| Author | Message | ||
     Grand |
Check my primary chain a couple of weeks ago, didn't need adjusting. Gearbox still clunks into 1st ( it snapped belt 1st week I had the Uly going in to 1st gear) so did a search on here and see its recommended to have 3/4" slack. I've just noticed that the slack in primary chain is less when on side stand than when upright. In fact I noticed that as I keep my bike propped against a wall, as if side stand was on right, its even slacker than upright then. Should I just adjust when on side stand rather than uptight such as on a paddock stand? Anybody explain what is causing it? cheers  | ||
| Hughlysses |
The position of the bike should have a negligible effect. You are supposed to push the chain down, then up, and measure the complete distance of that deflection. You need to push fairly hard. Rotate the engine a few degrees, and repeat the measurement. Do that several times and adjust the tension so that it meets spec at the tightest spot. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Remember also that it gets tighter when the engine heats up. Aluminum expands more than steel. Best to err on the side of loose. | ||
| Grand |
I have had it on previous bikes that a hard push on chain will make it a bit slacker, and stay that way, not on this though, still tight even after much pressure. Cold engine too. Reckon its always been too tight since I bought bike. Will loosen it to 1/2" which will probably be about 3/4' when upright. It feels quite unusual to sit on bike, lean over and have finger on chain and feel it tighten up as it goes on to side stand. It feels as if when the weight transfers to side stand and forks rise the chain tightens. Confuses me anyway. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
That shouldn't happen. It sounds like something is wrong with your tranny bearings. I would suggest getting the belt off and seeing if your sprocket can wobble. Granted, I have never tried sitting on any H-D related bike when playing with the primary but the shafts should not be able to move in there. I would strongly suggest not riding it until you figure this out. | ||
| Grand |
Loosened it quite a lot, maybe too much as chain is definitely a bit rattley now when stationary at tickover. Although 1st gear is less clunky. Will let it cool down and give it another check. Not the easiest of chains to check, can't get your finger over the top to push down, and can't measure easily as chain goes up past inspection cover. | ||
| Grand |
"I would strongly suggest not riding it until you figure this out." As I'm off to Spain in 2 weeks I'm paranoid about taking it apart and not getting it roadworthy in time. Think I'm going to err on the side of "hope for the best". And rely on breakdown cover if it all goes tits up. Changed rear tyre last week, gearbox sprocket felt ok. Fingers crossed While I'm being paranoid..... ( see new post) | ||
| Hughlysses |
Will let it cool down and give it another check. You can check it cold or hot; the specs are different depending on the temp. It's not a bad idea to set it cold and then check it hot. You can use the tip of a screwdriver to move the chain if you can't get your finger in there (and to avoid the heat). | ||
| Grand |
Thanks for the suggestion, just checked it hot, briefly, will try with a screwdriver. Now its hot I couldn't notice it getting tight going on to sidestand, but hadn't moved chain to tightest spot. Just wondering if there could be wear grooves in tensioner that make chain loose upright but tight when leant over and bottom run slides to unworn part of tensioner? Of course I could be imagining things that can't happen ! | ||
| Grand |
I do feel stupid now. Checked again, definitely gets tighter when I put weight on side stand, because I was in top gear rolling bike forward to find tightest spot. Will put my brain in gear and see if I can keep chain at loosest when taking weight off seat.  | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
NICE. I would rather feel dumb than to actually have to FIX something that cost actual money! | ||
| Shoggin |
That was a weird one. Glad you figured it out and let us know! You deserve a beer....  | ||
| Arry |
"...clunk into first" Maybe clutch adjustment, or clutch cable slack adj., or proper grade/level of primary/trans oil (not too old or contaminated). Maybe the idle speed set too high (manually set on '06 and '07), and don't rev or blip the throttle before that shift. At best they still clunk, from neut. to first, more than a more modern trans. |
