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/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> How long do these bikes usually last? /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1299543956 Message started by kevin r. on 03/07/11 at 16:25:55 |
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Title: How long do these bikes usually last? Post by kevin r. on 03/07/11 at 16:25:55 I know it depends on how well it was maintained and whatnot but how long should I expect my bike to last? Mine currently has 50k on it and it still sounds great. I will look at the cam chain tensioner during my next oil change. Thanks guys! Kevin |
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Title: Re: How long do these bikes usually last? Post by Reelthing on 03/07/11 at 16:51:09 If you don't let it run dirty or plum out of oil - and take care of the dang cam chain business who knows - but what does last last really mean? If I had to replace the clutch discs or bore/re-ring it and keep on going would it still be "lasting"? |
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Title: Re: How long do these bikes usually last? Post by kevin r. on 03/07/11 at 17:03:28 I consider that inevitable work at some point. If the motor seizes is when would say it's dead haha small parts can always be replaced. |
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Title: Re: How long do these bikes usually last? Post by BurnPgh on 03/07/11 at 17:26:06 i dont think anyone's motor has ever seized. Some have been run dry on oil and ruined cam journals and rocker arms. Some have neglected (at 50k you way way way way overdue) the cam chain tensioner issue and dropped valves essentially destroying the top end. Other than those two things i dont know that any other BIG failure has occured. Jet it correctly, keep the cam chain in check, keep the oil full and as long as you dont go poking around too deep you should be good for a long time. |
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Title: Re: How long do these bikes usually last? Post by gerald.hughes on 03/07/11 at 17:43:34 Everything has an expected life span. Obviously, if you replace parts when they wear out (Which I am committed to doing ), the bike will last forever. |
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Title: Re: How long do these bikes usually last? Post by Boofer on 03/07/11 at 18:32:13 Just my opinion. If you pay $500 for a bike and run it four years or say, 20,000 miles, I'd say it lasted long enough. But if you just love it and want to keep it going no matter what it takes, then I'd say that's long enough. To answer your question, I don't know. :-/ |
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Title: Re: How long do these bikes usually last? Post by Max_Morley on 03/07/11 at 20:02:53 My '96 bagger has over 40,000 miles on it. On the German site that went down years ago, one San diego commuter ran close to 100,000 before the came chain failed. Fixed it and his wife was driving it that was probably about the time this board started. Max |
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Title: Re: How long do these bikes usually last? Post by Southpaw on 03/07/11 at 20:46:04 I don't know from an engineering aspect, but I'm planning on running mine 'til the fenders plumb fall off! ...or my son talks me out of it when I can't ride anymore! ;) These thumpers got a good heart, too bad Suzuki doesn't invest more in the line! |
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Title: Re: How long do these bikes usually last? Post by kevin r. on 03/08/11 at 15:37:30 I bought the bike with 50k on it. Haven't ridden it much yet but I plan on checking the tensioner and chain when I change the oil before I actually put this thang on the road. |
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Title: Re: How long do these bikes usually last? Post by MotoBuddha on 03/08/11 at 16:30:35 25382B3D277F7C7C4E0 wrote:
Or, instead of spending the money to try to get a bit more out of a chain that has stretched out of spec (and is putting the cam slightly out of proper timing in the process) I think it's better to get a new chain. Sure, it's a little more work to replace the chain than installing a modded tensioner, but the tensioner doesn't fix the underlying problem. What the modded tensioner is good for is keeping the plunger from popping out when you've neglected the chain for a long time and it has stretched too much. It won't keep the chain from stretching, though. So once the plunger reaches its limit yet the chain keeps stretching, it will eventually get long enough to start causing serious timing problems. It might even start skipping gear teeth, then it's, "Say hello to Senior Piston, Mr. Cam." |
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Title: Re: How long do these bikes usually last? Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/08/11 at 18:13:23 67455E45685F4E4E424B2A0 wrote:
Or, instead of spending the money to try to get a bit more out of a chain that has stretched out of spec (and is putting the cam slightly out of proper timing in the process) I think it's better to get a new chain. Sure, it's a little more work to replace the chain than installing a modded tensioner, but the tensioner doesn't fix the underlying problem. What the modded tensioner is good for is keeping the plunger from popping out when you've neglected the chain for a long time and it has stretched too much. It won't keep the chain from stretching, though. So once the plunger reaches its limit yet the chain keeps stretching, it will eventually get long enough to start causing serious timing problems. It might even start skipping gear teeth, then it's, "Say hello to Senior Piston, Mr. Cam."[/quote] I agree up to here. So once the plunger reaches its limit yet the chain keeps stretching, it will eventually get long enough to start causing serious timing problems. The mod has been in use for enough miles to show this to not be a concern, IMO. Timing Is somewhat retarded & the resultant engine performance conditions will be there, but not so bad as t cause people to whine about lost performance. IF someone noticed such a power loss & decided to not address the cam chain, then that person shouldnt have done the mod. It might even start skipping gear teeth, then it's, "Say hello to Senior Piston, Mr. Cam."[/quote] The chain pitch isnt so changed as to cause it to jump a tooth, as long as tension is kept on the chain & thats what the mod does, is keep tension on the chain. |
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Title: Re: How long do these bikes usually last? Post by verslagen1 on 03/08/11 at 19:16:32 1F3D263D102736363A33520 wrote:
Or, instead of spending the money to try to get a bit more out of a chain that has stretched out of spec (and is putting the cam slightly out of proper timing in the process) I think it's better to get a new chain. Sure, it's a little more work to replace the chain than installing a modded tensioner, but the tensioner doesn't fix the underlying problem. What the modded tensioner is good for is keeping the plunger from popping out when you've neglected the chain for a long time and it has stretched too much. It won't keep the chain from stretching, though. So once the plunger reaches its limit yet the chain keeps stretching, it will eventually get long enough to start causing serious timing problems. It might even start skipping gear teeth, then it's, "Say hello to Senior Piston, Mr. Cam."[/quote] 1st, why are you pushing him in a direction he hasn't yet even thought of? Checking the tensioner every so often is good practice. 2nd, most often when the plunger is about to fall out, the chain is still well within spec. 3rd, I have 2 bikes, 1 with 46k on it, another with 40k on it. Both standard stock chains from the factory as far as I know. Each are probably close to 3/4 of max allowed stretch. No timing issues. Sure they aren't spring chickens any more, but they still get me there. 4th, As long as the plunger holds the rear guide in place, there is enough tension on the chain to keep the teeth engaged with the sprockets. I tried best I could to pull the chain thru with the plunger collapsed, couldn't do it. In fact, if the chain gets to the point of tip to tip contact, it will jam on the case. Of course that was with a chain that was half stretched. |
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Title: Re: How long do these bikes usually last? Post by MotoBuddha on 03/09/11 at 05:26:24 Okay, so I guess I exaggerated the possible negative effects. |
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Title: Re: How long do these bikes usually last? Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/09/11 at 16:18:25 mmmmmmm could beeee,,, |
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Title: Re: How long do these bikes usually last? Post by Serowbot on 03/09/11 at 16:23:41 56494F4855526353635B49450E3C0 wrote:
...but, if the unmodded plunger pops out,... Kerboom!... :-?... |
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Title: Re: How long do these bikes usually last? Post by kevin r. on 03/09/11 at 21:16:51 So if the plunger is falling out when I look in there would I be better off just buying the chain or is the tensioner itself the underlying problem? Thanks for all the info guys! |
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Title: Re: How long do these bikes usually last? Post by verslagen1 on 03/09/11 at 21:20:17 The plunger just keeps the tension on the chain, it does not wear out. My mod just allows you to get the full wear out of the chain and guides. |
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Title: Re: How long do these bikes usually last? Post by MotoBuddha on 03/10/11 at 05:23:35 3B26352339616262500 wrote:
IMO, the chain is the main problem. The stock tensioner is doing the best it can under the circumstances, but it has its design limitations, which verslagen1 has done an excellent job addressing. Or, to put it another way, if the chain didn't stretch so much, the stock tensioner would be fine. As for me, I got the modded tensioner and a new chain. It might be overkill, but... |
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Title: Re: How long do these bikes usually last? Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/10/11 at 09:15:43 New guides would likely be a great idea. |
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