I remember seeing reports about the ratchet-type tensioners making the primary chain run too tight. Didn't the MOCO go to some kind of hydraulic tensioner that eliminated this issue, or did I just imagine that?

 

Primary chain is ratchet, cam chain is hydraulic.
I do not believe it make the chain to tight. JMO.

 

from what I have heard this can happen if you lug your bike at lower RPMs and cause the chain to slap. JMO

 

It can happen when running thorugh the gears really fast and speed shifting. The chain can slack for a second and the ratchet will move up a notch and that can make the chain too tight. It happened to me....I switched to a Hayden automatic chain tensioner and haven't had the problem since.

 

Good info. Thanks everybody!

 

A good friend is a tech at a large local dealer, he says that the ratcheting tensioners teeth are too small, and can ratchet up too easy, and with the longer trans shaft , that is a disaster waiting to happen.
He told me he replaces an inner primary bearing at least 3 times a week on the newer bikes.

 

As already mentioned, the new bikes come with the ratchet type.

I've found that, in addition to the chain becoming too tight at times, the small teeth on the ramps also seem to allow the adjuster to back down causing too much slack. That will result in the chain bouncing not only up and down but side to side too and wearing out very early.

Like many others, I replaced my stock tensioner with a Hayden.

 

I eliminated all of this completely and went backwards. I installed a Baker Attitude adjuster and now its cool. None of the auto adjusters seems to hold up well once a bit of heat is applied. (BIG blocks and hi HP engines.)

Hey FU, post a pic of the ashtray listed in your sig line.

 

So, does anybody make a primary cover for the '12's-'13's with the old fashioned inspection plate to get to the Baker Tensioner to check/adjust it? Or do the older pri. covers with the removable insp. plate fit?

Also, thanks again to everybody for all the continuing useful info.

 

I had to shorten up the name for enough text space on the signature.....Tripple tree fork wind deflector.