Hydraulic tensioner

[Highmiles]

Because I'm a lazy bastage, I am thinking of installing one of the new hydraulic primary chain tensioners. Anyone have experience with the factory vs aftermarket tensioners? Will it quiet a noisy chain?

[dynageno]

I heard the HD ones are shit! Look for posts here and the other place and read up!

[duhast]

I debated using a hydro one or spring. Went with the spring Hayden M6, figured a spring has less to go wrong than a hydro setup. Pretty simple and seems to work fine.

[jasilva]

I've got the HB125. Works great as long as you follow the instructions and set the preload exactly as described. Once it's set it's great, no whine, no chain slap, smoother shifts.


Joe

[thrasher]

I debated installing one, but in the end decided not to.

Do you use engine breaking in the mountains, perhaps on the downhill twisties? I do. This can cause all the slack in the chain to go to the bottom and the chain tensioner to pump up (or rachet up) and get too tight on the chain,... thus cutting big grooves in the shoe and being hard on the bearings.

[16X9 Shooter]

Have HD tensioner. Don't like it - makes noise like a loose belt on a car. Took it to a couple tech people...they say "it is fine, they all sound like that."

I may go back to original.

[dwarthog]

Originally Posted by jasilva

I've got the HB125. Works great as long as you follow the instructions and set the preload exactly as described. Once it's set it's great, no whine, no chain slap, smoother shifts.


Joe

Agreed. Put one in the Road Glide. Got no complaints.

[jasilva]

Originally Posted by thrasher

I debated installing one, but in the end decided not to.

Do you use engine breaking in the mountains, perhaps on the downhill twisties? I do. This can cause all the slack in the chain to go to the bottom and the chain tensioner to pump up (or rachet up) and get too tight on the chain,... thus cutting big grooves in the shoe and being hard on the bearings.

The HB125 doesn't work this way. It's got a fixed amount of travel and once you set the initial preload it stays within the range. It's not a true set it and forget it type adjuster. It still has to be checked but not quite as often since the hydraulic dampner minimizes chain snap. It's more to smooth out the ride than eliminate adjusting your primary chain.



Joe

[Highmiles]

H-D one is out, right now I'm leaning toward the M-6. I've heard a few complaints on the HB 125 having adjustment problems. Still haven't decided.

[LittleBear]

OEM manual adjust tensioner. Has worked for years, less parts to fail, easy to inspect/adjust every oil change. What could be simpler.

I know an "07 without an inspection cover. Don't trust it. But I do not trust electronic speedometers or EFI either.

[Highmiles]

Originally Posted by LittleBear

OEM manual adjust tensioner. Has worked for years, less parts to fail, easy to inspect/adjust every oil change. What could be simpler.

I know an "07 without an inspection cover. Don't trust it. But I do not trust electronic speedometers or EFI either.

I think any of these have to be checked periodically, but I want my primary quieter/smoother.

[Berserker]

Originally Posted by Highmiles

I think any of these have to be checked periodically, but I want my primary quieter/smoother.

What noise can you hear/ Seriosuly, some people say smother shifting, easier to find neutral, but have never had some one mention noise. Never heard any mention noise of primary in general.

I got a HB125. I though spring was more likey to brake, and out dated. Had primary on my kitchen table for over a month. Put in back on. And the damn philips screw started to round. so need to wait until next time primary is off. Then decide if Iwant it.

[Geezer-Glide]

Just put the HB125 on mine. Easy to setup, and it shifts fine. I had the Harley auto tensioner on when they first came out, took it off because it was too tight. My stealer told me then that they either work fine or go tight, no in between. The 125 is quiet, and easy to setup. Worked well with the 5 speed, and works fine with the Baker DD6 I just put in.