SuzukiSavage.com - Newbie, and tensioner headaches

K1200LTryder

Ex Member

Newbie, and tensioner headaches
04/10/07 at 05:01:38

Hello folks, I'm very glad I've found this forum. I've been reading as much as I can find about the inherent timing chain/tensioner problems, and since the Savage is a new addition, I know I'm going to have to tackle this issue ASAP.

First of all, what is the parts cost of a new tensioner, and sliders, and the chain itself.

2nd, are these OEM parts, or are aftermarket parts available ?

3rd, can the job be done with the engine in the bike, or better off pulling the engine out and "bench" repairing?

Thanks for the help, I'm glad to see there are lots of Thumper Guru's here !

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Savage_Rob Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Mechanically Inclined Amateur Posts: 6972 Texas (Dallas area) Gender:	Re: Newbie, and tensioner headaches Reply #1 - 04/10/07 at 05:37:12 Do a few searches and you'll get a lot of information on a few mods that folks are trying out. Otherwise, try places like www.RonAyers.com and look at the fiche for OEM parts. I am unaware of any aftermarket versions other than the mods being designed/built/tested by owners.
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Max_Morley

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LT650 Luxury Touring
& sidecar rig

Posts: 1490
Moses Lake. WA
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Re: Newbie, and tensioner headaches
Reply #2 - 04/10/07 at 08:29:33

The job can easily be done inframe. unless you need to change the one guide that is held in place between the head and cylinder. Lots of information in the tech section and RSD on the issue and solutions. What we don't have is real answers to the cause and difference between bikes mileage between failure. Years ago on Bert's German forum, it only came up once and that was long distance commuter in San Diego that went about 90K miles before his came lose and noisy. Seems like the average now is in the mid 20K miles for an inspection at least. There is a unit made in Europe that allows the tensioner anchor to be moved that solves the looseness problem but not the resulting change in cam timing. Max

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Max at Thumper Acres. '96 Savage bagger, '03 Savage w/Cozy sidecar for wifeni.

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KenGLong

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2002 Savage

Posts: 297
Albuquerque, NM
Gender: male

Re: Newbie, and tensioner headaches
Reply #3 - 04/10/07 at 08:46:54

Max_Morley wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:04:

What we don't have is real answers to the cause and difference between bikes mileage between failure. Years ago on Bert's German forum, it only came up once and that was long distance commuter in San Diego that went about 90K miles before his came lose and noisy. Seems like the average now is in the mid 20K miles for an inspection at least.

I wonder what changed? Lower quality cam chain maybe?

Ken

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justin_o_guy Ex Member	Re: Newbie, and tensioner headaches Reply #4 - 04/10/07 at 08:49:48 I am WANting to find someone with access to liquid nitrogen so I can freeze the crap outta this new cam chain for a few days & then I intend to soak it in oil a day or so, so none of it will be dry at start.
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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28780 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Newbie, and tensioner headaches Reply #5 - 04/10/07 at 09:03:22 From what I see, half of the issues are caused by a combination of chain stretch, and/or guide problems. Not knowing the manufacturing history of these components will make it hard to pin point the problem.
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KenGLong Senior Member Alliance Member Offline 2002 Savage Posts: 297 Albuquerque, NM Gender:	Re: Newbie, and tensioner headaches Reply #6 - 04/10/07 at 09:11:42 justin_o_guy wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:04: liquid nitrogen What will the freezing do? Ken
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justin_o_guy Ex Member	Re: Newbie, and tensioner headaches Reply #7 - 04/10/07 at 09:13:48 Ther have been some experiments with cryogenics on engine blocks & pistons & other high stressed parts & it gave them a longer service life. I can't begin to splain how or why. Maybe it's another one for the Mythbusters??
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Savage_Rob Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Mechanically Inclined Amateur Posts: 6972 Texas (Dallas area) Gender:	Re: Newbie, and tensioner headaches Reply #8 - 04/10/07 at 09:49:33 I would assume that it might slightly increase the molecular density.
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K1200LTryder Ex Member	Re: Newbie, and tensioner headaches Reply #9 - 04/10/07 at 10:07:19 Interseting comments, I guess the problem cannot be solved just by replacing the tensioner. How much is this fix going to cost ???
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Savage_Rob

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Re: Newbie, and tensioner headaches
Reply #10 - 04/10/07 at 10:11:31

K1200LTryder wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:04:

Interseting comments, I guess the problem cannot be solved just by replacing the tensioner.

How much is this fix going to cost ??? Shocked

The mods are various workarounds and are not currently readily available here. I've tried corresponding with the designer of the German mod about purchasing one from him and he is not responding to my emails. So far as replacing parts, you'll have to crack yours open and assess what needs to be replaced and then look at someplace like RonAyers.com to price those parts. This assumes you'll be doing your own work.

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K1200LTryder Ex Member	Re: Newbie, and tensioner headaches Reply #11 - 04/10/07 at 11:35:49 Yes Rob, I'll be doing the work myself. I figure if I can handle all the maintainence on the BMW and CBX, this little gem should be a treat to work on. I'm getting the factory shop manual for it tomorrow, and that should be a great help. ( plus willing to share any info from it here also).
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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28780 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Newbie, and tensioner headaches Reply #12 - 04/10/07 at 11:38:37 Chain $70 Gaskets $20 Tensioner $40 The grin on your face when you're done - priceless. (round numbers estimates) German kit $200 Machining/Welding to avoid buying German kit - 6 pack of beer. Doing it my way and it actualy works - priceless x 10
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K1200LTryder Ex Member	Re: Newbie, and tensioner headaches Reply #13 - 04/10/07 at 11:44:37 That aint to bad there verslagen....interested on what "your way" is ???
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Savage_Rob

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Re: Newbie, and tensioner headaches
Reply #14 - 04/10/07 at 12:46:11

K1200LTryder wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:04:

I figure if I can handle all the maintainence on the BMW and CBX, this little gem should be a treat to work on.

No doubt about that. That's one of the things I find most attractive about this bike. I had to add the qualifier though. This site really has a wide range of abilities and experience and sometimes folks want to know what something would cost including labor. Personally, I don't have a lot of experience wrenching but I do have a little. I'm not afraid of tools and can read shop manual. Sometimes that means I bite off more than I can chew but hopefully not often. I have less than 9K miles on mine, so I haven't made a point of opening it up yet. I plan to replace my clutch springs sometime this spring/summer and will assess the cam chain components at that time.

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