Here's a great tool for adjusting those primary chains.

You can get one here Harley (http://www.liot.ca/Primary_Gauge.htm)

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s45/bills985/Primary_Gauge2.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s45/bills985/Primary_Gauge1.jpg

That's pretty neat.

Related question: Are the self-tensioning devices effective? I've seen a few advertised, but haven't seen any reviews or commentary.

Out of them all, I prefer the HB125 and the reason being that it has a hydraulic dampening that uses the oil in the primary besides the spring tension. The Hayden M6 is just spring tension.

Custom Bikes and Service from Southern Oregon Hot Bikes (http://www.sohotbikes.com/)

Out of them all, I prefer the HB125 and the reason being that it has a hydraulic dampening that uses the oil in the primary besides the spring tension. The Hayden M6 is just spring tension.

Custom Bikes and Service from Southern Oregon Hot Bikes (http://www.sohotbikes.com/)Glider...Do you use this product ? Looks interresting...but on the site I never seen a price...Thanks for any info ya can pass on.

Sorry for the edit, hit the wrong key.


I've installed them on a few bikes and they usually cost about $95 - $110 for the unit depending on where you buy from.

J&P cycles has them I believe.

Also Fog hollow is about the best price around.

http://www.foghollow.com/cgi-bin/catalog_new.pl?fid=1013106946&query=Category%3D%26Description%3Dtensioner%26Part No%3D%26pagenum%3D1%26cgifunction%3DSearch%26submi t%3DSearch&cgifunction=form

I've installed them on a few bikes and they usually cost about $95 - $110 for the unit depending on where you buy from.

J&P cycles has them I believe.

Also Fog hollow is about the best price

Thank you Sir for the quick response....as always I value your opinion.....:D

So, bottom line, do they work and are they worth the price? Or should we stick with periodic manual adjustments?

Sharky

My honest opinion is if it's not broke, don't fix it. The HB125 however is a good unit.

The primary chain once broken in with some miles will require little adjustment once the initial stretch and wear in is accomplished and it's a simple part that very rarely goes bad. Aside from wear on the shoe and an occasional check and/or adjust, it's a simple part that is tried and true.

Leave the stock one IMO.

I only change them if someone wants one installed and is set on having it in the primary. The difference with the HB125 is barely noticeable but some will swear that it made a huge difference in their bike. The major difference is from a poorly adjusted stock tensioner and the addition of the HB125 or any other that will remove the slack in the chain making the difference noticable.

Thanks, glider. After the 1000 mile tune, it shifted much better and quieter (I'm assuming because of the tension adjustment.) I'll see how it goes after I can put some miles on in the spring. (When I'm not installing all the chrome that is piling up in my basement.)