Harley Davidson Pan America chain maintenance, Part 2

How to check and adjust the chain slack on a Harley Davidson Pan America. I also share how I verify rear axle alignment.
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[@jonp3819]

think you do a great job . i use a snap gauge to set mine the axle tube on my bike has a 16.8 mm hole on one side 14.8 on the other just curious if yours is same did you check id of hole before measuring to flat steel?

[@MikesMotorbikeChannel]

You are correct, I just checked and yes, measuring to the inside on the axle is NOT going to give an accurate measurement for wheel alignment. The axle tube will, but my calipers would not fit it that area. In my case, I’ve since double checked and adjusted my axel using other measurement points, but yes, the method I showed in this video is NOT going to work. Guess I need to make a new video.

[@jonp3819]

@@MikesMotorbikeChannel i use a snap gauge and then measure with calipers. the OD of the adjusters is identical but i have machining tools in my shop. since i machine parts for people that's the best i came up with for now. videos are good keep them coming.

[@ToadADVentures]

Honestly if I ever need todo something to my pan I always check out your channel first before anywhere else 🤙 keep up the awesome work very helpful videos

[@saschafelix6561]

I enjoy so much watching your videos. Very empathetic and without any drama! Me as a guy from Switzerland couldn’t be happier getting the infos I‘m looking for. Thank you very much! Sascha

[@sandfly719]

thanks Mike.

[@joshuawaters151]

I get so concentrated on your videos I forget to press the like button. I’ll go back and fix it lol

[@bensmy4160]

having just bought a Pan Am, I now own my first chain drive. Everything else I've owned has been belt drive Harleys or shaft drive BMW. This was one of my key areas for trying to learn. Thank you.

[@johnsinico9970]

I really like your detailed video, I really appreciate the, to the point information without a lot of unnecessary stupid talk or trying to be comical. Just straight to the point information with no Time waisted. Absolutely perfect. Thank you.

[@MikesMotorbikeChannel]

Thanks, but I’m guessing you either haven’t seen or don’t like my newer videos as much. These aren’t the most exciting topics so trying to find the balance of presenting information with a little humor to lighten the mood without going over the top. I do try and get right to the point which is why you will never see a 10 second long intro montage or me wasting your time begging viewers to like and subscribe.

[@johnsinico9970]

@@MikesMotorbikeChannel yes I just watched two videos cuz I just bought a 2022 P.A. special, I'm sure now that I've stumbled onto your videos I'll be watching more but yes I like your approach from what I've seen so far. Thanks again, John

[@wilsonsbbq231]

Thanks perfekt. Greetings from Frankfurt Germany. I get this Harley in Feb. 2023 🙂

[@dougatkins7316]

Excellent tip using the measuring tape and tape to set the parameters for chain slack. Keep up the good work.

[@44lespumas]

Pleased I came across this channel. I really like it. Very useful and after more than 40 years of riding I've still still learned a thing or two. I discovered - and bought - those weird 360 twisty brushes that I had never seen before. And cleaning has never been easier. That's a big thumbs up. I have a 2021 PanAm and after 20 years of classic Harleys I'm back to chains again and forgot some of the basics. I've never gone to the length of measuring the alignment with an accurate measuring tool either. More sort of - by eye !

[@brudes1849]

Fantastic, such a usefull and clear video, thanks 😀

[@jenspetterjrgensen1335]

Hi and thanks for all the great videos you make, when I'm unsure about something I always look through to learn a bit. Just changed front and rear tires. I thought it was a little difficult to get the rear axle straight, but I got there in the end. Surely Harley-Davidson must have some special tool for this? Tried to Google but can't find anything, do you know of anything? Love my Pan America. Jens Petter Jørgensen/ Norway

[@MikesMotorbikeChannel]

No special tool that I’m aware of, just measure between the flat surface and the surface of the adjuster.

[@adriantkubica]

I was looking for the torque specs,, 95-105 ft-lb for the rear axle... thank you!!!

[@LeonardoMirandaNunes]

The bike comes with the tool to do exactly what you dod with the tape.

[@jasonlcko]

Which tool?

[@mattgolding7557]

Great channel….i keep revisiting your vids again and again…..any chance that when you eventually have to replace the chain and sprockets that you make a new vlog?

[@MikesMotorbikeChannel]

My chain is still going strong but will definitely film it when it’s time to replace.

[@billdaggett7911]

Your measuring tape has marks for measuring right on the tape. 50mm = 2 inches. 60mm = 2 3/8 inches. 👍

[@mattgolding7557]

Hi from the uk Mike!….it would be so useful to me if you were to demonstrate how to use the chain slack indicator tool supplied as standard in the toolkit, as no one seems to be able to do this(which includes the hd dealer I bought the bike from brand new…any chances please ?

[@MikesMotorbikeChannel]

It’s useless in my opinion. I’ve yet to figure out any way to use that tool to accurately check and set the chain slack.

[@nickbaker2268]

Hey Mike, love the two chain maintenance videos! Do you have one on removing the front sprocket cover and cleaning under there? Happen to know what size star bit I need to remove the cover?

[@MikesMotorbikeChannel]

No video for that, but it’s a t30. There are 3 of them holding the cover on.

[@nickbaker2268]

@@MikesMotorbikeChannel Thanks Mike, I appreciate it!

[@ReemoPL]

Hi Mike, thank you for such a good guide :) tell me, how many kilometers do you adjust the chain?

[@MikesMotorbikeChannel]

About every 965 kilometers

[@MikesMotorbikeChannel]

Sorry, that is cleaning. Adjusting is just as needed.

[@BGPD70]

Can you tell me if you are getting your torque values from a manual and if it is from a service manual, where did you buy the manual from??

[@MikesMotorbikeChannel]

I have a subscription to serviceinfo.harley-davidson.com/ $60 a year. I got this before the printed service manuals were available from the dealers.

[@rendsmoimonbose3257]

Thanks for the video! Forgive me if I am wrong, but aren't you underestimating your chain slack with this method? 1) the chain is not parallel to the ground, shouldn't the tape measure be perpendicular to the chain? 2) Although there isn't a ton of additional slack when pressing down, you seem to be only measuring the slack when pulling the chain up, I do notice ~5mm of additional slack when pulling down on mine

[@MikesMotorbikeChannel]

You make a good point, and usually when I'm checking I hold my tape measure at an angle to account for that but I didn't really do that when I was filming this. As for pushing down, the service manual does indeed say to lift and push down on the chain. The transmission should be in neutral, but you also want to make sure you are not allowing the rear wheel / sprocket to move at all while you do this so that it does not throw off the measurement. I'll have to double check, but I don't think on mine it would give more than a couple mm though. Good catch.. maybe I need to make a new video while paying closer attention to detail. :)

[@MikesMotorbikeChannel]

UPDATE: So I went out and took a quick measurement with my tape measure perpendicular to the ground vs with the chain, and my measurement was off by about 4mm, meaning my chain was 4mm tighter than what I actually measured if I don't hold the tape measure perpendicular to the chain. In my case I adjust to the looser side of the spec anyway, so not a big deal. But you are correct in that it does throw off the measurement that way. Good point. pulling down on my chain only gives me an extra 3mm of measured slack.. still, attention to detail.. that is the proper way to do it.

[@Dnewman3402-6]

How long does the chain on the Pan America last if it properly maintained?

[@MikesMotorbikeChannel]

I have 14k miles now and chain is still well within spec. But I also ride pretty conservative. If your front wheel spends time in the air, you will wear the chain out faster 😆

[@christiandettmer2561]

I only use a 36 socket with an extension and a 1/2" wrench to adjust. 20 years as a tech, but what I know, right?

[@stevenhaettich6757]

Sell that junk full of issues