SavageDude wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12:I don't know all the mumbo jumbo about cam chain; but if you riding between 45-70 mph and depend on what gear you're on, your rpm compare to auto almost double. Therefore, common sense would tell that the cam chain wear out twice as fast. I don't know the exact rpm/mph between MC and car. I would give a more exact comparation. We have cam chain/ timing belt tensioner in car too. So it must be the relative RPM/MPH. Just my thought!
I've thought about the revs the thumper turns in exactly the same terms as you... As a comparison/ratio of what my truck turns. It's a 6 cyl. and at 65mph in OD it's only turning a bit over 2K. Without a tach on my Savage, and not doing the math, I'd guesstimate your "double" figure to be pretty close. Even at that rate, what should be an acceptable failure mileage for the cam chain or even the tensioner itself? 15K? 30K? 50K?
Just my opinion, but I'd think an average of 25K-30K miles would be an acceptable preventive maintenance point considering we are discussing an air cooled single cylinder motorcycle. I might do mine earlier (15K?) because I'm big, and I ride my bike HARD!
We do have to accept that most of the technology in the Savage is at least 20 or more years old. And even at that we don't even have the advantages of some known high mileage motorcycles from the past. No water cooling like the old "water bufflo" not even an oil cooler. Crude fuel and spark delivery systems by comparison to the EFI and EMS on modern day engines.
The Savage is what it is. Love it for what it is, improve it yourself, or...