Primary Chain Tensioner

Your 2009 has an automatic primary chain tensioner that shouldn't need inspection or adjustment. That being said, some people have had trouble with the auto tensioners ratcheting up too tight.
Mine in my 2012 Ultra seemed like it was on the tight side so I replaced it with a Hayden primary chain tensioner that works under spring pressure. So far it's worked well. I made a series of YouTube videos over time to document my experience with it so other people could see the results, good or bad. Here's a link to the first one if your interested. And no, I have no affiliation with Hayden. I'm just a guy that likes working on his own stuff.

https://youtu.be/JfxDzuX2_qM


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+1 on the OEM tensioners in 09s getting tight. Same thing happened on a neighbor's '09. He replaced it with a Hayden IIRC.

I will be doing my 1st inspection when I do my oil changes in the next couple of weeks, I have just over 36K on my 2007 Electra Glide Standard. This will be my first time opening the primary side up, is there anything else I need to look close at?

I run a manual adjuster in my 11. After the initial readjustment, it goes 10K miles before going back in.

At 5K miles I pull the derby and see how much slack it has by rotating the clutch basket.

Thermodyne said:

I run a manual adjuster in my 11. After the initial readjustment, it goes 10K miles before going back in.

At 5K miles I pull the derby and see how much slack it has by rotating the clutch basket.

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This :yes:

I also put in a manual tensioner like Therm mentioned in my 08. I wanted to use a Hayden; I have a hydraulic one in my 98 but I don't know if they make one for the newer bikes. I think they are only spring loaded like Skydude referred to. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I pulled the automatic tensioner out with 23k on the clock, replacing it with the SE Manual Tensioner. There was some wear on the automatic unit but it wasn't severe.
I like the manual adjuster and if you like a lot of noise from your primary, then the SE is the way to go. It sounds like marbles bouncing around in there.
Has anyone left one of those SE units in their bike long enough to see if the noise quiets down some?

Auto adjust works just fine. Once again riders that don't screw things up themselves put many miles on them trouble free.

smitty901 said:

Auto adjust works just fine. Once again riders that don't screw things up themselves put many miles on them trouble free.

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The adjuster maybe fine but I've they can put undue stress on clutch bearings. In any event, what was wrong with the manual adjustment? Really, I have 25000 on my bike and I have had to adjust it maybe 3 times, and that was just to be OCD. If it wasn't broken did it need to be "fixed"?

With my bike nearing 80.000 miles I was just curious, the shoe is a wear item.. The Primary tensioner being self adjusting and Harley putting a big period on it by taking away the inspection cover. I wonder if the old 88 outer Primary case would fit a 96? If I was to go with a manual tensioner that would be the way to go...