Ironhead Primary chain tensioner, stock or M1 or other?

[gotamotor]

Curious on what more experienced people around here think about primary chain tensioner. Mine has one of those M1 spring loaded self adjustable ones in it, harley guru at the shop I know of says they're junk, think I'm gonna go back to stock.

77xlh

[gotamotor]

Error, they're called M6 spring loaded chain tensioner

[Andy Hog]

I like to keep things simple & you can't get much more simple than a bolt & a lock nut for adjusting the primary chain. Springs get weak.

[Fivecats]

This guy really hates them... http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread...to_threadtools

I run them...

[Jeff]

No chain tensioner should ever apply pressure to the chain. Most of these poorly thought out aftermarket tensioners do just that. Applying spring pressure to the chain side loads the bearings on the shafts driving (or being driven by) the chain, resulting in premature failure.

A proper "self adjusting" chain tensioner will be cleverly designed to constantly take up whatever slack gets created by chain stretch over time, without actually applying pressure to the chain. There are oil fed designs, ratcheting designs (I believe the new Milwaukee Eight has these), and others.

On our bikes, these things strike me as the proverbial "answer to the question nobody asked". The stock tensioner works that well.

[SHAKY DAVE]

m6's in both bikes.over 100,000 on my street bike and the only thing that really pisses me off are springs breaking.have to check them either thru the fill hole or when i got the prlmary off.checked mine last week thru the fill hole and one of thems busted.i been gettin springs at the large hardware store up here in the mountains and ordering from hayden is hit and miss.other then that they work for me

[joe s]

Originally Posted by SHAKY DAVE

m6's in both bikes.over 100,000 on my street bike and the only thing that really pisses me off are springs breaking.have to check them either thru the fill hole or when i got the prlmary off.checked mine last week thru the fill hole and one of thems busted.i been gettin springs at the large hardware store up here in the mountains and ordering from hayden is hit and miss.other then that they work for me

Seems like they are more trouble than the stock tensioner.

[rokytnji]

No fancy gizmos on my primary chain adjusters. Stock. Only thing I do is change the pads. Ironhead and Evo.

[gotamotor]

Thanks guys, sounds like some like it and some dont care for it. Gonna put in a stock and try it out come before summer time

[rokytnji]

Static adjustment is a cinch. I have not mastered yet the zen of Pauls and others here laying on ground and adjusting by feel and sound yet though.

Here is wedge describing what I just posted

The way that is done is to ride the bike for about 20 minutes or so and get the primary up to temp. Then while the bike is on the sidestand you lay down next to it and adjust the chain. Back it off some in your case to begin with, then you turn the screw in until you start to hear a whining noise from the assembly. Back it off and the whine goes away, so play with it and leave it about 1/4 turn away from hearing even the faintest whine. I like this method, and it makes the bike feel better when downshifting with a well adjusted chain (little slop), but caution, it is easy to get it too tight, so even after you think it's OK, listen for a whining out of the primary as you ride. If you hear that, just back it off another 1/4 turn.

No covers were pulled causing oil leaks in the above quote.