is whining noise coming from primary. If its' too loose you can hear rattle from primary, it's better to be little loose than tight. Shoe was changed in -77, best indication of "new model" is adjustment from outside ( under primary). Some shoes has last only 15000 miles some 50000.
Keep chain so that there is 3/8 -1/2" movement, you actually can hear if its' too tight
there is whining noise coming from primary. If its' too loose you can hear rattle from primary, it's better to be little loose than tight. Shoe was changed in -77, best indication of "new model" is adjustment from outside ( under primary). Some shoes has last only 15000 miles some 50000.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 16
From: Houston Texas
Yes it does indicate a problem!
The problem is your rear chain is worn out.
As it rotates around the sprocket(s) there is a certain pitch to the teeth on the sprocket. Originally your new chain matched this pitch.
Now what has happened is every link in the chain has 'stretched' a little bit. The pitch is no longer matching that of the sprockets.
It gets a tight spot because the chain is trying to climb the teeth of the sprocket(s) and shows up first on the larger rear sprocket.
It will begin to wear down the teeth on the sprocket(s) and make the tips slant forward. I have seen them worn so badly that the teeth were reduced to nothing but nubs, and of course the worn out chain just ratcheted arounf the sprocket. That was extreme.
Replace the chain before you do more damage. If the teeth are presently cupped forward as I describe, then you must replace the sprockets as well. Failing to do that will only wear out the chain quickly, because the pitch is not the same for a new chain and badly worn sprockets. Replacement of the chain before this damage happens is the key to keeping the expense to a minimum.
I love rocket science!
pg
The problem is your rear chain is worn out.
As it rotates around the sprocket(s) there is a certain pitch to the teeth on the sprocket. Originally your new chain matched this pitch.
Now what has happened is every link in the chain has 'stretched' a little bit. The pitch is no longer matching that of the sprockets.
It gets a tight spot because the chain is trying to climb the teeth of the sprocket(s) and shows up first on the larger rear sprocket.
It will begin to wear down the teeth on the sprocket(s) and make the tips slant forward. I have seen them worn so badly that the teeth were reduced to nothing but nubs, and of course the worn out chain just ratcheted arounf the sprocket. That was extreme.
Replace the chain before you do more damage. If the teeth are presently cupped forward as I describe, then you must replace the sprockets as well. Failing to do that will only wear out the chain quickly, because the pitch is not the same for a new chain and badly worn sprockets. Replacement of the chain before this damage happens is the key to keeping the expense to a minimum.
I love rocket science!
pg
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 751
Likes: 6
From: 500 miles south from Artic Circle
Primary chain is totally different issue than secondary chain...
I recommend that you change secondary chain and both sprockets, 40000 miles are enough for them.
I recommend that you change secondary chain and both sprockets, 40000 miles are enough for them.
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What i do is adjust it at whatever spot it happens to be at, that run it around checking, and loosen it off a bit if i find a tighter spot. This way i do not have to go thru the [annoying!] process of trying to find the tightest spot.
