SuzukiSavage.com - Newbie, and tensioner headaches

Kropatchek Serious Thumper Offline Why more than 1 cylinder? Posts: 1457 Alphen a/d Rijn Netherlands Gender:	Re: Newbie, and tensioner headaches Reply #15 - 04/11/07 at 06:59:27 K1200LTryder wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:04: Interseting comments, I guess the problem cannot be solved just by replacing the tensioner. Replacing the tensioner only will NOT solve the problem.
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Kropatchek

Serious Thumper

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Why more than 1
cylinder?

Posts: 1457
Alphen a/d Rijn Netherlands
Gender: male

Re: Newbie, and tensioner headaches
Reply #16 - 04/11/07 at 07:00:59

verslagen1 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:04:

Chain $70
Gaskets $20
Tensioner $40
The grin on your face when you're done - priceless.

(round numbers estimates)

German kit $200
Machining/Welding to avoid buying German kit - 6 pack of beer.
Doing it my way and it actualy works - priceless x 10 Grin

You did not include the rear-guide and if the tensionerpiston did not leave the body it can be re-used.

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Never ask your bike to scream before her throat is warm.
'93 Sav in '96 ( yellow) looks

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justin_o_guy

Ex Member

Re: Newbie, and tensioner headaches
Reply #17 - 04/11/07 at 07:21:27

I may get disappointed, but I am hoping to reuse the guides on the first cam chain replacement. I am also hoping to get more miles out of the second one. I may even just remove the tensioner & tweak the rear guide & reinstall the tensioner, depending on the measurement on the chain. I can always stick the chain in later. OOOps,, Rethink That! I have a cam coming & have to ship the core back, so I spose the chain will be gettin replaced, not gonna stick a 90% WO_ Out one back in,

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K1200LTryder Ex Member	Re: Newbie, and tensioner headaches Reply #18 - 04/11/07 at 08:02:33 I'm thinking the rear tensioner/guide is the main culprit when it comes to wearing out. Can this be changed without removing the cylinder head ?
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Kropatchek Serious Thumper Offline Why more than 1 cylinder? Posts: 1457 Alphen a/d Rijn Netherlands Gender:	Re: Newbie, and tensioner headaches Reply #19 - 04/11/07 at 08:56:57 K1200LTryder wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:04: I'm thinking the rear tensioner/guide is the main culprit when it comes to wearing out. Can this be changed without removing the cylinder head ? Yes, only the headCOVER comes off. That's the part that houses the (valve) rockers and the decompressure mechanismus.
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verslagen1

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Where there's a
will, I want to be
in it.

Posts: 29042
L.A. California
Gender: male

Re: Newbie, and tensioner headaches
Reply #20 - 04/11/07 at 09:00:40

Yes you can replace the guide w/o removing the head, but you do have to remove the head cover.

At 20k miles, my chain is .02 over stock. So I have another 50k to go before I should need to replace the chain. However, the tensioner is ready to fall out.

I'm going to measure the nuts out of that rear guide before it goes back together. Any body have a new one to compare? Make a xerrox copy and send it to me.

As far as these guides wearing out... I don't think they do (unless they far apart, alas poor grim) I think they loose their shape. I think they flop about enough to expedite tensioner demise. :'(

I'm thinking about 2 or 3 ways to fix this. I've discussed this elsewhere, so either search or wait. I haven't riden since sunday so I'm getting testy. Shocked

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K1200LTryder

Ex Member

Re: Newbie, and tensioner headaches
Reply #21 - 04/11/07 at 11:32:42

Well, the bike has 17,000 miles on it, and has never had the clutch cover off, but it has lost power and the chain is very noisy.

I will be opening it up on sunday and will post a full report.

From what I have been gathering here, the chain itself stretches very little over time and mileage, BUT, the rear tensioner guide seems to 'straighten out' at a premature rate. The guide straightens so much that it exceeds the limit of the tension plunger, and verges on catastrophic failure.

On a post on about the sixth page (sorry, I forget the posters name), somebody compared a new guide to an old one, saw the difference, and bent a 'bow' back into the guide.

His bike now works FINE !

If this is the case with my bike, not only will I reform the rear guide, I will also reinforce it so it will not lose shape...( put a backbone on it with a mig welder)

It just might be a simple and cost effective solution to an inherent design flaw.

Thanks for all the input, this forum not only provides answers, it inspires ideas.

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K1200LTryder Ex Member	Re: Newbie, and tensioner headaches Reply #22 - 04/11/07 at 11:56:10 ....Aeres......chain guide guru !
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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 29042 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Newbie, and tensioner headaches Reply #23 - 04/11/07 at 12:15:22 I agree the guide might need reshaping, but it is encased in plastic and welding on it will change that. Also, it might be of spring steel and welding on it will lose its temper(stiffness). Oh, Aeres, great chain guide guru! speak to us! give us wisdom! Wat up How's the bike holding up.
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