Hayden M6 Chain Tensioner INSTALL on a Harley Davidson M8 Softail

Part 3 is finally here!! The primary is complete and I can test out the new setup. What do you guys think about the M6? You think a different option would have been better? Let me know.......not that I'm gonna change anything lol, but I like to see what everyone's opinions are for this sort of stuff.
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[@thecomet1948]

I’ve used them in two of my bikes and installed in three others. We are all happier. Great setup.

[@RidinDad]

Thanks man. Been loving it for the past 2500 miles!

[@ridefitnation]

Excellent series. Im going to get Evolution clutch system as well and this video was excellent

[@RidinDad]

You’ll love it man! Thanks!! 👊🏻

[@ridefitnation]

@@RidinDad I will get the kit after I finish this build.

[@RidinDad]

Hell yeah man!

[@mkb3580]

I’ve got the same set up on my 15 street glide… That evolution clutch kicks ass I love it!… Good job brother looks just like my bike. Other than I got a street glide.

[@RidinDad]

Agreed. I love it! Thanks man! 👊🏻

[@robbyclark6915]

Thanks for the video. I’m ordering one for my ‘21 FXLRS pretty soon. I’ve heard some horror stories about that stock tensioner from Harley. Imagine that.

[@RidinDad]

Happy to help! And yup lol. Seems to be the typical now unfortunately

[@richardadams6821]

Good vid dude , will be doing same sort of install myself soon , darkhorse comp and rekluse auto clutch ( due to my arthritic hands) just waiting to take delivery of Hayden tensioner which I had to order from the USA as couldn’t find one here in the Uk.

[@RidinDad]

Gotchya. Good luck man. I think you’ll really enjoy the setup!

[@rollandklontz]

Cant wait for the ride report. I have been thinking about doing the same setup to get rid of my noisy ass compensator and I have heard to many reports of the stock adjusters ratcheting up to tight during spirited riding causing the shoe to break.

[@RidinDad]

I e been enjoying it a lot. Full review comin after my tail of the dragon trip!

[@Countryboybiker]

Souther Oregon Hot Bikes auto tensioner is amazing! I replaced a Baker attitude adjuster manual adjuster. I never had to make an adjustment with the Baker, but it was noisy as hell. I went with the Baker compensator over man o war, though.

[@RidinDad]

Heard good things about both of those products!

[@crawl994]

This is a great setup. I already have the darkhorse flywheel so might as well bulletproof the primary. Thanks for covering the install in detail. I will do the exact same setup but debating the 49 tooth sprocket vs 46 on the evolution clutch?

[@RidinDad]

Nice man. And I went stock teeth in mine because my chain kit already has taller gearing

[@BikesBeardsAndBrews]

I'm gonna need you to get me this set up and install it on my bike so I can test it for myself 😬

[@RidinDad]

Lol. I’ll install it but you gotta buy it!

[@bretthenson9447]

Great Informative Video thankyou , I will definitely Consider the Evolution Clutch pack but I will be Going Belt Drive primary Drive , But I will Suggest to you to get superior performance or of that engine , Upgrade you're Cool Pack to a 47,000 volt Coil and Install a set of 12mm NASCAR Spec Kevlar Braided Copper and Nickel Ignition Leads.

[@RidinDad]

Not needed man. And why are you doing belt drive for the primary???

[@FranBunnyFFXII]

I'm thinking about getting one of these for my Fat Boy 114, but the knock off version. There seems to be no difference in durability between the 2. The big thing though that people say these are good for is to preserve the crankshaft bearing. The stock tensioner can become real tight, and cause the crank bearing to be pulled on, which destroys it. This system solves that issue for good. I'm looking into building out my primary to handle stage 2 for a life time.

[@RidinDad]

If longevity is your goal I would personally never recommend the knock off version of anything for these bikes. Even as simple as a brake lever or a rear crash bar or something easy.

[@FranBunnyFFXII]

@@RidinDad My intent with the knock off was merely to test it out for an oil change cycle. And if it was nice, buy the Hayden one. Unfortunately the Hayden one does have a spotty history as well. It's usually the springs that fail. I was wondering if there's potentially a spring replacement that could work for it to prevent it from breaking. But I have yet to find many people try out this tensioner system and post about it.

[@RidinDad]

Interesting. I’ve heard tons of positive stuff for the hayden

[@RidinDad]

The hayden used in this video is an adjustable auto tensioner. Not manual

[@carlbruhn1772]

Southern Oregon Hotbikes makes a simple hydraulic adjuster. Fill it with primary oil, bolt in set with 1/8 inch lash and forget it. Money well spent

[@RidinDad]

Many builders specifically recommend NOT using hydraulic tensioners with the man o war

[@ironpug42]

I like the blue fuzz look lol

[@RidinDad]

Blue fuzz?

[@ironpug42]

yeah the blue paper towels you use in the cover bolts

[@RidinDad]

Ah I gotchya lol

[@SplitHairz]

Are you using the shop towels just to tighten up the fit of the bit into the fastener?

[@RidinDad]

No, I use them to protect the finish of the ARP bolts. The black ones have the finish taken off super easy from the sockets so I use the towel or tissue pieces to help protect the finish

[@seanmakesthings]

Hows the Hayden holding up?? The manual tensioner in my '96 sportster 1200 is a pain in the ass to adjust, finding the "tightest" spot is always a pain, so I'm looking to get one of the M6's for it.

[@RidinDad]

It’s been great! No complaints!

[@lio1999]

Are you planning for crankshaft upgrade when you go with big bore?

[@RidinDad]

Probably not honestly.

[@gonzalopalacio2653]

Hows the M6 holding up? How many miles on it? Thinking of adding one since I've heard the stock ones over tighten and are ticking time bombs!

[@RidinDad]

It’s doing great. 2k ish miles so far!

[@losetruth1622]

After changing the tensioner, why don't you make an abnormal noise from the primary?

[@RidinDad]

What exactly are you asking?

[@ScottSpeed95]

It sure looks like you have a lot less play under that shoe than 1/2 or 3/8. Looks more like an 1/8th once its installed? Was it too tight at first?

[@RidinDad]

It was not. It measured at exactly what I stated and it’s been a flawless setup for the past couple thousand miles

[@danthousand2138]

Did you change the tooth size on the clutch?

[@RidinDad]

No. Stock sizing. I specified that on the clutch video as I also talked about the reason for doing it. I have a chain kit with taller gearing

[@travismccarty515]

I've heard some bad things (they explode) about the m6 but my manual tensioner doesn't auto adjust it just stays put and it's great when the bike is quiet but once it's warm it's super noisy. I have the m6 now, putting it in this weekend. Oh forgot to mention it's going into a twin cam with a solid compensator sprocket (couldn't afford the man o war and I'm making too much power for anything else. So that's already a little noisy but I'm hoping this thing quiets things down I'll be more than happy if it does

[@RidinDad]

Mines still good man. I wouldn’t worry. They’re good products. And yeah it should help

[@stanwerner7484]

What was the Oil level?-- Same as stock? Thanks in advance

[@RidinDad]

Pretty much. Same concept where you check the level on the clutch plate

[@2kanchoo]

Ridin Dad bullet proof primary, it's the Ridin Dad bullet proof primary, yeah! lol

[@RidinDad]

😂😂🤙🏼

[@losetruth1622]

What is the size of the socket that removes the clutch side?

[@RidinDad]

Don’t remember off hand but my video on the clutch should tell you

[@losetruth1622]

Thank you very much😊

[@RidinDad]

👍🏻

[@tomjones4093]

I just ran across this video. I have the Darkhorse and the Hayden in my street glide. I'm not overly happy with the Hayden. You have to maintain the 1/2 inch chain tension or things will be a little wonky in your riding. It's hard to get that 1/2 requirement. I'm running both shims and it's still not enough. Mine is jerky, noisy and I'm really not overly happy with the set up. Talking to T-Man Performance, the Darkhorse is not a good fit with the Twin Cam unless you had the M8 counter sprocket low gear put into the transmission. I did not do that so most of my noise comes from the transmission. I hope you did a chain check because you didn't show it in your video, but you did mention the 1/2 inch. I'm taking my Darkhorse out and going back to the SE sprocket to stop all the obnoxious noise I can't stand to put up with.

[@RidinDad]

Yes of course I did a check for my chain tension

[@heybruh3274]

@Tom Jones So did you put the OEM tensioner back in ?

[@tomjones4093]

@@heybruh3274 ... I did not. What I did was order the M8 1st gear sprocket for my transmission, getting it put in next month. I also bought the Baker Attitude manual adjuster so I don't have to worry about the chain getting over tight. I've already had to replace my 6th gear bearing because of it. There will always be a little jerkiness at low RPM due to not having the sliding compensator but this should (I hope) fix the issues I'm having. It's been an expensive trial and error to get it all to work. I would have been nice if Darkhorse would have talked about all this in their videos. It could have saved a lot of time, trouble and money.

[@AZSemperFi]

What's up with the O'Reilly Type F? How's that Man O' War working so far? Any adverse effects yet? How about the Evolution Industries Clutch Pack? Any adverse effects?

[@RidinDad]

It all works perfectly still. No issues. Type f fluid was recommended for my setup and specifically oreillys from evolution industries

[@patrickhollis5332]

Lol they probably get a kick back from the big O you know how the system works

[@RidinDad]

It’s was not the only recommended oil to use. He said 3. 1 of which he preferred. Can’t remember the names. The third one was oreillys and he said it’s the most common used because they recommend it still and the price and availability is the best obviously. I doubt oreillys gives them a kickback. And I only know this due to the phone call I had with them. They don’t voluntarily display that brand anywhere

[@SplitHairz]

How in the heck is oil not covering your stator coils?

[@RidinDad]

It’s been cleaned very efficiently and allowed much time to drip and dry by the time of this video

[@ironpug42]

Check out the Vulcan Chain Tensioner its awesome.

[@RidinDad]

I’ll look in to it!

[@losetruth1622]

Excuse me. Please tell me the part number of the tower gasket.

[@RidinDad]

Don’t have it off hand. You can find it incredibly easy though

[@MilesOn2]

Nice install! Curious to see how long yours last. My buddy's didn't last one ride.

[@RidinDad]

Why?? Mines been on for a few hundred miles already

[@MilesOn2]

@@RidinDad It broke in pieces...quality? Design? The stock tensioner is one of the best in the game still.

[@RidinDad]

That’s not true though. Stock tensioner has been known to overtighten when in conjunction especially imply with the man o war. I’ve never heard of the hayden breaking. Sure it wasn’t installed incorrectly at all?

[@MilesOn2]

@@RidinDad Yeah I’m sure it was installed properly. There’s literally no possible way to mess up an install of the simplicity of that tensioner. I’m not putting the product down I’m just curious how long yours last or if you have issues. There’s about 15 people I know still running stock tensioners with over 40k miles with no issues on 140 plus TQ & HP motors.

[@RidinDad]

It’s not just a matter of how much horsepower and torque your engine is putting out, it’s a matter of how you are using it and how you ride obviously as well. And it’s not impossible at all to install it incorrectly. I didn’t mean necessarily that it was bolted in wrong but you do have to measure the tension and either put or take out the shims that are in there. So it’s possible it was either too loose or too tight, or the very small possibility that there was legitimately a bad part that he got some thing was not machine correctly which really sucks

[@Stevvros]

So does this mean you can go dumping the clutch and not worry about breakage? Asking because I do quite a few burnouts on mine 😉

[@RidinDad]

I’ve been dumping the clutch before I did this install. This setup means that this portion of the driveline is heavily beefed up. That means other spots are now the week points. Could be belt if you still have stock belt, could be transmission, could be primary chain etc. all different potentials

[@Stevvros]

@@RidinDad thanks mate I will be upgrading the compensator now that I’ve upgraded the engine just some insurance 👍

[@RidinDad]

Niiiice!

[@chrisbrutto9528]

I installed a manowar comp with the baker manual adjust tensioner. Should I switch to Hayden automatic?

[@Stevvros]

I’m thinking of changing the drive line to a cvt same as a scooter Far more superior

[@richs4573]

I have same set up,do you get noise coming from your clutch, since running the man of war

[@RidinDad]

I do not. No noise from primary

[@nickthinkpainting1978]

Yes and many many have . I tried on 2 different bikes. Took it out twice put stock back in. No issues

[@RidinDad]

I can’t speak for everybody. But most times the noise is due to tolerance issues from HD and it not being checked properly. Or the chain tensioner still being stock. Most times when the stock tensioner is replaced it. Lears up the noise. Most*

[@nickthinkpainting1978]

@@RidinDad to many had same problem its actually very well known issue at least here. And many independent shops no longer brag how great this upgrade is. All you said in your reply was checked and double checked .. if it works for you great . I would not install it again after 2 tries. I do enjoy your videos.

[@RidinDad]

Appreciate it man. I’ve heard it before unfortunately. I’m not saying you’re wrong in anyway. I obviously have good luck with it. I know many others who do too. But for some reason some people still have the noise. To my knowledge the noise isnt bad it’s just annoying to some

[@jstockwell73]

You may have come across this already, but here is a 7,000 mile checkup with the Hayden tensioner: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqK2pYuBeayXbZY

[@RidinDad]

Haven’t seen it. But just watched it. Good watch for sure. Glad to see no issues for him. Interesting about the single spring though p

[@jstockwell73]

@@RidinDad I watch your install series, and then KZbin puts every primary case video it can find in my feed! I’m up to my eyeballs in compensator and clutch pack replacement build videos now. 😂

[@RidinDad]

😂😂😂😂 it’s a sign to spend money!!

[@Ride_on54]

I’ve heard Baker make good gear in that department

[@RidinDad]

Yeah they do

[@d.sandell2555]

Dark Horse comp none better. Evolution Industries full clutch none better. I went with Baker manual adj because springs get tired..🤔

[@RidinDad]

Yeah good point. I was on the fence and went with the Hayden due to recommendations from moonshine HD

[@joshcampbell1212]

so where is video 4?????]

[@RidinDad]

It’s the video immediately after this. I did not included in this because I basically just buttons up the primary but it’s installing the clear Trask primary cover.

[@joshcampbell1212]

@@RidinDad oh ok

[@joshcampbell1212]

@@RidinDad I literally just bought everything in the series for my 22 street glide st. Matched up with a woods wm8-777XE cam

[@andrewvickers4487]

I'm no pro but like you I soak up as much info as I can. I dunno, I trust this guy the most and it just seems to me that a manual tensioner is the safer bet (avoids over ratcheting) especially in a performance build: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l52soZqFlJ1rkKs FYI he says he goes 15-20k before needing to adjust. Also how do you like the Darkhorse comp in terms of smoothness compared to stock?

[@RidinDad]

Baxter is a smart guys. And I’ve liked it a lot. No issues and feels about the same as stock honestly to me. Maybe shifts a little smoother but that’s it

[@andrewvickers4487]

@@RidinDad I appreciate it. I ask because brands and shops are pushing conflicting views and there's nothing like hearing it straight from end users. Keep em coming

[@RidinDad]

Yeah I hear ya. I’m very happy with mine and I would recommend it to everyone else just based on my user experience with it

[@tamayo991]

Hayden is currently not responding to phone calls or email. Out of business.

[@RidinDad]

Wow. That’s crazy :(

[@dennislizotte315]

They're junk, I had one and it was too tight and removed it. Tried contacting Hayden with no response, probably out of business. Get a Baker at least they have some support. Also I hate to tell you that this one looks to tight as well, the measurement has to be 3/8" from the lowest part of the shoe just beside the guide and you only have around 1/4".

[@RidinDad]

I explained exactky what the measurement should be for my specific setup and it is in those specs. You're the only operson I've heard saying hayden is junk. Moonshine HP even recommends them for their builds.

[@davidedging4930]

@@RidinDad I just put one in my bike and it seems too tight. I'm not having any luck getting a responce from hayden. When I shut bike off it has a lot of backlash

[@RidinDad]

Is it at its lowest setting and is the chain measurement in spec?

[@Rider_on_Indian]

I read on KZbin people have problems with Hayden...

[@RidinDad]

Ive yet to hear that issue on this setup. Some people also don’t adjust it correctly

[@donphillips5471]

I had to leave the music was terrible

[@RidinDad]

Noooooo…..I specifically picked this music because I thought Mr. Don Phillips 5471 would like it. You’re telling me, my judgment was off!? What the heck, back to the drawing board I guess :(

[@BigRedHouster]

Nobody recommends O’Reilly oil in your primary, and I mean nobody

[@RidinDad]

You sir are dead wrong. Why would I make that conversation up? Who would that benefit?? I spend several thousand on primary parts but want to save 5 bucks on oil so I make up a conversation I had? Even someone with a brain as smooth as yours could understand why that would make 0 sense. I appreciate the comment though, this conversation is very enjoyable

[@BigRedHouster]

@@RidinDad you literally said in the video Word for Word this is the recommended oil and I see in your hand a bottle of O’Reilly auto parts oil. Am I missing something?

[@RidinDad]

@@BigRedHouster you are correct, the O’Reillys ATF type F fluid is what is recommended for this primary. If you watched any of the other videos in the series, you would see that I talked about the fact that I was on a phone conversation with the guys from evolution industries, who personally recommended two different oils to me. One of those oil was the O’Reillys ATF type F. They require ATF type F to be run with their clutch in general and the O’Reillys was specifically given to me by name from the guys on the phone. That conversation is the conversation I was referring to. And I was saying that in response to the fact that you think nobody would recommend it, however, I just proved you wrong because you have no idea what you were talking about.

[@BigRedHouster]

@@RidinDad I will accept your apology along with the location of the O’reillys oil refinery, oh that’s right they don’t have one or it is right next to Walmart’s Tech oil Refinery.

[@RidinDad]

WTF is wrong with you guy. I'm not saying anything about who makes it where. I'm stating the Oreillys oil which is available at Oreillys. The only thing I'm sorry about is the fact that someone has to put up with your dumbassery on the regular. I hope you have no wife or kids because subjecting someone to this level of jackassness and stubbornness is pure torture. Go to an Oreillys, they have their own branded oil in various styles and viscosity. @@BigRedHouster

[@Avankaurparmar]

How u like the man o war people saw its loud how did u find it?? I want to do a similar upgrade in my m8 and I'm doing around a 150hp and 160 torque big bore build

[@RidinDad]

It never made noise for me. I loved it. Highly recommend