I decided to replace my stock chain tensioner on my 2012 Ultra with the Hayden BT07. I've read posts on this and other forums regarding the BT07. Most people seem to like them although a few have had problems with the chain being too tight or it making unusual noises. Those problems seem to be with earlier versions that have longer springs. I measured the springs that came in my kit and they are the newer shorter springs. I don't remember what the new and old measurements are. I found them in an older thread and checked the spring length a couple months ago when I received the kit in the mail. I made a video showing my impressions of the tensioner upon install. Here it is.


I'll post my impressions of it after I run it a few hundred miles later this spring.

 

That play you have now at "cold" seems OK but as the temperatures increase the chain will tighten up. Granted you'll wear a grove into the shoe to compensate but that's going to take some miles.

How comfortable are you waiting for the grove to be worn in?

 

I'm ok with it. The free play falls within the specs for a cold engine and there is still more room to compress the spring if need be. It's no different that having the spring ride over a rigid shoe with 5/8" to 7/8" free play. In either case the chain will tighten up when the engine is hot. With the Hayden, the spring will still have room to compress and give the chain more slack if need be.

 

I was alright with the tension when I was running it, it was the plastic fragments in my primary oil that made me take it out.

 

I would never put one of them in my bike again. Keep a close eye on it as you go. All I can say is best of luck.

 

Gonna give it a shot.

 

My clutch started slipping becuase of all the melted plastic on the frictions, free play was within spec and I had about 7k miles on it. Pulled it when I replaced the clutch

 

all i can say is, baker attitude.

 

never mind I read your follow up post thank you...

 

OP, can you figure out the effort/force needed to fully collapse the shoe using both thumbs ?

I set mine to reach a maximum of 25lbs as the shoe touches the support. The chain runs under very little load (like on a fixed shoe) and gets a bit more play under effort.