OK, I have tried everything to get a good look at the inner cam chain tensioner and I can't see much. I have done a search and came up empty handed. Does anyone have any good techniques for inspecting the area that rides on the chain? Yes I have unloaded the tensioner.

 

Flatblade screwdriver to pry up and unload the tension, insert a nail or something to hold the tensioner off, use a dental mirror and a flashlight to inspect.

 

I tried that Dawg, maybe my dental mirror is to large, but I can not see the shoe surface.

 

It might help with two people. It is a PITA, but it can be done. Are you shining the light into the mirror to reflect and light up the tensioner area?

 

Yeah, I'm shining the light on the mirror but all I can see is the side. No matter what I have tried I cannot see the wear on the face of the shoe. I'm going to go to out tomorrow and see if I can find a smaller diameter mirror. Mine is 1 1/4 inch and is round and it isn't working.

 

Anyone else have any tricks to see this thing?

 

Nevermind - answered my own question in a few seconds... (was going to say to just pull the cam plate. Lifters and pushrods sqaush that idea.)

Can you rent or get ahold to a borescope?

 

No I don't have a borescope, but it seems to me that would be the only other way to properly inspect this tensioner. The other being to pull the cam plate. I read all of the post's about people inspecting this thing but I just don't see how anyone is getting a good look at it. I can see the edges, but I can not see the wear surface at all. Money is an issue right now and I was hoping to get another riding season out of these before tearing it down to upgrade to gear drives.

 

Update: I couldn't take not knowing what my inner tensioner looked like so I pulled the cam plate. It only had about .008 worn on both tensioners. This bike is a 2006 with 34,000 miles and both tensioner shoes were barely worn and stranger yet they were both worn equally. Looks like I got a good one. I'll take some pics later and post them. Now the bike sits until payday so I can buy parts. I had only intended doing a quick visual inspection, but what the heck at least I'll have the peace of mind knowing I can get a few more years out of her before upgrading to gear drive.

 

Good for you