Automatic primary chain tensioner

Choco
4 years ago

G'day all. About 6 months ago I sold my Evo Heritage and bought a 2007 twin cam Heritage. Now still learning about twin cams but now hearing about this automatic primary chain tensioner from 2007 to 2011 models that can over tight the primary chain with it's ratchet design tensioner causing some expensive damage to bearings and other components in the primary. So the question I ask has this ever happened to any members here or some one they know or am I just hitting the panic button to much. Of course I read many stories on the net about the doom and gloom about these tensioners but also read just as many stories how well the stock tensioners work on many high mileage bikes and never had any trouble. To say I am confused would be a understatement cheers.

Grease Monkey
4 years ago

Choco, the early auto tensioner that came out in the 06 dynas have been known to fail, the newer version is stronger and works pretty good, yeah that over tensioning scenario can occur, but in most cases I've heard of the bike was ridden like it was stolen, hard revs and throttle chops being the main culprit from what I understand, causes the chain to flex and go slack over the tensioner and it can ramp up, the best fix is to drill it and put a bolt in it if that's something you are prone to doing but myself personally have never had a problem with them, not saying it don't happen but it's not as common as the internet would have you believe.

Choco
4 years ago

Ok thank you for your reply. Yep the internet can be a scary place sometimes if we believe everything we read cheers.

Choco
4 years ago

Yes I think I was just hitting the panic button a bit about the automatic primary chain tensioner watching to much YouTube. Thousands of Harley's riding around for years and years with the standard automatic tensioner fitted and no problems. And yes there are a few that have had issues but it usually seems there bikes have been modified to make a lot more power and ridden hard by the owners. Well I ride my bike like a Grandpa (because I am one) plus the only work down to my bike is a stage 1 upgrade. So I shouldn't worry about this automatic primary chain tensioner giving me any grief.