Cam chain tensioner question
#11
09-27-2006, 11:27 AM
RE: Cam chain tensioner question
There are other problems with the chain besides the wear on the tensioner. The gears keep the cams exactly where they are supposed to be. They also won't allow for a high lift cam to "wiggle" (technical term) fore and aft as it lifts and lowers the lifter. You probably won't find a high lift cam with a chain drive. They only went to the chain to quiet it down a little.
Dyna Jim said it pretty good right here:
http://www.cyclespot.com/forums/arch...php/t-305.html
Good luck....the obvious choice is the gear drive.
Dyna Jim said it pretty good right here:
http://www.cyclespot.com/forums/arch...php/t-305.html
Good luck....the obvious choice is the gear drive.
#12
09-27-2006, 11:33 AM
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RE: Cam chain tensioner question
ORIGINAL: Uncle Peepers
There's an easy way to check the shoes without the guesswork of sorting through oil filter contents. All but one or two of the cam cover allens are accessible without removing the front exhaust. For the remaining two, take the appropriate size allen wrench and use a dremel or hack saw to cut the end so it fits between the exhaust pipe and the cam cover. You can remove the cover and inspect the front tensioner shoe directly. With a dental-type mirror or mirror on a stick device, you can take a look at the inner tensioner shoe. If they're badly worn, follow the replacement procedure; if not, close it up and you're done. Mileage does not seem to be a good indicator of shoe life. Some seem to last forever, and others wear quickly.
Uncle Peepers
There's an easy way to check the shoes without the guesswork of sorting through oil filter contents. All but one or two of the cam cover allens are accessible without removing the front exhaust. For the remaining two, take the appropriate size allen wrench and use a dremel or hack saw to cut the end so it fits between the exhaust pipe and the cam cover. You can remove the cover and inspect the front tensioner shoe directly. With a dental-type mirror or mirror on a stick device, you can take a look at the inner tensioner shoe. If they're badly worn, follow the replacement procedure; if not, close it up and you're done. Mileage does not seem to be a good indicator of shoe life. Some seem to last forever, and others wear quickly.
Uncle Peepers
#13
09-27-2006, 02:33 PM
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RE: Cam chain tensioner question
Tried the above procedure, you can get all the screws out by removing heat shield and floor board. The one screw behind the exhaust pipe lower right side will not come completely out of the cover but is out of the threads.
No way could i get the cover to come off the bike, hits the exhaust pipe, maybe some exhaust are a little further away than others because it came awful close to clearing.
I did get it out enough to see the top shoe plainly looking down from the top of the cover, the outside shoe i had to use a mirror to see.
The shoes looked pretty good the outside one looking a little more worn than the inside one, they looked to be around a good 1/8 th in. thick.
Because i couldn`t get a clear view from the side i`m not totally satisfied with the inspection and will probably tear it down this winter and have new ones put in.
What i do know and what made it worth doing is they are not worn through and ready to fall apart so i can ride the rest of the season without worrying.
My bike is a 01 RG with 36,000 miles.
No way could i get the cover to come off the bike, hits the exhaust pipe, maybe some exhaust are a little further away than others because it came awful close to clearing.
I did get it out enough to see the top shoe plainly looking down from the top of the cover, the outside shoe i had to use a mirror to see.
The shoes looked pretty good the outside one looking a little more worn than the inside one, they looked to be around a good 1/8 th in. thick.
Because i couldn`t get a clear view from the side i`m not totally satisfied with the inspection and will probably tear it down this winter and have new ones put in.
What i do know and what made it worth doing is they are not worn through and ready to fall apart so i can ride the rest of the season without worrying.
My bike is a 01 RG with 36,000 miles.
#14
09-27-2006, 07:19 PM
Road Warrior
RE: Cam chain tensioner question
I think the proximity of the exhaust pipe to the cam cover does vary from bike to bike. I don't replace the gasket. Unlike the primary side, it seems to take a lot to get the cam side to leak.
Not only are the new shoes different, but I think there may have been some kind of material change during the life of the old style. At 70,000 miles, I installed my third set of shoes about 15,000. Unlike the first two sets, they still look new.
Peepers
Not only are the new shoes different, but I think there may have been some kind of material change during the life of the old style. At 70,000 miles, I installed my third set of shoes about 15,000. Unlike the first two sets, they still look new.
Peepers
#15
09-28-2006, 10:14 AM
RE: Cam chain tensioner question
ORIGINAL: 500MAG
Tried the above procedure, you can get all the screws out by removing heat shield and floor board. The one screw behind the exhaust pipe lower right side will not come completely out of the cover but is out of the threads.
No way could i get the cover to come off the bike, hits the exhaust pipe, maybe some exhaust are a little further away than others because it came awful close to clearing.
I did get it out enough to see the top shoe plainly looking down from the top of the cover, the outside shoe i had to use a mirror to see.
The shoes looked pretty good the outside one looking a little more worn than the inside one, they looked to be around a good 1/8 th in. thick.
Because i couldn`t get a clear view from the side i`m not totally satisfied with the inspection and will probably tear it down this winter and have new ones put in.
What i do know and what made it worth doing is they are not worn through and ready to fall apart so i can ride the rest of the season without worrying.
My bike is a 01 RG with 36,000 miles.
Tried the above procedure, you can get all the screws out by removing heat shield and floor board. The one screw behind the exhaust pipe lower right side will not come completely out of the cover but is out of the threads.
No way could i get the cover to come off the bike, hits the exhaust pipe, maybe some exhaust are a little further away than others because it came awful close to clearing.
I did get it out enough to see the top shoe plainly looking down from the top of the cover, the outside shoe i had to use a mirror to see.
The shoes looked pretty good the outside one looking a little more worn than the inside one, they looked to be around a good 1/8 th in. thick.
Because i couldn`t get a clear view from the side i`m not totally satisfied with the inspection and will probably tear it down this winter and have new ones put in.
What i do know and what made it worth doing is they are not worn through and ready to fall apart so i can ride the rest of the season without worrying.
My bike is a 01 RG with 36,000 miles.
If they are only 1/4 " I would be changing them VERY soon.
#16
09-28-2006, 11:12 AM
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RE: Cam chain tensioner question
ORIGINAL: PosseRider
If they are only 1/4 " I would be changing them VERY soon.
ORIGINAL: 500MAG
Tried the above procedure, you can get all the screws out by removing heat shield and floor board. The one screw behind the exhaust pipe lower right side will not come completely out of the cover but is out of the threads.
No way could i get the cover to come off the bike, hits the exhaust pipe, maybe some exhaust are a little further away than others because it came awful close to clearing.
I did get it out enough to see the top shoe plainly looking down from the top of the cover, the outside shoe i had to use a mirror to see.
The shoes looked pretty good the outside one looking a little more worn than the inside one, they looked to be around a good 1/8 th in. thick.
Because i couldn`t get a clear view from the side i`m not totally satisfied with the inspection and will probably tear it down this winter and have new ones put in.
What i do know and what made it worth doing is they are not worn through and ready to fall apart so i can ride the rest of the season without worrying.
My bike is a 01 RG with 36,000 miles.
Tried the above procedure, you can get all the screws out by removing heat shield and floor board. The one screw behind the exhaust pipe lower right side will not come completely out of the cover but is out of the threads.
No way could i get the cover to come off the bike, hits the exhaust pipe, maybe some exhaust are a little further away than others because it came awful close to clearing.
I did get it out enough to see the top shoe plainly looking down from the top of the cover, the outside shoe i had to use a mirror to see.
The shoes looked pretty good the outside one looking a little more worn than the inside one, they looked to be around a good 1/8 th in. thick.
Because i couldn`t get a clear view from the side i`m not totally satisfied with the inspection and will probably tear it down this winter and have new ones put in.
What i do know and what made it worth doing is they are not worn through and ready to fall apart so i can ride the rest of the season without worrying.
My bike is a 01 RG with 36,000 miles.
If they are only 1/4 " I would be changing them VERY soon.
#18
09-28-2006, 11:48 AM
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RE: Cam chain tensioner question
ORIGINAL: PosseRider
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#19
09-28-2006, 12:49 PM
muderator
