M8 primary chain adjuster.

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Jun 22, 2018 | 09:02 AM

#11

VDeuce

Road Warrior

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 1,382

Likes: 404

From: Illinois

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpooch00

That started with the '06 Dyna's and in everything else in '07. They've been causing problems off and on ever since - and making Baker Inc. a little more prosperous through the sales of the "Attitude Adjuster" which eliminates the issues permanently.

Been there with the Baker, bent 2 of them with my 120 TC. Got the latest version on the shelf, tried installing it but didn't like the chain angle over the shoe and when rotating it made some noise, so took it out. Next time I'm in there I'll weld the stock unit. The new Baker was also slightly angled out of the box, didn't like that.

Jun 22, 2018 | 09:36 AM

#12

jpooch00

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 4,867

Likes: 268

From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by VDeuce

Are you sure that you rotated the chain around to find the absolute "tightest" spot before setting the adjustment? AFAIK, adjusting them at a "loose" spot is the leading cause of them getting bent. That's the downfall of the OEM unit. It adjusts to the loosest spot and when the tight spot comes around the chain can be massively over-tight - that's what trashes the inner primary bearings and can damage the comp and crankshaft bearing, too.

The slack in my '15 Limited varies by a full 1/2 inch and was like that the day I bought the bike and installed the Baker unit. For the record, my chain was guitar-string-tight on the COLD bike when I took the cover off (62 total miles on the clock) - and they get even tighter at op temp due to expansion.

Mine was a little noisy at first, too, but I had put Redline primary lube in it. Changing to Formula+ silenced it. FWIW, Mine is the original unit, not the updated version.

Welding the stock unit will certainly eliminate any future over-tightening once and for all. Just make sure it's not already over-tightening the chain before goin' for it!

Good luck and best wishes,

JP

Last edited by jpooch00; Jun 22, 2018 at 09:51 AM.

Jun 22, 2018 | 02:02 PM

#13

RK12

Cruiser

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 218

Likes: 15

From: CT

Mine was too tight and making a whining noise like a supercharger. Some don’t adjust at all. Twist that throttle.

Jun 15, 2019 | 08:18 PM

#14

Jeremy Belko

Cruiser

Joined: Jun 2019

Posts: 100

Likes: 40

From: merrillville, in

Quote:

Originally Posted by lp

I've had it in my hand and it's the racheting type.

Funny thing is the pre 17 model would sometimes rachet up too tight and the new one seems to never rachet up at all... I've been in there a few times to manually click it up a notch after the chain got loose and sloppy.

Ive hear too tight of a chain can screw bearings, what about too loose? Other than the noise, will it do any harm to components?

Jun 15, 2019 | 08:24 PM

#15

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 11,476

Likes: 3,003

From: Charleston, SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy Belko

Ive hear too tight of a chain can screw bearings, what about too loose? Other than the noise, will it do any harm to components?

I can't say for sure but with it loose you'll feel drive train slop and possibly additional vibration.

Jun 16, 2019 | 09:04 AM

#16

Phil13

Road Master

Joined: Feb 2018

Posts: 1,197

Likes: 1,852

From: England

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy Belko

Ive hear too tight of a chain can screw bearings, what about too loose? Other than the noise, will it do any harm to components?

Depends how loose. Very loose primary chains can take lumps out of the inside of the primary chain cases. Ordinary everyday loose chains cause the teeth on the drive sprocket and clutch drum to wear into a 'hook' shape. Loose chains wear sprockets out prematurely, worn sprockets wear out chains faster.