Thanks got one on order now.

 

I've been looking online and it seems the IPB taking a dump is a far too common occurrence.

Can't even find an upgrade for 09 and up bikes.

Guess ill have to accept that it needs changing every 20000 miles or so.

 

Mine just went bad at 32000 miles. Weak bearings I guess.

 

get rid of the stock Harley Ratchet tensioner with a Hayden or something similar...then you wont..
Did my inner primary bearing at 16k..the chain was stupidly tight..Pity me for not checking the chain tension before, but i though the "automatic" chain tensioner would work as intended..

 

I'm not convinced the IPB failures are down to the auto tensioner, maybe a batch of cheap bearings. Hoping the company has wised up and changed to better quality now.

Having said that I noticed that the starter ring gear on the clutch assembly had been interfering with the inner primary and was evidenced by a crescent shaped wear mark on the inner primary. Of course if the IPB is shot that might be what allows the auto tensioner to tighten and pull the ring gear into contact with the inner primary, rather than being the initial cause.

Frankly I don't know the answer so its trial and error.

I thought about using and aftermarket IPB, but decided to give HD another try.

I have looked at some tensioner alternatives.

Thought about the SE manual tensioner, just not sure which way to go.

Southern Oregon Hot Bikes does an hydraulic auto tensioner, but can't find anyone who has had one for any real miles.

I don't see a manual tensioner as an issue because after initial chain stretch, which in my case has occurred, I would only crack the primary every 20,000 miles.

For a manual tensioner the SE effort does seem a little over priced.

I need to resolve the IPB issue, because if I don't trust it I won't be using the bike for extended trips.

I don't recall the IPB being an issue on older bikes, so what changed, the 6 speed tranny. Why would that make a difference.

The auto tensioner ?, aftermarket auto tensioners have been used for som time, I had a hydraulic on on my 04 train.

HD cutting production cost by using cheaper parts to max profit, well if I'm honest that's my primary suspect......... Pun intended.

 

Just had a look at the starter pinion gear, this is the first tim I have examined one, can anyone comment on how mine looks?

 

Just ordered the Hayden tensioner as they seem to be happy to ship to the UK.

The more I look at how the HD auto tensioner works the less I like it.

The main problem I have with it is that it will take up slack on a warm chain or where the chain is slack, but it won't back off when the chain cools or for chain tight spots. Whether or not this could kill an IPB its not any good for the chain.

I'm not liking the look of changing the outer race on the inner primary case so I'm going to run the case to a dealer and have them do it.

 

looks ok. be mindful of those (2) positioning dowels.

 

Thanks

I don't think the dowels will be a problem as they seem fairly tightly seated in the inner primary case.

Don't know what it's like in the US but no one seems to carry the IPB here, in fact I had to order it from Jersey HD.

 

Oops, just had a thought. Does the stock rotor need to be changed, and if so is it included in the SE comp kit.

If not apart from gaskets what else isn't included in the SE kit that I will need?

Thanks.