Primary chain adjustment - 2005 Harley Davidson FLHT - FLHTI Electra Glide Standard

inside the primary cover, in the middle bottom part of the chain is a shoe assembly, loosen adjusting bolt to raise shoe which increases tension on chain, now if the chain will not adjust then possibly the chain & tensioner are worn & need replacement.

The primary chain adjustment has nothing to do with the clutch. Take the small upper inspection cover off the primary cover and use your finger to check the primary chain tension. It should have 3/8 to 1/2 inch up and down movement in the top run of the chain when the engine is cold. To adjust, loosen the lock nut on the primary chain adjuster on the bottom of the primary case. Turn the screw upward to tighten the chain, downward to loosen. Once set, tighten the locknut.

To adjust the clutch, loosen the clutch cable adjuster as much as you can. Remove the derby cover from the primary cover. Remove the spring and the locknut. Turn the adjuster screw counterclockwise as far as it will go. Turn it back in 1/4 turn and replace the lock nut and the spring. Replace derby cover. Adjust the clutch cable so that you have about a 1/8 inch play at the hand lever.

Good Luck
Steve

First, let's adjust the primary chain first. Remove the upper inspection hole cover. Stick your finger in the hole, find the chain, and raise and lower it. With the engine cold, the chain should have 3/8" to 1/2" up and down movement. To adjust this, look underneath the primary. You'll see a bolt and a lock nut. under the primary. Loosen the lock nut and turn the adjuster to adjust the tension in the chain. Adjusting the bolt upwards tightens the chain, lowering it loosens the chain. If you get the chain too tight, lower the chain until you get too much movement in it and then raise the adjuster again.

On the clutch, remove the clutch release mechanism cover. Remove the spring and the lock nut. Find the cable adjuster in the middle of the clutch cable. Move the cover up or down, break the lock nut, and adjust the cable adjuster inwards until you get a lot of slack in the cable. Turn the adjuster bolt at the relaese mechanism counterclockwise until it stops. Then turn it back clockwise 1/2 turn. Install the locknut and spring and cover. Go back and adjust the cable adjuster outwards until you have about an 1/8" freeplay. Lock the lock nut and replace the cover.

Good Luck
Steve

Remove the small access plate on the primary cover. Inside you'll see the primary chain adjuster and shoe. Loosen the bolt and slide it up or down to adjust the chain. Moving the shoe up tightens the chain. Adjust the chain so that you've got between 5/8 and 7/8 in up and down movement at the middle of the upper run of the chain with the engine cold.

Good Luck
Steve

after safely supporting rear wheel off ground, remove small inspection cover from primary cover. rotate rear wheel until primary chain is at tightest point. cold engine- chain free play should be 5/8" - 7/8", hot engine should be 3/8" - 5/8". to adjust, loosen primary chain adjuster shoe nut (bolt head is similar to a carriage bolt-square head), sometimes you will need to tap bolt end to free up adjuster, as it sits in grooces to hold at desired level. adjust to desired tension and tighten bolt to 22-29 ft/lbs. then recheck chain freeplay after rotating rear wheel at least one full revolution. If OK, reinstall cover.

The primary chain on you year of bike my have an automatic adjuster on it ,, they should not have needed to adjust it ,,,,if it was loose then the auto adjuster is not working properly and it will make the exact noise you describe ,,,i have seen this problem on a few of the 06 and 07 models..most of the time the auto adjuster needs replacing as well as the primary chain .

Have you checked the tension on your primary chain lately. The chain should be adjusted to have 3/4 to 7/8 inch up and down movement when the engine is cold.

Remove the top primary plug and you can reach in with your finger and lift the primary chain up and down. The adjuster is on the bottom of the primary cover. Loosen the nut and using an allen wrench adjust the tension on the chain. Screwing the screw inward tightens the chain, outward loosens it. Do not tighten the chain too tight. As the engine warms up and expands, the chain will become tighter. If you get it too tight, it could cause damage to other components.

If you don't think this is the problem, repost and we'll try something else. If you feel comfortable pulling the primary cover off, you might want to check for a loose engine sprocket nut. I've seen them come loose on many occasions. If you pull the primary, disconnect the battery. You' may need all your fingers in the future. Good Luck