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Warning: Check your primary tensioner

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Old Apr 17, 2010 | 04:16 PM
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Default Warning: Check your primary tensioner
I was doing routine maintenance yesterday, did my primary chain adjustment, I found the tensioner shoe slid back and forth, it can't be right. I looked at the service manual and found a circlip missing, that circlip is used to lock the tensioner shoe in place. I can't take a chance and opened the primary cover, thank god the circlip sit right the bottom where the magnetic drain plug is. I end up getting an updated auto chain tensioner from Harley, the original tensioner shoe wore half way due to excessive movement, if I wasn't doing the chain adjustment, it might turn into a nightmare. I'd like to share this with you guys, check it regularly!
 
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Old Apr 17, 2010 | 06:13 PM
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Your question now is wether the circlip is defective, the numbnut who put it on was stoned, is the seat bad, or was it ever on to begin with?
 
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Old Apr 17, 2010 | 07:05 PM
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I just tightened mine the other day, and now you got me worried I should check and make sure my clip is installed.
 
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Old Apr 17, 2010 | 07:21 PM
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I put an auto tensioner on mine a year or so ago but still take a look inside whenever I'm doing a service.
 
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Old Apr 17, 2010 | 07:29 PM
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The last 2 times I adjusted the chain, I clearly remember the shoe didn't slide back and forth, the circlip was there for sure. If you look at the shoe retainer shaft circlip groove, it looks kind of shallow, it may come off easily.

Originally Posted by Quadancer
Your question now is wether the circlip is defective, the numbnut who put it on was stoned, is the seat bad, or was it ever on to begin with?
 
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Old Apr 18, 2010 | 12:43 PM
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Good thing. I've seen NEW bikes in the crate with stuff missed from the factory when I was wrenching for Triumph; it wouldn't surprise me to see one come that way.
 
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Old Apr 18, 2010 | 06:50 PM
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I put the auto tensioner on mine last year as well. No more adjusting.
 
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Old Apr 18, 2010 | 08:59 PM
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How much you pay for those things? I adjusted mine in about 10 minutes, including repolishing the chrome. I know, I'mma cheap bastid.
 
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Old Apr 18, 2010 | 10:10 PM
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Thanks for the HEADS-UP Auto!!!
 
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