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I've also been in contact with Hayden Enterprise about the same issueswith my adjuster shoe. In fact my shoe looks just like the OP's. Got an E-mail from Hayden saying they were sending an updated spring and new shoe. This was Dec 1st, 2014. have not been contacted by Hayden since then. If you ask me, that's **** poor customer service. Guess I'll take my chance of the OE chain tensioner taking out the IPB, I bought the extended warranty, so we'll see. To see more examples of failures search M6 chain tensioner.
Thank you for the help so far, guys. It's funny that I put the Hayden tensioner in to alleviate stress on the IPB and now it looks like it may have caused a failure.
To me that sounds like the tensioner not the IPB.
To check that it's the IPB pull in the clutch while in gear.
If the sound goes away it's probably the IPB, if not, it's the tensioner/chain too tight.
*When you pull in the clutch the IPB stops spinning.
From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
IMO some folks were not curious enough.
Hayden produced a quality metal support/guide for the M6 tensioner, the plastic shoe was optimized but the spring force doesn't seem to correspond to industry standard for our size of chain. A chain needs to float a little bit to dampen changes of load otherwise it will break.
A worn shoe at 2,000 miles should be considered as a "cry-for-help" from the chain!
To check that it's the IPB pull in the clutch while in gear.
If the sound goes away it's probably the IPB, if not, it's the tensioner/chain too tight.
*When you pull in the clutch the IPB stops spinning.
That piece of information just saved me a ton of work. I'll re-install the tensioner with the updated springs that they are sending along with the new shoe and see what happens.
I asked the installing shop to give me the stock tensioner back when they put the Hayden in but they threw it away.
Edit: I forgot to add, there is a fair bit of metallic dust in the oil, enough to fill the void between the drain plug magnet and the primary case around it and then some. I'm guessing it's from the chain, from being too tight.
stock tensioner was too tight way back after just 500 miles new bike (very noticeable whining)
IPB started failing over 6 yrs ago and finnally race walked inbound last fall.(just noticeable growling)
hayden solved whining/tightnes a few yrs ago-smoother/quiter/proper tension problem solved with no wear issue what so ever(checked over 35k on them)
replaced IPB and RED loctite on new race last fall.-growling 100% gone.
Maybe some hayden tensioners were indeed defective or they are for the older bikes is another explanation I heard but here are my results.
I have purchased an M-6 for installation on my 09 SG. I raised this issue with Hayden a few months ago, and got the following email responses.
On 1/7/15 Hayden said:
Hello Jeffrey and thank you for your interest in Hayden Products. As you may be aware, we have been manufacturing the M6 Chain Tensioner for over 25 years and hold the patent on the product. Periodically Harley will make slight changes to the inner primary case and we will be required to modify our mounting bracket to accommodate these changes. They did so in 2001 then not again until 2007. We updated our bracket to address the 2007 and newer bikes. Periodically, based on input from customers like yourself, we make slight modifications to the product to allow for easier installation, better fitment, etc. We did recently slightly modify the tension on the springs provided with the M6BT07 (for 2007 and newer bikes) and have heard good things. The change was slight, but seemed to have pleased many customers. That is the model necessary for your installation.
Please let us know if you have further questions. We're here to help.
Hayden Enterprises
On 1/8/15 I asked:
"{w}hen did you implement the spring modification and how do I ensure that I receive the updated version? Is there a unique item number?
On 1/8/15 Hayden responded, in part:
We didn't start shipping the modified springs until middle of December.
FInally, a dealer (M and M) that has the new springs tells me they are shorter.
So far, This is my only experience with the new springs. New ones are about 1/4" shorter. Have not installed and probably won't as I just noticed the little dimples in the center wear bar on the shoe much like the OP's. Only1500 mi. on it
Last edited by Smokey Stover; Feb 4, 2015 at 05:01 PM.
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