At this link =>> https://www.hdforums.com/how-tos/a/h...0-miles-413989

Under "Step 4 – Follow recommended maintenance" it says

For example, your Harley Davidson Touring model is equipped with a primary chain tensioner that should be inspected and replaced by 25,000 miles.

Is this a typo?

Not looking for opinions on different aftermarket primary chain tensioners....but I have never heard this before and have not seen this in my 2012 Ultra Classic manual.

Did the author intend to say cam chain tensioners in older bikes?

This article was written last December 2015.

 

First that I've ever heard of the replacement by 25,000 miles.

Mike

 

My 09 still had the original primary chain tensioners when they were replaced with the compensator last summer at 97,000 miles.

 

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I think you or someone else misunderstood what HD said/meant,if i am not mistaken it should say something like " check" primary & or cam chain tensioners and " replace if required ".

But if someone said that in general (not coming an actual HD Factory Srv'c Manual ) about todays HD's needing prim chain tensioner repl @ 25k miles they are incorrect,end of story on that.

The hand/operating manual that came with my 09 new and HD factory srv'c both state nothing about any required prim chain replacement @ 25k miles.

The original stock prim chain tensioner on my 09 96" had just about no wear on it at all when i checked it @ approx 19k miles when i recently had to replace the outer prim cover gasket.

HD rec's 10k mile prim case oil change which is too long IMHO,i dont go over 5k miles so change at same time i change motor oil & filter and the prim case oil looks dirty at 5k miles with plenty of crap on drain plug too.

HD also rec's 20k mile for trans oil change which i do @ 10k miles max or 1ry,which ever comes 1st,its easy to do and cheap too so why not.

Its simple,cleaner oil means less wear resulting in a longer rvc life & that go's for the motor/prim case/trans.

But your correct that older TC motors (think 2006 & older) had the worst issues with cam chain tensioners going belly up which in some cases took the motor out at the same time due to pieces of the cam chain tensioners getting into the motors oiling system trashing the motor in the process.

2007 & up/newer got the re-design/newer cam chain tensioners that do a better job lasting longer,but the prim chain tensioner can in some cases still go bad prematurely (over tightens prim chain in some cases) causing IPB failure.

scott

 

^^^^This^^^^

 

Ok, this is not about the merits of any different aftermarket tensioner, but in my limited opinion, the stock auto-tensioner should be replaced out of the box. I believe it is a big contributor to many drive train problems including infamous compensator issues. When I had to get my transmission rebuilt (seal leak on main gear near output-not the seal you can access from outside) and had the compensator go south, I replaced the auto-tensioner with a manual one (never had these issues in years before the auto-tensioner... or 45k since this replacement)

 

Thanks. My reference was in regard to the article at that link. The article was written by Daniel Robey - December 29, 2015 (as it states at the top of that page). I have never read anywhere that a p-tensioner needs replacement at 25k, in a manual or otherwise.

 

Thanks. I'd replace when/if I ever had to pull the outer primary...until then, I'd rather leave alone if I am able!

 

+1 .... My automatic tensioner took out my IPB, Clutch Bearing, Trans needle bearing and trans main shaft. Compensator is fine with 42K

It seems the primary tensioner was the hot topic yrs ago and around 09 on up the topic changed to compensators. Eventually I read up on the tensioner issue after searching.

Now I have the Baker manual tensioner and a 7 spd tranny. All is better.
SC

 

I read it on the Internet, so it must be true
My first thought is that the person writing the article might have been referring to the cam chain tensioners as was also mentioned in a post above.