Minimum spec for primary chain adjustment
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4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2009
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Minimum spec for primary chain adjustment
I recently purchased a 2001 Road king, carb, 13000 miles. First Harley but have been riding and fixing metrics for years. I searched the archives and can not find a specific answer for my question. The bike feels a bit jerky when riding in First or second gear but coasts fine when I pull in the clutch. When I changed the fluids I adjusted the clutch and found the primary chain to be with in spec at three quarter inch. I adjusted it to five eights and did a test run in a parking lot and found it a little better I re-adjusted to half inch and then to three eights of an inch. The bike seemed to run fine and the first ,second gear jerkyness seemed to clear up. I reset chain back to five eights again because the manual,fix your hog dvd , and U-tubevideo says to adjust from five eights to seven eights. I am concerned about running the chain to tight but don't know if three eights is to tight or does my primary chain have a tight spot in it Although I removed the plugs and bumped the starter to get different measurements and nothing really jumped out at me as being abnormal. Sorry for the long post, I had quite a few minor issues when I first purchased the bike but was able to solve all through this forum and with the manual,so I would rather solve this problem,with the forums help then take it to a dealer and have him charge me for something that I could have learned from this forum.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 353
Likes: 5
From: Beasley Texas
Guess you could pull the primary cover and inspect your chain up close for tight spot flexing every link by hand. any reason to believe the chin would get froze link? might be good time to check the compensator nut and clutch nut. 3/8 sure feels tight. if you havent done so allready check the swing arm all around the axle bolt for cracks. just had mine break(01 RK). finding out there was a problem on 01 and below. good luck
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,984
Likes: 8
Adjust it with the engine cold, between 5/8-7/8. I normally set mine at 5/8-3/4.
3. Check the primary chain tension. Push on the upper
strand on the chain to verify that it has free movement
midway between the engine compensating sprocket in
the front and the clutch sprocket in the rear.
a. With the engine cold, upward (not total) free play in
upper strand should be 5/8-7/8 in. (15.9-22.3 mm).
b. With the engine hot, upward (not total) free play in
upper strand should be 3/8-5/8 in. (9.5-15.9 mm).3. Check the primary chain tension. Push on the upper
strand on the chain to verify that it has free movement
midway between the engine compensating sprocket in
the front and the clutch sprocket in the rear.
a. With the engine cold, upward (not total) free play in
upper strand should be 5/8-7/8 in. (15.9-22.3 mm).
b. With the engine hot, upward (not total) free play in
I recently purchased a 2001 Road king, carb, 13000 miles. First Harley but have been riding and fixing metrics for years. I searched the archives and can not find a specific answer for my question. The bike feels a bit jerky when riding in First or second gear but coasts fine when I pull in the clutch. When I changed the fluids I adjusted the clutch and found the primary chain to be with in spec at three quarter inch. I adjusted it to five eights and did a test run in a parking lot and found it a little better I re-adjusted to half inch and then to three eights of an inch. The bike seemed to run fine and the first ,second gear jerkyness seemed to clear up. I reset chain back to five eights again because the manual,fix your hog dvd , and U-tubevideo says to adjust from five eights to seven eights. I am concerned about running the chain to tight but don't know if three eights is to tight or does my primary chain have a tight spot in it Although I removed the plugs and bumped the starter to get different measurements and nothing really jumped out at me as being abnormal. Sorry for the long post, I had quite a few minor issues when I first purchased the bike but was able to solve all through this forum and with the manual,so I would rather solve this problem,with the forums help then take it to a dealer and have him charge me for something that I could have learned from this forum.
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Joined: Nov 2008
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 36
Likes: 3
From: Brighton MI
Just make sure you have the chain at it's tightest point. The chain will have tight spots and loose spots, mine varies 1/4". Take your plugs out, put your bike in the highest gear on your stand, then rotate the rear tire while checking the tension until you find the tightest point on the chain. Set to 5/8 and forget it.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,471
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From: Charleston, SC
Just make sure you have the chain at it's tightest point. The chain will have tight spots and loose spots, mine varies 1/4". Take your plugs out, put your bike in the highest gear on your stand, then rotate the rear tire while checking the tension until you find the tightest point on the chain. Set to 5/8 and forget it.
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