A better way to adjust the primary chain?

[XRorXB]

Well I've been turning wrenches since I was a kid, and I take pride in my work... which is why I found adjusting the primary chain on my Buell to be so frustrating. Maybe it's a lack of familiarity with Harleys and their quirks.

I followed the service manual to the best of my ability: measure the chain tension at several points, looking for the tightest chain position. After following this procedure, I could swear there's more noise coming from the primary case.

Question is, has anyone ever tried to adjust the tensioner while the engine is running? I would make the smallest adjustment of course, but basically let my ear be the guide. Is this blasphemy? Preposterous? Or would it work?

 

[RT Performance]

No i would not do it by ear.
Basically if its a xb remove window adjust to movement i use a wrench as a guide for the slack.
If its tighter it will rob hp

 

[TooFst]

And put excessive wear on like everything... Stop by a shop and just have one of the guys check it quick. I don't measure mine, just wiggle it and adjust it by "feel" and eye of course.. I thunk your overthinking it Xror... But at the same time I've sworn my XB and other bikes have sounded worse after adjustment.. ESPACIALLY the XB, after 8 years I still haven't gotten used the broken sewing-machine sound of this bike

 

[XRorXB]

For those of you that used a ruler to measure the free play, how much tension do you put on the chain to get the upper/lower bounds? At the lower end, do you just let gravity pull the chain, or do you tug down on it?

This will definitely bother me, but if you guys have experience otherwise that it will be ok, well, I will attend counseling sessions and group therapy until I'm good.

BTW, I do appreciate your input.

 

[EricZ]

I always jack up the rear wheel and rotate the motor while it is in 5th gear to check the primary chain tension. I use two fingers(mine which are not abnormally large or small) to lightly push up and down on the chain. I look for around 3/8" of total play in the tight spot of a cold chain. It will run and sound fine if the chain is just on the loose side but can cause premature bearing failures and shifting problems if on the tight side.

 

[XRorXB]

Thanks EricZ

 

[xtremelow]

2 in a Room

owners manual shows how much

 

[gunut75]

I was never able to adjust mine properly. I opened up the primary and found that the inner thrust washer behind the clutch pack was missing. Put that in there, and SHAZAM! Worked great. Take off the clutch inspection cover, grab the clutch adjustment screw and see if there is in-out movement (the whole clutch pack). If it moves more than .02-.03 in any direction, you may have the same problem. Just another scenario. Cheers!

 

[XRorXB]

2 in a Room

I have no idea what that means. [confused]

 

[Macbuell]

Just stop listening for weird noises on the bike. It makes too many. Mine has been sounding like it is about to explode for the last ~13,000 miles.

 

[xtremelow]

Wiggle it

 

[CBi]

I've adjusted my primary by sight, and fine-tuned it by sound while the bike was running.

Like others have said, a little loose is better than tight. If you hear a whining, siren like sound on decel, it's a little too tight. When it's too loose, shifting suffers.

XB motors make a lot of racket. Learning the "ok" sounds from the "bad" sounds definitely takes a little time. Old school HD mechanics are pros in this department.

 

[jimijeans]

Check out the Manuals here on the Forum and it is easy to do. Sometimes a picture helps if needed, and the Manuals here on the forum will provide that. Just take your time. You will need if you are riding an XB bike- 1/torx wrench(27) and a Cresent or combination open end box end wrench. and a 1/4 allen wrench.
Under the botton of the Transmission (Primary)cover by the kick stand the large nut loosen up maybe 3/4 of a turn counterclockwise the allen hex up in the Chain Tensioner 1/4 is usally the size of the allen turn the allen a [small amount] clockwise to tighten the chain.Just remove the 2/torx screws where the inspection cover for the chain is.
Reverse in order to loosen the chain.
Never overtighten the Primary Chain. Make sure to use your finger with the KEY out of the Ign., switch push up and let the chain come down push it up several times and watch the play. The chain is easier for most to adjust when cold.
the chain needs 3/8 of play up and down movement to be correct.
Don't overtighten the Tensioner lock Nut under the Transmissions cover is aluminum so just snug it tight and you will Have to hold the allen wrench still while Snuging the Nut or your adjustment will change so watch the chain and relpace the 2/hole cover and gasket After completing your work.
Good luck and check out those Manuals here on the Forum on the XB lines of Motorcycles the Transmission is pretty much the same in that area. *Jimi

 

[XRorXB]

I purchased the service and diags manual before even getting the bike But the instructions weren't detailed enough for me.

I'm good now. Thanks for the input everyone.