Tensioner Options For A Rivera Primo Game Changer

[Tail Ridr]

What is the noticed effect going from 34 to 32 tooth? RPM wise...

[Tail Ridr]

What is the noticed effect going from 34 to 32 tooth? RPM wise...

I'm guessing the same as dropping the trans pulley by 2...? Around 250 rpm's?

[Fat11Lo]

What is the noticed effect going from 34 to 32 tooth? RPM wise...

I'm guessing the same as dropping the trans pulley by 2...? Around 250 rpm's?

I did a 30 tooth trans pulley at the same time so it's kinda hard to tell exactly how much it changed. Now it runs about 3000 rpm at 65 mph

[1workinman]

   I don't think the problem started out being your tensioner shoe had sub-standard material. Look at your tensioner...that thing ratcheted up too tight causing your primary chain to become a saw blade and dig thru the shoe.
  If you get another shoe to replace the old one...take the time to set the primary chain with 5/8" deflection at the top...then mark the primary tensioner and have it welded in place so it can not over tighten.

Thanks Ray I going to do that to my tensioner when I replace the clutch basket as soon as I can get one here

[Fat11Lo]

   If you don't mind...let us know what you think of that 32 tooth Twin Power set up after you give it a test ride.
I have gave serious thought about trying that kit when my comp or Game Changer shoe goes bad.

I actually had a chance to ride this bike over the weekend, just down the road to get some fresh gas in it, but I noticed no difference in it than when it had a comp in it

If I ever get enough time to get out for a real ride I will report back

[FLDavetrain]

Any miles on this set up?

[Fat11Lo]

I put about 650 on it in Sturgis, to be honest I can't tell any difference between the solid and the comp. FWIW I also have a 17 CVO street glide and I have rode them both in the same day and can't really feel any difference. Don't notice any faster reving from the weight saving like they claim either

[ben31]

Hi, any idea where to find tensioner shoes now? This item seems to be sold out everywhere, since a long time ago!

I have a Rivera Primo game changer on my shelve, but I hesitate to install it and get rid of my Hayden tensioner to install again the stock tensioner with the unique shoe I have...

[dieselbeef]

i bought the evolution kit from fuel moto..30t..came with the chain at correct length..i see you solved yer issue but maybe they can get a shorter chain..i think they sell a 32t setup also.....says uses the stock tensioner

[hattitude]

i bought the evolution kit from fuel moto..30t..came with the chain at correct length..i see you solved yer issue but maybe they can get a shorter chain..i think they sell a 32t setup also.....says uses the stock tensioner

I looked hard when switching to a 32T engine sprocket... No body offers a shorter chain option for the 32T sprocket... I suspect it falls between two sizes of primary chains..

30T sprocket, you can get a proper fitting chain...

34T sprocket w/49 tooth clutch basket, you can get a proper fitting chain...

But 32T sprocket seems to only have the tensioner shoe option...

[ben31]

You're right. I do think the same regarding chain length with 32t.
So you run your 32t sprocket with a tensioner shoe or with a rigid tensioner as Vulcanworks one?

[ben31]

I think I will install and run my game changer with the provided add-on shoe until it fails...
Then I will look for another setup, as I cannot find this shoe anywhere...

[kd]

i bought the evolution kit from fuel moto..30t..came with the chain at correct length..i see you solved yer issue but maybe they can get a shorter chain..i think they sell a 32t setup also.....says uses the stock tensioner

I looked hard when switching to a 32T engine sprocket... No body offers a shorter chain option for the 32T sprocket... I suspect it falls between two sizes of primary chains..

30T sprocket, you can get a proper fitting chain...

34T sprocket w/49 tooth clutch basket, you can get a proper fitting chain...

But 32T sprocket seems to only have the tensioner shoe option...

The problem lies in the fact the Harley primary chain is a relatively short assembly (number of links) in relation to the gauge (distance between the pins).  That means a minimal change of a link or half link reduces the length by a large amount relative to the effect it has on the slack end used to support a tensioner.  The two options are to run the bottom where the tensioner goes almost flat but there is no room left for a tensioner mechanism, or to have it so long that the lower run of chain has such a wild arc that it literally changes direction 4 times between the 2 sprockets.  That puts an unmanageable load on the tensioner and mounting system.   Little wonder some are experiencing failures.  I think if you want to lower the ratio and still have a reasonable tensioner performance you have make some decisions on how you do it.  Spread it out over the 4 primary and secondary sprockets.  Nothing in this world is free so you sometimes have to pay to play (or be satisfied with less).  IMO. if the distance was longer between the primary sprockets, there would be better solutions available. 

[hattitude]

You're right. I do think the same regarding chain length with 32t.
So you run your 32t sprocket with a tensioner shoe or with a rigid tensioner as Vulcanworks one?

I bought a 32T Sprocket Kit (#46242), from Vulcan Engineering Company. It came with a manual primary adjuster...

[ben31]

Thanks! Nice pic. I love your config.
Vulcan site display this kit as "Out of stock" since months.
I have subscribed to get a notif when it's available again...

[jmorton10]

That looks a lot like my primary.

~John

[hattitude]

That looks a lot like my primary.

~John

Someday my clutch will be like yours.....!!

[hattitude]

i bought the evolution kit from fuel moto..30t..came with the chain at correct length..i see you solved yer issue but maybe they can get a shorter chain..i think they sell a 32t setup also.....says uses the stock tensioner

I looked hard when switching to a 32T engine sprocket... No body offers a shorter chain option for the 32T sprocket... I suspect it falls between two sizes of primary chains..

30T sprocket, you can get a proper fitting chain...

34T sprocket w/49 tooth clutch basket, you can get a proper fitting chain...

But 32T sprocket seems to only have the tensioner shoe option...

The problem lies in the fact the Harley primary chain is a relatively short assembly (number of links) in relation to the gauge (distance between the pins).  That means a minimal change of a link or half link reduces the length by a large amount relative to the effect it has on the slack end used to support a tensioner.  The two options are to run the bottom where the tensioner goes almost flat but there is no room left for a tensioner mechanism, or to have it so long that the lower run of chain has such a wild arc that it literally changes direction 4 times between the 2 sprockets.  That puts an unmanageable load on the tensioner and mounting system.   Little wonder some are experiencing failures.  I think if you want to lower the ratio and still have a reasonable tensioner performance you have make some decisions on how you do it.  Spread it out over the 4 primary and secondary sprockets.  Nothing in this world is free so you sometimes have to pay to play (or be satisfied with less).  IMO. if the distance was longer between the primary sprockets, there would be better solutions available.

Thanks for the info...  I suspected it was chain/primary length issue, I appreciate the detailed explanation... especially because I can understand it... 

[jmorton10]

Someday my clutch will be like yours.....!!

Bandit Sportsman, buy it once & you'll never buy another clutch.

~John

[kd]

 

[dieselbeef]

You're right. I do think the same regarding chain length with 32t.
So you run your 32t sprocket with a tensioner shoe or with a rigid tensioner as Vulcanworks one?

I bought a 32T Sprocket Kit (#46242), from Vulcan Engineering Company. It came with a manual primary adjuster...

hows the rideabiity since youve done this..i got the 30...maybe install this weekend idk...anyways..heard lots of good bad about the no compensator so....what ya think...

[hattitude]

You're right. I do think the same regarding chain length with 32t.
So you run your 32t sprocket with a tensioner shoe or with a rigid tensioner as Vulcanworks one?

I bought a 32T Sprocket Kit (#46242), from Vulcan Engineering Company. It came with a manual primary adjuster...

hows the rideabiity since youve done this..i got the 30...maybe install this weekend idk...anyways..heard lots of good bad about the no compensator so....what ya think...

To be honest, I can't say I notice any major difference between the solid sprocket and the compensator sprocket in terms of smoothness, pulses, or anything like that... I suspect a person's driving style could lead some to feel a difference more than others..

I do notice the slightly lower gearing change... I like it. I thought about the 30T so I wouldn't need a thicker tensioner pad, I believe they get a different chain, but we have a lot of 70-75MPH freeways around here.  I didn't want to add too many rpms to my freeway cruising speeds. I ended up adding about 200-250 rpms over the 34T compensator at 75 -80mph..

I did notice a slightly louder whine from the primary chain, until the new tensioner pad broke in. Now I don't even notice it.. probably still a little louder than OEM due to the chain angles, but it's gotten better due to break-in and I've probably gotten use to it..

[dieselbeef]

yea i ride lots of backroads and dont so alotta touring style altho closest town is 40 mi away...gas is only 12 tho...lol

gonna try to do mine this weekend..wanted a pass at the track first but idk..i wanna do it...

yes the evolution kit comes with a new chain for the 30t...and uses the stock tensioner so....

i know stock im doing about 65 at 3k in 5th..