Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Hayden chain tensioner

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 29, 2012 | 04:48 AM
  #21  
Expat1's Avatar
Expat1
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 4
From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
Default

Originally Posted by GPHDXLC
OP here.
Well from the 10 post this Thread has got so far looks like the main reason to install one is to help the IPB from going bad. 'dawg' and 'jayStronghawk' felt some improvement in how the primary works. But '05LowRider' 'lionsm13' and NEcaveman' felt little or no improvement in the primary. The reason I'm interested in this is my 11 King with 17000 miles has a wiring sound from the primary and I get a very loud clunk from neutral to first, a lot louder then my last 3 Harleys. I get a lot of clonking that sounds like chain slap but the dealer's say it's just the compensator.
I live in Michigan and it won't be long and she will be put up for the winter and my Warranty runs out this December.
We all know that sometimes on this Forum, a lot of people go buy a item just because every one seems to be buying one, I don't have the $ to waist on the next new thing.
I hope to hear more that it will make the primary work smoother and quieter and not just because it "might" help the IPB.
According to the parts manual, the double row angular bearing #37906-60 (equivalent to industry #5207) located inside the clutch basket 37813-06A is built as a lateral positioning device more than a radial load bearing. It is designed to accommodate a slight misalignment with the hub assembly when all clutch disks are set free. I would worry more about it's limited operating temperature (250-300°F) than the tension of the chain itself.
 
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2012 | 08:37 AM
  #22  
drukanfu's Avatar
drukanfu
Supporter
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,189
Likes: 16
From: N.E. Wisconsin
Default

I'm gonna put a temperature gage on my primary ...lol.

HD Formula +
 
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2012 | 09:20 AM
  #23  
Expat1's Avatar
Expat1
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 4
From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
Default

Originally Posted by drukanfu
I'm gonna put a temperature gage on my primary ...lol.

HD Formula +
If you use an online oil viscosity calculator for bearings (typ. SKF) you will obtain the required viscosity at a given temperature under normal load of the IPB.
At 150 Deg Celsius the 5207 calls for a viscosity ~8 [mm^2/sec] (HTHS)
At 100C it's ~15
At 40C it's ~150*

*edit= (150 is the equivalent viscosity at 40C meaning a grade 40-50 oil will still be efficient when reaching 150C)

From these values you can evaluate your driving habits and see where you stand. Formula+ is perfect for people "in the middle" of a sample, like you and me [today]
 

Last edited by Expat1; Oct 30, 2012 at 02:47 AM. Reason: IPB oil degrades and should be changed more often.
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2012 | 10:28 AM
  #24  
d-streetglidr's Avatar
d-streetglidr
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 35
From: South Carolina-First to secede and hopefully the next.
Default

Got one coming. We'll see........
 
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2012 | 11:10 AM
  #25  
lonerider2's Avatar
lonerider2
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Sylva,NC
Default

I live here in the Smoky Mountains, 90% of my riding is on twisty roads and most of the time I'm in 2nd or 3rd gear using a lot of engine braking, I can't to see how that small spring on the Hayden will keep tension on the upper portion of the primary chain when using the engine to slow down a 900 lbs + of bike and rider. That upper chain must be slapping the primary top.
 
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2012 | 12:27 PM
  #26  
Pine Tree's Avatar
Pine Tree
MODERATOR
Veteran: Marine Corps
15 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,108
Likes: 1,964
From: New England
Default

Originally Posted by lonerider2
I live here in the Smoky Mountains, 90% of my riding is on twisty roads and most of the time I'm in 2nd or 3rd gear using a lot of engine braking, I can't to see how that small spring on the Hayden will keep tension on the upper portion of the primary chain when using the engine to slow down a 900 lbs + of bike and rider. That upper chain must be slapping the primary top.
The Hayden M6 tensioner uses two springs...one inside the other. Just by feel, I think the Hayden is as strong and maybe stronger then the stock tensioner spring.

My complaint with the stock system is it either takes up too much slack tightening the chain or the teeth slip allowing the tensioner to unadjust causing the chain to flop around.

I've had the Hayden on for a few thousand miles and recently removed the outer primary housing to inspect the tensioner. I found no evidence of the primary chain making contact with any part of the housing.

I can report I've spent quite a bit of time in the north Ga, Tn, and the Carolina hills (as well as the nice hills here in New England) using the Hayden system. And, like you, I use engine braking for many of those rides...so far, so good.
 
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2012 | 12:50 PM
  #27  
AlaskaAviator's Avatar
AlaskaAviator
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 570
Likes: 4
From: New Mexico
Default

I installed a couple in our bikes hoping to reduce the neutral to first clunk. Did not help that at all. Both chains were not tight either. 10 k on one bike and 700 miles on the other one.
 
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2012 | 02:46 PM
  #28  
bagman1's Avatar
bagman1
Grand HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
Default

Who is the forum sponsor for the Hayden?
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 29, 2012 | 03:17 PM
  #29  
JayStronghawk's Avatar
JayStronghawk
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 9,254
Likes: 283
From: Lake City, Florida (Native)
Default

Originally Posted by bagman1
Who is the forum sponsor for the Hayden?


https://www.hdforums.com/forum/vendo...ensioners.html
 
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2012 | 04:08 PM
  #30  
TUCCI's Avatar
TUCCI
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
Default

Originally Posted by lonerider2
I live here in the Smoky Mountains, 90% of my riding is on twisty roads and most of the time I'm in 2nd or 3rd gear using a lot of engine braking, I can't to see how that small spring on the Hayden will keep tension on the upper portion of the primary chain when using the engine to slow down a 900 lbs + of bike and rider. That upper chain must be slapping the primary top.
I've been wondering the same thing, if the spring relaxed during hard downshifting the chains got to be really loose and slapping the top cover. I've read more than one comment to that affect.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:00 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE