General
Refer to Maintenance Scheduling → Regular Service Intervals → Regular Service Intervals: 2006 Police Models. Primary (front) chain adjustment should be inspected specified intervals and serviced as necessary. If the chain is allowed to run loose, it will cause the motorcycle to jerk when running at low speed, and chain and sprockets will wear excessively. If this happens, see a Harley-Davidson dealer or proceed as follows.
Table 1. Primary Chain Adjustment: Touring Models
FREE PLAY
IN.
MM
COLD engine
5/8-7/8
15.9-22.2
HOT engine
3/8-5/8
9.5-15.9
Measure Chain Tension
1. Remove seat.
WARNING
To prevent accidental vehicle start-up, which could cause death or serious injury, disconnect negative (-) battery cable before proceeding. (00048a)
2. Unthread bolt and remove battery negative cable (black) from battery negative (-) terminal.
3. See Figure 1. On the left side of the vehicle, remove the T27 TORX screws to free the primary chain inspection cover from the primary chaincase cover.
4. Check the primary chain tension. Push on the upper strand to verify that it has free up and down movement midway between the engine compensating sprocket (front) and the clutch sprocket (rear).
5. Refer to Table 1. Measure the free play to be sure that it falls within the ranges specified for a hot or cold engine.
1Primary chain inspection cover
2Clutch inspection cover
3Drain plug
Figure 1. Primary Chain Inspection Cover: Touring Models
1Center bolt nut
2Primary chain
3Shoe assembly
Figure 2. Chain Tensioner Assembly
Adjust Chain Tension
If the chain is too tight or too loose, then adjustment is necessary. Proceed as follows:
1. See Figure 2. Locate the chain tensioner assembly and loosen the top center nut a maximum of two turns.
2. Refer to Table 1. Raise or lower the chain tensioner assembly as necessary to obtain the specified free play.
NOTE
  • As chains stretch and wear, they run tighter at one spot than another. Always adjust the free play at the tightest spot in the chain.
  • Replace the primary chain if it is worn to the point where it cannot be properly adjusted.
NOTE
Allowing the chain to run loose will cause the motorcycle to jerk when running at low speed resulting in excessive chain and sprocket wear.
NOTICE
Do not adjust the primary chain tighter than specified. Running chain too tight will result in excessive wear. (00202a)
3. Tighten the top center nut of the chain tensioner assembly to 28.5–39.3 N·m (21–29 ft-lbs).
4. Using a new gasket, position the primary chain inspection cover in the primary chaincase cover. Install four screws and tighten to 9.5–12.2 N·m (84–108 in-lbs).