SuzukiSavage.com - Cam Chain Adjuster Life

verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28995 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Cam Chain Adjuster Life Reply #45 - 10/26/08 at 13:47:16 chart updated
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revsin

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Re: Cam Chain Adjuster Life
Reply #46 - 10/27/08 at 16:29:13

Some questions that are rather noobish, but that's me in a nutshell.

My bike has 24,500 miles on it now... I trust the info I've read on here over the months of my ownership that I should check the cam chain and tensioner.

Some questions as I'm as novice of a mechanic as I am of a rider:

I'll start with my dumbest questions first:

1) I assume I should drain the oil first?

2) If the cam chain tensioner/adjuster are extended past a safe level, do I replace just the chain? Or do I replace the tensioner/adjuster as well?

3) If replacing the tensioner/adjuster is recommended, why? What makes it wear out or requires its replacement?

4) Is there a gasket or seal that has to be replaced when inspecting the cam chain?

5) Is the cam chain something that can be replaced without removing the head?

Thanks for your tolerance!

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verslagen1

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Re: Cam Chain Adjuster Life
Reply #47 - 10/27/08 at 18:09:55

My bike has 24,500 miles on it now... I should check the cam chain and tensioner. yes, most definitely

1) I assume I should drain the oil first? don't have to but easier

2) If the cam chain tensioner/adjuster are extended past a safe level, do I replace just the chain? Or do I replace the tensioner/adjuster as well? I'd check the stretch on the chain by measuring as recomended in the manuals

3) If replacing the tensioner/adjuster is recommended, why? You only need to replace if ovaled out

4) Is there a gasket or seal that has to be replaced when inspecting the cam chain? yes clutch cover $10

5) Is the cam chain something that can be replaced without removing the head? yes but need to remove head cover

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verslagen1

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Re: Cam Chain Adjuster Life
Reply #48 - 01/04/09 at 12:40:23

I have a '88 with 19885 miles on it. And the plunger was about 18mm out.
The PO burnt the piston, so I took the chain out.
Before I removed it, I marked the bottom center pin while at TDC.
And I measured the chain stretch all the way around.
5.021 to 5.022 everywhere, ctc

Then I measured over half the distance, 2.510 or thereabouts.
Gonna have to work out a better tensioning jig before I get more accurate results though.

This half measurement can be made with the primary removed and all other parts of the cam drive in place.

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ls650v Junior Member Offline 97 savage Posts: 73 Clinton Twp, MI Gender:	Re: Cam Chain Adjuster Life Reply #49 - 01/19/09 at 12:32:54 Year: 1997 Miles: 21,086 Extension: 17.5 mm Indication: Inspection Repair Action: VS2 Oil: Dino, mostly 20W-50 motorcycle specific Riding Style: Moderate, mostly secondary roads or around town, some highway Owners: 2
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Re: Cam Chain Adjuster Life
Reply #50 - 02/25/09 at 19:44:01

So I have to repair the oil cap leak and have had my bike up on a jack putting on saddle bag supports and looking at the chain tensioner. I have had clutch cover off before repairing an oil leak about 2,000 miles ago, present mileage is 15,559 miles. Previous chain tensioner seemed OK. The plunger is now about 20mm, and I don't know if the chain is stretched since I haven't got down to repair oil plug cap. ( I imagine that is where I can measure chain?) I have not had any indications, no noticeable noise. I use 10W40 motorcycle oil and change filter every other oil change. I am a moderate rider, cruise on the highway about 60 to 65mph. I am the 3rd owner bought bike at 11,000 miles. the bike is a 1986 and I am interested in getting the updated tensioner.
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verslagen1

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Re: Cam Chain Adjuster Life
Reply #51 - 02/25/09 at 19:55:57

Doc, the way I see it, you got a 20 year old bike. The plastic is about to crap out on you. The critical plastic I would replace when you get a chance. That being the front and rear chain guides. One would have to ask yourself, are you going to put another 40k on the bike? If so, I'd put another chain on. After 40k, I'm putting a new one on. Not cause it's stretched, but because why take chances. I've gotten double the life out of it with my adjuster mod, why take chances?

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Re: Cam Chain Adjuster Life
Reply #52 - 02/27/09 at 11:33:56

verslagen1 wrote on 02/25/09 at 19:55:57:

Doc, the way I see it, you got a 20 year old bike. The plastic is about to crap out on you. The critical plastic I would replace when you get a chance. That being the front and rear chain guides. One would have to ask yourself, are you going to put another 40k on the bike? If so, I'd put another chain on. After 40k, I'm putting a new one on. Not cause it's stretched, but because why take chances. I've gotten double the life out of it with my adjuster mod, why take chances?

I don't believe this!! I just contacted my local Suzuki dealership to get a price on the cam chain tensioner guides. The price quoted for part # 12771-24B01 was $51.49 and part # 12811-24B00 was $87.44, while from Ron Ayers the first tensioner guide was $28.16 and the second was $53.03!!! Even with the lower Canadian $ this seems amazing since the Canadian parts are shipped from Toronto.
I will have to think about this one!!
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Re: Cam Chain Adjuster Life
Reply #53 - 02/27/09 at 12:24:25

2000 year model bought with 600 miles on it, 1 year old. Ran it over 50,000 miles and never did anything except change oil, replace tires and brakes, replace oil seal at front pulley, and replace oil plug in head. Tore it down to rebore and rebuild, never could get it running right. Looking back it had to be the tensioner. I now have a good salvage replacement motor in it.

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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28995 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Cam Chain Adjuster Life Reply #54 - 02/27/09 at 17:22:20 Sorry about the priced Doc, I just looked at the cost of the clutch cover gasket, I wish I bought a hundred of the them when they were $8 a piece a year ago. Now they're $18
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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28995 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Cam Chain Adjuster Life Reply #55 - 02/27/09 at 18:33:54 chart updated Doc, looks like you got another 20k left in that chain. This is an estimation based on plunger extention alone. The real life can only be estimated from the chain stretch.
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Rogue_Cheddar

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My cam chain tensioner at 20,000 miles
Reply #56 - 02/28/09 at 16:56:00

3rd owner bought at 7800 miles.
Use Amsoil 20w-50 synthetic
mostly commute 35 - 50
Some highway 60-65 (had it up to 85 once until I couldn't feel my scrotum anymore.)
Stock except fishtail muffler and rejet.

Reason:20,000 mile inspection. No problems or other indications.
Approx. 22/32" or 17.4625mm out from housing to plunger shoulder.
I don't know chain stretch.
Verslagen1, what do you recommend at this point?
Also, how strong is that spring in the housing, I can't seem to push it in by hand.

http://w4.bikepics.com/pics/2009/02/28/bikepics-1585881-full.jpg

http://w4.bikepics.com/pics/2009/02/28/bikepics-1585884-full.jpg

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verslagen1

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Re: Cam Chain Adjuster Life
Reply #57 - 03/01/09 at 23:21:59

Hmmm, thought I answered, must have gotten up there. Grin

I have no regrets having done what I've done. I put in a verslavy at 22k, I'm now at 40k. I'm figuring that's the life of the chain. That worked well for my mostly stock bike. And I also put in a new rear guide. Now if you're down for a month or 2, I'd get it modified for the 2 hole. Either me or someone else.

Do you have insurance on your bike? betcha you don't have insurance on your engine. The plunger falling out of the adjuster can be the most singlely devestating event your bike will ever know. Yet only a handfull have installed my verslagen1 adjuster. I've pinned the plunger to the housing to prevent this. Now if I can get my ginnea pig over here, I be able to hear this for myself. Instead of the plunger falling out, the chain rattles. Giving you a clear indication... knock knock knock hey! time for maitenance idiot! Roll Eyes

wake up call.

That spring is not that strong, what you're pushing against is a racket and pawl. reach underneath, push the little lever in and you'll be able to push the plunger in. Grin

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DocNeedles

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Re: Cam Chain Adjuster Life
Reply #58 - 03/02/09 at 13:33:08

verslagen1 wrote on 02/27/09 at 18:33:54:

chart updated

Doc, looks like you got another 20k left in that chain.
This is an estimation based on plunger extention alone.
The real life can only be estimated from the chain stretch.

On thinking it over I am going to purchase the chain tensioner guides now from the US and replace the chain at 20,000 miles if when I measure it it is within reason. I have ordered from you the chain tensioner guide and will replace that while I have the clutch casing off. Just hope the weather here is going to keep rainy while I have the bike down.
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Digger Serious Thumper 2005 No Login Offline Ya gotta be tough to ride singles! Posts: 1604 Colorado Springs, CO Gender:	Re: Cam Chain Adjuster Life Reply #59 - 06/30/09 at 20:35:01 verslagen1 wrote on 02/27/09 at 18:33:54: chart updated Doc, looks like you got another 20k left in that chain. This is an estimation based on plunger extention alone. ..... Ver, How are you estimating chain life based on plunger extension alone? i.e., what are your assumptions? TIA!
Back to top	Digger 2001, Metallic Glacial Blue, Raptor Petcock, Verslavy (first hole) (otherwise, mechanically, the bike is stock), 13,xxx miles I don't own a cage. www.astronautbiker.com IP Logged