DOC HARLEY: PRIMARY CHAIN ADJUSTER UPDATES

Doc Harley from the Service Clinic at Low Country Harley-Davidson to help you with the health of your motorcycle! This week he talks about inner primary adjusting mechanisms and how they've evolved.
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Doc Harley is a motorcycle technician at Low Country Harley-Davidson with over thirty years working on motorcycles. Over the years at the dealership he has worked on Harley-Davidson, Buell, and Triumph motorcycles with a few other brands here and there from trade-ins. There are thousands of how-to videos out on KZbin and other websites across the world. Doc’s goal is to help solve problems that people run into when using their service manual, share insights only found as a certified Harley® technician, and some of the tips he’s picked up over the years.
Wondering if Doc is real? Find out what’s happening throughout the week: / docharleylchd
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Looking to meet Doc and the other members of the LCHD team? Visit us at:
Low Country Harley-Davidson
4707 Dorchester Road
Charleston, SC 29405

[@Peter-976]

Excellent tip about the flashlight and screwdriver because everyone gets a little throttle happy once in a while.

[@paulbouverette503]

I threw my stock 2010 Street Glide auto tensioner in the garbage where it belongs. My chain was way too tight and the primary was wining big time (bike only has 3,700 miles. I installed a hydraulic SO Hot Bikes HB125-07 Primary Chain Tensioner for Big Twins and wow what a difference. No more wining and the bike shifts and drives amazing now.

[@heybruh3274]

So Doc mentions the Achilles heel being the fact that the design doesn't do well when "your motor makes more horsepower than the factory design". YET, this same design has been used in several interations of motors each with different horsepower. So either it can or it can't handle the horsepower whether it's a Stage 2 103 or a 107, or a 114.

[@daviddunn5264]

Thanks doc ... history, mechanics, part numbers, you hit on all of it. Much appreciated

[@gdubbsmotolife9713]

This is the only part on my 06 Dyna that I consistently worry about. Going to the Southern Oregon Hot Bikes unit next time I crack open the primary. They are local to me and I've heard great things.

[@timothyupleger7007]

Thanks for the info on this auto primary chain adjuster. I've used the screwdriver trick many times. Although I agree snapping the throttle will tighten the primary chain with this adjuster, I also found out that pulling a long mountain grade will also cause a tight chain. One of the best things I ever did to my 2007 FLHTCU was to install a Braker Drivetrain compensator and the manual Attitude primary chain adjuster. It eliminates the false over-tightening once and for all, along with smoothing out the dreaded primary chain snatch at startup.

[@dougfresh1341]

Thanks for the video! Your time and effort is appreciated.

[@robdries7612]

Thank you so much for this video. This helped me understand my primary so much better. And put my mind at ease about worrying if it needed adjustment or not.

[@Jasonracer]

Thanks Doc! I had a 2004 Fatboy as my first Harley and I learnt a lot on that bike as far as maintaining a Harley and I would regularly check my primary chain tension, when doing oil changes ect. But I sold that bike a few months back and I bought myself a much lower kms Fatboy this time a 2009 model. When I did my first oil change and service on the new bike I noticed there was no inspection plate on the primary side like my 04. Now I know why! Thanks again Doc, and keep the videos coming. I have learnt so much and gained so much more confidence from watching your videos. Jason. Queensland Australia 🇦🇺

[@GJM866]

Great information! I used aftermarket hydraulic chain tensioners on both of my Evo primary chains and was totally happy with the results. Did my research, then purchased them from Southern Oregon Hot Bikes part

[@RTOutdoors]

I love hearing that a young man bought that Road King. 👍

[@robertsmall6076]

Have an 06 softail has the manual chain tension easy to check 🤙🇺🇸

[@danchristopher7957]

Thanks Doc... you always break it down... so even us carpenters can understand.

[@jeffreyengle2762]

2019 Road King….. main shaft bearings on the trans toasted and trans had to be completely rebuilt due to that stock adjuster. Pulled the stock adjuster and installed a new baker attitude adjuster….problem solved.

[@truckrsteve3198]

Thanks for the video. I appreciate you for taking the time to make these videos for us. I'm working on my 2012 Heritage and this is definitely helpful.

[@chadb5009]

Didnt really cross my mind but i love learning all i can from one of the best HD techs out there.

[@santorsa]

This is the best explanation I have seen !!! 10 PLUS !!!!

[@johnrussell3196]

Brilliant. Thanks for the instruction Doc.

[@IrvingtonArms]

My stock 96 broke the tranny main shaft with this auto chain tightener in my first 20K. When I had to have the transmission repaired a second time I took it out and put in a manual adjuster. This is not a hot rod, just a commuter.

[@tat2dchris1]

Always great content, informative, and to the point.