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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Cam Timing Chain Service Life?
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Message started by ThumperPaul on 12/12/23 at 06:38:00

Title: Cam Timing Chain Service Life?
Post by ThumperPaul on 12/12/23 at 06:38:00

I don’t have a service manual, just a Clymer manual. I know all bikes are different and not ridden the same, but is there a ballpark mileage for the service life of the timing chain? I know, I know - I should measure it to see if it’s in spec.

(My 2012 Ford F-150 has 130k miles and I’ve never given thought to the timing chain.)

Title: Re: Cam Timing Chain Service Life?
Post by Dave on 12/12/23 at 07:04:00

The best indicator of the wear is the extension of the tensioner plunger. If the plunger is out 18-20mm it is getting scary. You then need to decide if the problem is the chain - or the rear guide that can lose the arch and flatten out a bit.

The work you are about to go through will not require you to remove the chain or loosen the crankshaft nut.......chain replacement will require that. Most folks don't have to take the heads off, and installing the Verslagen tensioner extension is the easiest way to address the excess extension of the tensioner.

How many miles is on your Savage - how many more do you plan in riding it?

Title: Re: Cam Timing Chain Service Life?
Post by ThumperPaul on 12/12/23 at 07:13:44

Thanks Dave. I forgot about the guides that could cause untrustworthy measurements from the CCT plunger.

I bought this bike thinking it would be an easy fixer-upper and then I screwed the pooch. It has about 10,700 miles. It’s had several previous owners. It came with a VM36 carb and aftermarket exhaust. So someone along the way tinkered with it. In the next few days I plan to remove the clutch side cover and see what’s going on. It may already have a Verslavy CCT.

I’d prefer not to have to replace the timing chain obviously, but just thinking about all this.

Title: Re: Cam Timing Chain Service Life?
Post by DragBikeMike on 12/12/23 at 12:04:00

With just a little over 10K on the odometer, I suspect your cam chain has plenty of life remaining. The rear guide, maybe not. As Dave said, the Versy tensioner is the easy fix for the rear guide.

This old post might be helpful.

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1593671973/0#14

Title: Re: Cam Timing Chain Service Life?
Post by springman on 12/12/23 at 13:26:44

I don't have the expertise that Dave has. I can tell you though that my '06 S40 is approaching 50K miles with no issues with cam chain. I did install the versy cam chain tensioner at around 14-15k miles (and it was a good thing I did). Neal, if you read this, how many miles did you get before changing the cam chain? Neal has 2 of the highest mileage Savages around.

Title: Re: Cam Timing Chain Service Life?
Post by ThumperPaul on 12/12/23 at 14:00:30

Thanks guys! Springman, 50k plus sounds good! Thats what I was hoping to hear and not 20k. I would like to know how many miles Neal racked up before needing to replace the chain. Or anybody’s mileage for that matter. I’ll take the 50k+ answer for now! Thanks for your input!! If this bike doesn’t have a Verslavy when I get in there, I’ll be getting one from Verslagen. Then I would just need to decide on new or reconditioned!