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Great pics, thanks. That C version gives me some concern. The number of teeth on the plastic part appears the same or perhaps ONE more than on the metal part on the B version. I would have hoped for more teeth on the plastic part to spread the load over more surface area. Guess time will tell if the engineers figured this correctly or will have to work up a revision.
Checked my machine (23 FLHP) on Ronnie's part site. Looks like the M8s use yet another part number. Of course, the drawing is inadequate to see how that unit is made. The picture at this address blows up quite large when the cursor moves over it. The M8 tensioner (36500075a) looks to have a metal wedge.
I was aware the M8s used a different tensioner. I had never seen one before so thanks for the pic...
I wasn't thrilled when they switched to the composite teeth, but the MoCo did it without consulting me.....
They made the change around 2021, so there should be a bunch of them out there...
I'll have to admit I haven't heard/read about a horror story with the "C" version..... yet.
I still have the "B" version from my '16 bagger, with 124" crate engine (135HP/151TQ). It handles that engin for 10K miles, then I went to a 32T solid front sprocket , and needed a different tensioner to take up the extra chain slack. I will be going back tot he OEM comp in the near future, and will put that "B" tensioner back in...
There has been enough discussion about the Harley comp vs a solid sprocket, why are you going back?
You are for or against harley comp? My qustion is the harley comp was fine for built up motors in the past, to my knowledge, so why can't the handle an EPA compliant 96"
There has been enough discussion about the Harley comp vs a solid sprocket, why are you going back?
Nothing broken or performing poorly...
I added the smaller, solid front sprocket just for a gearing change. The solid front sprocket does make some extra primary noise. Doesn't bother me much, but it could sound like a primary issue to those without solid sprocket experience...
I'm thinking about getting a newer touring bike. If I sell mine, or try to trade it in, I suspect the primary noise would be considered a bad thing by most. I'm even thinking of putting the old OEM 103" engine back in the bike to make it more appealing to the masses.... Plus I'd get to keep my 124" engine..
If I decide to keep the bike, and leave the 124" in it, I will probably up grade the clutch. At that time, I will use a 49 tooth clutch basket to get the lower gearing. Then I could get a primary chain that will work with the HD adjustable tensioner, and not need the manual tensioner with the bigger shoe, to take up primary chain slack with the smaller, front solid gear.
I ran the bike with the 124" engine, OEM comp, & OEM tensioner for the first 8K miles with the new engine... They gave me no issues..
Last edited by hattitude; Dec 28, 2024 at 09:00 PM.
The difference between the "B" and the "C" as far as I can tell, is that the teeth under the shoe/pad of the "C" are now a reinforced composite of some type. On the "B" they were metal. I have not read/heard any bad reports on the "C" shoe. I am running one in an '09 with the upgraded comp & tensioner.
the lower one is not "A" version, it is just a number (39929-06). A version is similar as "B" but it has teeth through complete metal shoe part lenght...
An now the question, are "As" also problematic and why??
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