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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Tensioner on borrowed time.
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Message started by Ossk8r on 07/13/18 at 05:17:48

Title: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by Ossk8r on 07/13/18 at 05:17:48

The tensioner is out 20mm . If I replaced the tensioner with a new OEM will it automatically extend to the same point ? I didn’t want the bike down until I receive my Verslavy Tensioner.

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/13/18 at 05:33:47

A new tensioner looks exactly like the one in the bike.
Acts exactly the same.
And will not help you.

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by Papa Bear on 07/13/18 at 05:33:53

675B5B43105A280 wrote:

If I replaced the tensioner with a new OEM will it automatically extend to the same point ?

Yes.

Have patience ... ;)

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by Ossk8r on 07/13/18 at 06:10:53

That’s what I figured :'( I think I’ll roll the dice , close her up and ride until the mod gets here .

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by norm92de on 07/13/18 at 12:32:26

Ossk8r,
How many miles are on your bike?

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by LANCER on 07/13/18 at 12:46:33

Dude, you are risking a total engine failure. VERY EXPENSIVE.

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by JAGGUY on 07/13/18 at 13:52:04

This might not be the best place to ask this but I just checked mine today.
Is this the correct way to measure the tensioner plunger?

http://https://s26.postimg.cc/ck49f4x8p/tensioner.jpg (https://postimg.cc/image/5tns5pa2t/)

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by verslagen1 on 07/13/18 at 13:59:59

yes

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by Ossk8r on 07/13/18 at 16:10:41

19,633 miles

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by Serowbot on 07/13/18 at 16:38:36

Highway to the danger zone... ;D

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/13/18 at 17:31:34

Where you walk back home
And walk alone

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by Ossk8r on 07/13/18 at 18:22:59

[ch127922] [ch127922]

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by JAGGUY on 07/13/18 at 19:38:06

Dang, the modified tensioner isn't that expensive and should be quick to get.
The peace of mind far out weighs the cost. At least IMHO..
I checked mine today, took 20 minutes to get the cover off and it measured 16mm.
When the time comes I have a buddy with a tig welder that could extend mine but for the price verslagen1 charges I don't think it's worth putting the touch on a friend...

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by Ossk8r on 07/14/18 at 06:31:05

767D7B7B69653C0 wrote:

I agree . The tensioner is ordered , but this time of year Verslagen1 is busy and I would like to ride until I get the replacement .

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by bobert_FSO on 07/14/18 at 07:14:54

From the pictures, it looks like that plunger is already too far out. See how the plunger is not in line with the tensioner body? I wouldn't trust that thing at all. I wouldn't even button the thing back up. Sorry it cuts into your riding, but that thing is a time bomb. Actually, not a time bomb. At this point it is a random bomb.

Park that thing and find something besides riding to fill you time.

Rant time. I can't believe that Suzuki has let this problem continue to exist for 30 years. An engine that is destined to destroy itself within 10-20k miles. There is probably not a big enough group of owners to make it worthwhile, but this sounds like class-action suit material.

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/14/18 at 07:54:01

Replace the chain

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by faffi on 07/14/18 at 13:51:27

Sounds very similar to the doohickey issue Kawasaki have had since 1986 with their KLR650. Some bikes seems totally unaffected, others fail disastrously within short order from new.

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/14/18 at 15:55:41

746B6D6A7770417141796B672C1E0 wrote:

Replace the chain

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by Ed L. on 07/17/18 at 15:58:22

My '02 was out to 17mm after only 9,000 miles. Guess it has a lot to do with your riding style. I ended up doing the modification in my shop. It wasn't hard to do but I didn't include pin that Versy includes in his unit.

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by Ossk8r on 07/17/18 at 19:08:31

Took the advice of the group and decided to park the bike until the tensioner gets replaced . I will replace the chain this winter as not only am I still learning to ride but I’m learning to wrench on bikes as well . The bike is new to me , only put a few hundred miles on it so far and don’t think the previous owner did much maintenance. This site has been better than the clymers manual thanks all .

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/17/18 at 21:32:18

Put the Verslavy on.
Measure
Ride until you Think it's time.
Don't change the chain until the Verslavy is stretched out.

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by faffi on 07/18/18 at 13:05:26

I agree with Justin - the chain will have plenty of life left.

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by madmikesmech on 07/23/18 at 15:13:37

0B0006061418410 wrote:

That is ONE way to check,
But my preferance is with an open end wrench...
http://https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kgknUo9CBh0/W1ZO0cadNcI/AAAAAAAATY0/bVfwfR1YMPg-jA-Nrkm4ch3KUKyHJ3dLwCLcBGAs/s280/20170826_205919.jpg[ch129315][ch129315][ch129315] If I remember correctly that was an 18mm wrench.
Tensioner WAS replacwd with a Versey modified one[ch128513]

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by madmikesmech on 07/24/18 at 08:06:47

Correction, 3/4" wrench is what was used to compare tensioner extension in my pic, so thats like 19mm.

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by Ossk8r on 08/21/18 at 19:35:30

Tensioner received and installed,woohoo! (Thanks Verslagen)
Any tips as I replace the crank case cover ? I have a new gasket but the old gasket is all in one piece and looks great , would I be ok to use it and should I apply any type lubricant / oil on the gasket before installation?

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by GOF on 08/21/18 at 20:00:06

A grenaded engine will cut into your ride time way more than the wait for a part.

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by GOF on 08/21/18 at 20:01:21

714D4D55064C3E0 wrote:

That thing looks much better!

Title: Re: Tensioner on borrowed time.
Post by verslagen1 on 08/21/18 at 20:26:10

1428283063295B0 wrote:

pull the yellow tab.
i would use it