I have about 51,000 on my 08 eGlide. I have changed engine oil every 2500 miles and tranny + primary fluid every 5000 miles religiously.

With the number of miles I am starting to think I should look at the primary chain tensioner. Since they took away the inspection cover on the primary cover (not derby) I will have to pull the cover to inspect it... which looks like kind of a big deal to me.

So, other than pulling the cover and looking at the tensioner, is there any way to tell it needs to be replaced by the way the bike shifts or runs? All seems fine, but I'd rather to some maintenance up front rather than repair damage later.

And how big a deal is this project?

Thanks.

 

Not too big a deal. It's a fairly easy job. However, you should be able to shine a flashlight through the derby cover and be able to see the tensioner somewhat.

 

If you pull the primary cover, you would need to remove the front footboard and the rear footboard. Then just remove the primary cover bolts.

 

I did the same thing on my 07 Road Glide last year.

You should have a shop manual before you tear into anything!!

What will you do if you open it up and find the tensioner shoe is worn down? That's right, you'll want to change it. To do that, you will need the manual because you can't guess about the process or torque values.

On my 07, I was going after the inner primary bearing because I knew there was a problem from the noise my primary was making. Ended up pulling the inner prmary which is a fairly big job but very doable with a manual.

If you don't have a shop manual, you can get one at an Ebay store for around $50.

Good luck on you job.

Steve

 

Yup easy job, should just cost you the primary oil if you're just checking. You can re-use the Primary Gasket.
FWIW I just had mine apart at 45K and it is starting to wear. Minmimally, but it did have approximately 1/16" to 3/32" chain grooves worn into it. Plenty of wear left - I just wonder if it'll wear faster now that it's worn in? I'm wondering about my Cam Chain Tensioners now too?

 

Already have the shop manual... it was the first thing I bought for the bike.

This will probably be a winter project... Being October, we'll probably get our first blizzard in the next couple of weeks, so I'll probably do it then.

Thanks for the advice.

 

I hear you. If one's worn, wouldn't the other be worn too?

Thing is, from what I hear getting the cam cover off is a bugger. A lot of smacking with a rubber hammer is involved.. which kind of bothers me.. because I think smacking with a hammer ought to be done by some one more qualified than myself.

 

Give me a call..............I'm good at beatin' **** with a rubber mallet

 

Dawg IS a pro!

 

Isn't there a video floating around of you beating the $hit out of a cam cover????

Link anyone???