I have a 2002 Softtail Deuce FXSTDI with 26K miles and have been told to replace the primary chain tensioner as they tend to wear out and break with nasty consequences.

i just returned from the Laughlin River Run with a Hayden brand Primary Chain Tensioner kit to install. This kit has. A spring to keep the correct tension on the chain. Later I was told that this application could add some pressure to the chain sprocket bearings increasing the potential for wear. I. Was told this would take the clunk out of putting it into 1st gear.

Has anyone had experience with a this type of tensioner? Any advice or experience would be greatly appreciated.

thank you

don

 

Do a search for Hayden tensioner and you're sure to get a bunch to read....

Short version: Hayden makes a good tensioner, used by many, and loved by many.... with one caveat..

When they made the version for the '07 and up big twins, #M6-BT07, they apparently didn't notice something changed in '09 touring bikes. That model did not do well in the '09+ touring bikes. The directions called for a minimum clearance installed, that was impossible to achieve. They ended up changing the install directions/spec. They also had to re-make the springs, for less tension, because the tensioner made some of the chains in '09+ bikes banjo tight.... Many complained/believed it would cause other issues. I still have mine on the shelf, I received the new springs for mine, but lost confidence in that particular application....

I've never heard/read of a problem with the tensioners for the pre '07 bikes... In fact many with the older model tensioners were very happy with it.

Yours should do fine...

 

You sure it wasn't the cam chain tensioners they were talking about? 02 bikes had a manual primary adjuster.

 

@26K you may want to open up the cam chest. If they're shot (the stock tensioners ) they will break apart with the springs holding them and they will make it to the oil pump where they will clog oil ports and cause epic failure of engine. There is also some primary chain tensioners that MOCO had issues with as well, but the bigger fish to fry would be the cam chain tensioners. Good luck, let us know what you do and find when you decide




.

 

I have the Hayden on my 07 for about 20k miles so far........NO problems!!

 

Doesn't the earlier twin cams have a static tensioner? My '06 does. Simple and trouble free. Replace the shoe every so often (less than $20) adjust it properly, and it'll go years without issue.

Why introduce a variable where none is needed?