Primary chain adjusters
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,077
Likes: 11,100
From: San Diego, CA
Kinda makes you wonder if the changes were all done simply because someone screwed up and had to post the issue on the internet. I do believe that the finer tooth count and a possible adjustment smaller tension spring travel was the result of the early tensioners ratcheting too tight. Also the reduced number of teeth on the block helped the tensioner ratchet when it needed to. Otherwise, since it is submerged on oil, the teeth would have issues separating.
I read an article years ago that was discussing the changes made between the auto tensioner versions. The early one flexing, was mentioned as one of the possible factors to the tensioner ratcheting too tight. I don't remember if they said how they came to that conclusion.....
Sadly I didn't save the article.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,200
Likes: 3,029
From: St.Louis Mo.
Does not sound like many here like the Baker adjuster. I removed the primary cover this morning and my chain is adjusted correctly and nothing looks to be out of the place. I will fashion up and oil defector out of cardboard so i can start the bike without slinging oil everywhere to watch and listen while it's running. I will report back after i have a better idea of what's going on.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,200
Likes: 3,029
From: St.Louis Mo.
I just had the bike running and it sure seems the comp. is noisy. But i think it's been noisy since it's be new. Not making any noise when starting or shutting it off, yet . I am going to button it back up and add new oil and ride until it gets bad. I guess it's time to turn up the radio.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,002
Likes: 1,240
From: On the Front Range, CO
I broke the Baker unit. Not the shoe, but the actual metal mount/support, in three places.
Im not hard on my bikes, but this was in a 124 build.
I run the new version of OEM. It works well in my 124 and my 128.
Sometimes I feel like I went chasing solutions to problems I didnt have.
Im not hard on my bikes, but this was in a 124 build.
I run the new version of OEM. It works well in my 124 and my 128.
Sometimes I feel like I went chasing solutions to problems I didnt have.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,200
Likes: 3,029
From: St.Louis Mo.
My Baker looks fine and the chain is adjusted correctly and didn't need anything. So far, so good, but i have read about failures.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,200
Likes: 3,029
From: St.Louis Mo.
I broke the Baker unit. Not the shoe, but the actual metal mount/support, in three places.
Im not hard on my bikes, but this was in a 124 build.
I run the new version of OEM. It works well in my 124 and my 128.
Sometimes I feel like I went chasing solutions to problems I didnt have.
Im not hard on my bikes, but this was in a 124 build.
I run the new version of OEM. It works well in my 124 and my 128.
Sometimes I feel like I went chasing solutions to problems I didnt have.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,002
Likes: 1,240
From: On the Front Range, CO
Here's a picture of the Baker after I removed it.
Attachment 613968
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,002
Likes: 1,240
From: On the Front Range, CO
I was about 2 months out of warranty but I did still contact them in hopes that they might extend some good will or at least a discount on a new unit. It also had less than 5k miles on it.
That wasn't the case, nor did they offer any comment on the failure itself.
Though it's a simple piece to replace, it's still a PITA to pull the primary cover, make a mess with fluids, etc. Those factors were all under consideration and led me to replace the tensioner with the updated OEM version.
That wasn't the case, nor did they offer any comment on the failure itself.
Though it's a simple piece to replace, it's still a PITA to pull the primary cover, make a mess with fluids, etc. Those factors were all under consideration and led me to replace the tensioner with the updated OEM version.
Last edited by Redbeard719; Sep 8, 2021 at 10:28 AM.