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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Cam chain adjuster
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Message started by piedmontbuckeye on 12/03/16 at 15:15:44

Title: Cam chain adjuster
Post by piedmontbuckeye on 12/03/16 at 15:15:44

I have read through the thread on the modified adjuster by Verslagen (?) and plan on purchasing one before next riding season.

Here, though is my question that I haven't seen any discussion on:

I read a reference to, and had a person over the phone mention, the fact that the adjuster has some sort of ratcheting mechanism that will hold the cam chain tight (and sometimes too tight throughout the thermal expansion/constriction cycles). Is there a pic somewhere that I can see how this mechanism works?

Thanks in advance!

Title: Re: Cam chain adjuster
Post by old.indian on 12/03/16 at 16:05:56

I have one in my S 40.... There is NO "ratcheting" action. It is spring loaded as is the factory adjuster. The factory unit will reach a certain length and separate causing catastrophic engine failure. Varsi's will NOT come apart and has an additional adjustment hole.
You can see pictures of Varsi's adjuster in the "Marketplace" section.

Title: Re: Cam chain adjuster
Post by Kris01 on 12/03/16 at 17:00:05

I'll save you the trouble! ;D
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1338489898

Verslagen's adjuster allows for you to use the full life of the cam chain. The stock adjuster maxes out and comes apart before the cam chain is stretched. He also adds a provision for the adjuster stay together and not separate and move around the engine causing damage.

Title: Re: Cam chain adjuster
Post by norm92de on 12/03/16 at 19:11:05

PMB,
There is a ratcheting mechanism on the cam chain tensioner.
If the tensioner pawl has taken up a tooth on its ratchet when the engine is cold. The thermal expansion of the engine, which is about .025" between the camshaft and the crankshaft is too much for the system to accommodate. The poor cam chain is under tremendous tension at this point and will only be relieved when the chain stretches a bit. This happens whenever a tooth is taken up on the ratchet mechanism when the engine is cold.

You can see the tensioner on 'The Motorcycle Handyman' which can be downloaded from our website.

I believe Verslagen has come up with a fix for this problem which should help to extend cam chain life. :)