SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Tensioner adjuster question
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1293330534

Message started by drums1 on 12/25/10 at 18:28:54

Title: Tensioner adjuster question
Post by drums1 on 12/25/10 at 18:28:54

I've searched to no avail--here's a silly question. What keeps the worn out adjuster from flying apart in pieces when I take the bolt out? Or better yet, what's the secret to collapsing the dam thing--I had a c-clamp on it and couldn't budge it. Apparently I need one of them there Verslagen mods--or is that the Slavy mod?? I'm confused. And I had the dam thing replaced last summer with the "new improved design" from the dealer. It's right at 18mm now--not even 3000 miles after new. It's beginning to look like I may not be doing much riding next summer--Yes, money is a big issue, and old Betsy needs LOTS of work.

Title: Re: Tensioner adjuster question
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/25/10 at 18:42:12

Its a spring loaded ratchet that keeps the chain tension from driving the adjuster rod back in. Gotta trip the ratchet & hold it away from the teeth on the adjuster.

Nothing keeps it from flying apart. Thjats what kills some of these engines.

I drilled & put a tiny wire thru mine, it wont come apart. Vers has a much nicer looking approach.

Title: Re: Tensioner adjuster question
Post by drums1 on 12/25/10 at 19:10:00

OK, how does one trip the ratchet and hold away from teeth? (I'm just trying to get the old one off the bike without putting my 1 good eye out, or have it shoot out the garage door and 1/2 way down the alley)

Title: Re: Tensioner adjuster question
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/25/10 at 19:15:45

sweep the floor, lay a towel or something down, get down there & put a light on it. Theres a small bit O metal youll, see it. Its spring loaded. I cant remember how to beat it, I just looked at it & figgered it out. both times.

Title: Re: Tensioner adjuster question
Post by Oldfeller on 12/25/10 at 20:01:29

I rotated mine 180 degrees so smooth side was out (ratchet skittering on smooth steel), got everything assembled and pushed everything in and seated the bolt a thread or two just as a trial run with the ratchet not getting in the way of things.

Checked everything out good while my fingers rested seeing that the all the motions worked right, etc.

Took a big drill bit that was used to drill the holes and put the butt end of it into the free hole and pulled back with my whole hand while undoing the bolt. Then used my limited finger strength time to rotate the piece in the full cocked position and got the big drill bit back in the hole. That gave me full hand strength to hold it all back while I got the small bolt back in place.

There is a little tiny bit of smooth at the fully depressed position that allows you to rotate the piece from smooth side to ratchet teeth engaged.

Your fingers can't hold it back for more than 15-10 seconds before your fingers give out. You need mechanical aids and an attack plan to get it done.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/bit_trick.JPG

==================

here is where I wrote down how to do it all. Merry Christmas and good luck to you as you work on your bike.

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1256079122

Title: Re: Tensioner adjuster question
Post by Baldeagle on 12/25/10 at 20:05:11

When I replaced mine I took the old one off and replaced it with a new one. I did take the old one off as a unit without it flying apart. The new one had a nylon pin holding everything in place. After install pull the pin and you are in business.

Title: Re: Tensioner adjuster question
Post by verslagen1 on 12/25/10 at 20:26:32

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/virago125/verslavy4.jpg
See that yeller tab on the bottom, when you buy a brand new adjuster it's stuck in there to keep it from flying out. Right next to it is a pawl, use your thumb and push the bottom in and it'll release the plunger and you can push it back in against a spring.

Now to take it off ain't no big deal, just keep your hand on it and let it expand slowly when the bolt is free.

It's obvious you newb's still don't understand what this thing does.
All the adjuster does is maintain chain tension. Buying a new one don't magically make the chain shorter. If you fix it before the adjuster gets over extended and wears an oblong hole that allows the plunger to wobble. You can keep using the same one forever. You have to replace the chain and guides to get the plunger back in.

The dealer who put that in for you, stole your money.

Title: Re: Tensioner adjuster question
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/26/10 at 00:19:56

just keep your hand on it and let it expand slowly

thats what he said

Title: Re: Tensioner adjuster question
Post by drums1 on 12/26/10 at 08:26:17

OK, I'm gonna go pull the bolt and let 'er fly, like the newb I am. Then I'm gonna rip the rest of the upper 1/2 apart. Maybe I'll rip the bottom apart too, so's I kin lern how to do this shite. When I have a pile o' parts staring at me this coming April, I'll put the bucketful up for sale, and go buy a Vespa.

I only had them put the new one in because it wasn't costing me anything, since it was tore apart anyways when they screwed up the clutch job. I'm only looking into it now because mileage says to. I never thought it would be a miracle fix, but I don't have the cash for a new chain, front and rear brakes, 2 tires, air and gas filters, new carb, etc., etc., etc.. OK?

Title: Re: Tensioner adjuster question
Post by verslagen1 on 12/26/10 at 09:03:46

Sorry I came down on ya, hate when someone gives the dealer too big of a smile. And I hear ya about the cost of riding, sure stacks up. I tend to buy my supplies throughout the year so it don't feel so bad. The big hit is the tires, but I've since gone to cast wheels so re-shoeing the beast is something I can do. So the money for tubes, mounting and balancing stay in my pocket.

Title: Re: Tensioner adjuster question
Post by Oldfeller on 12/26/10 at 09:41:46

Remember to stuff a rag or two inside all those little rabbit holes leading down to the sump area -- if you don't a clip or a bolt will run down one of those rabbit holes just as sure as baby bunnies have bunny fuzz.

Title: Re: Tensioner adjuster question
Post by MotoBuddha on 12/26/10 at 10:07:42

I must have a wimpy spring, because I have no trouble compressing and holding the thing together for a minute or more with just my thumb and forefinger. And I'm a soft-handed white-collar worker.

Title: Re: Tensioner adjuster question
Post by verslagen1 on 12/26/10 at 11:03:33

The spring is not hard to push in by hand, it just can get away from you if you're not watching it.

Title: Re: Tensioner adjuster question
Post by drums1 on 12/26/10 at 16:38:17

Gotcha. I was just unsure of how to unlock it so as to be able to push it in.

Is it Verslagen1 or Slavy that makes the extended one with the extra hole, and how much would one of those beasts cost me? I don't do welding or I'd make one myself.

Oh oh--I just did a search and saw Slavy's last post was in March--Does he not come here anymore??

Title: Re: Tensioner adjuster question
Post by MotoBuddha on 12/26/10 at 17:10:28

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1180206459

Title: Re: Tensioner adjuster question
Post by drums1 on 12/29/10 at 11:26:20

OK got it off--no big deal. I now understand the concept. I just tucked a shop rag under it and let it hang over the open side--nothing shot out or fell and if it would have, it would have fallen on the floor. I can't imagine how anyone could let it fall in that oblong hole. So anyway, mine is at 18mm out and there's another 14mm or so still inside. I'm thinking I could have gotten a few more miles out of it, but why chance it. I'll be sending it to Verslagen to rework it as soon as I save a few bucks. I know I should get a new chain and guides too, but $$ is scarce. I have other necessary things to worry about also, such as tires and brakes. I hope to get 1 more summer out of it and then maybe o-haul the motor.
Well anyways, thanks for the advice. Funny how the things that sound the most horrible, sometimes end up being easy as pie.

Title: Re: Tensioner adjuster question
Post by verslagen1 on 12/29/10 at 11:56:24

Cool, How many miles on the bike?

The purpose of the verslavy is to get the most out of the chain and guides. As it is, you run out of adjustment halfway to the wear limit on the chain. And I would pull the guide back to make the chain as slack as possible and exercise the chain and feel for any stiff links. Rotate the engine and feel again. Maybe dab a little grease on the sections you looked at and continue till it's all looked at. A stiff link is a spot that could break.

Title: Re: Tensioner adjuster question
Post by Oldfeller on 12/29/10 at 16:41:35

And as far as stuff jumping off and running down the rabbit holes, your current cam chain tensioner job will involve a small circlip and a small shouldered bolt and a small spring and a larger spring all of which have been held captive against their will since the bike was built on the Japanese assembly line.

Either one of which will scream "FREEDOM" louder than Mel Gibson did when wearing his insides on the outside & they will bolt for them rabbit holes just as soon as you free them up enough to do so.

;) then it will be you a screaming at them trying to get them out of the deep dark oily nook & cranny filled sump

Title: Re: Tensioner adjuster question
Post by drums1 on 12/29/10 at 20:25:16

Mileage--there's 19,600 on it--original chain and guides. I'll be checking the chain and guides tomorrow, in the daylight. If I run out of adjustment 1/2 to the wear limit on the chain, then I should be safe for a while yet.

OF--no problem with the clip, bolt or either spring. I used to be a boyscout.....I was prepared. Like I said, I had a couple shop rags draped over the entire open side....under the adjuster. Anything falling or jettisoning would hit the floor. And I must be a young, sturdy 54. My fingers had no problem holding it together, well beyond the 10-15 second limit.

Title: Re: Tensioner adjuster question
Post by Oldfeller on 12/29/10 at 21:27:15

Yeah yeah, feeble old man -- I know.

Not like I don't get reminded often enough by reality, but now Drums has got to tell me out loud no less .....

Still, for the delicate handed ladies among us (or the feeble old men) it is still a good trick to know about once you have a second hole to put the bit but into anyway. Makes the job a lot easier especially when your holes put you most of the way into full compression.

And you did ask how to kept the ratchet pawl from engaging when you didn't want it to engage, so I told you.

;D

Title: Re: Tensioner adjuster question
Post by drums1 on 12/31/10 at 06:36:21

Very good. And I thank you.