I am sooooo confused!! Harley Twin Cam Discuss I am sooooo confused!! in the Motorcycles forums; I own a 2007 Softail Custom with the 96cu in engine. I was told that Harley fixed the problem of the wearing timing chain tensioner in this motor, yet when ...

[pksplc3849]

I own a 2007 Softail Custom with the 96cu in engine. I was told that Harley fixed the problem of the wearing timing chain tensioner in this motor, yet when I look at my service manual it looks like it is still there although it is a hydraulic unit instead of a spring loaded tensioner. Do I still have to worry about it going bad in a short period of time? What are your thoughts?
Steve

The cam drive system up until 06 Dyna and 07 for the rest employed a silent chain (quite a lot like timing chains used in cars) which worked OK except that the backside of the chain is kind of rough for a tensioner to be riding against. Therein lies the problem, it tends to abrade tensioner shoes rapidly. The redesign uses a roller chain similar to bicycle chain ( or for us old timers, a smaller version of what used to drive the back wheel of a Harley) . The new bikes also have hydraulically actuated tensioners. Whether this solves the problem by allowing the tensioner shoes to last a very long time or not only time and miles will tell. Sincerely: Shovelmike.

[pksplc3849]

You made me feel better about the tensioner.

I spoke to my HD service technician who is also a friend of mine (20 years). I wanted to put in one of the new automatic primary tension adjusters in my 04 FLSTF. I could tell by the look on his face that this was not a good idea and he explained the following to me: The auto adjustment only tightens, it will never loosen up, OK that’s great but here’s the rub. The automatic primary tension adjuster can ratchet up all by itself, by just bumping the bike (curb, pothole, just about anything that will cause a jolt to the system). The chain will travel up and the automatic tension adjuster will go with it until you have an over-tension situation. This will be evident by a whirring noise (High Pitch) coming from your primary. The only way to remedy the situation is to remove the outer primary cover, remove the auto tension adjuster reset the device and re-install. He told me HD is aware of the issue and is looking at a fix. I will leave well enough alone until then.

[Phild]

Hayden M6 tensioner. I have it in my bike & we recommend them to our customers. Excellent product.

[michael ( D-rod ) dennis]

How in the world did you guys jump from cam chains to primary chains
D-Rod

[94flhtcu]

I have been waiting to see who caught it and called it... good job d-rod!