Well, I finally decided it was time to replace the cam chain in the '02 (aka Thumper).    It's been on the Verslavy since it was young and spry, and it has started to feel it's miles (almost 80,000).
At the same time, I need to put a verslavy tensioner in the 10,000 mile '00 (aka Mad Hamish).
Opened both up.
Here is Mad Hamish:

16.5 mm out.  About right for 10k miles

Now, for the interesting picture.
Here is Thumper.  On the 2nd hole of the verslavy, and has been that way for a LONG time (since about 20k miles).  I was expecting the tensioner to be AT THE LIMIT on the 2nd hole.

Only about half way out???  

Another angle, trying to show how close the chain is to itself.


Well, it is what it is, but I can't explain WHY it is only half way out!

The modified tensioner goes in Mad Hamish so I can ride.


Still go a bit of room on the 1st hole, so I'll re-open around 20k miles or so and go to the 2nd hole then.

Unmod-ed tensioner headed your way Verslagen!!

I have all the other parts I need to replace the chain in Thumper (including the nitrided chain), except for that critical piece..  a big Round Tuit.  

I still don't know if I will do the valves and/or rings.  I got 140 psi compression, but it might be down from optimal due to poor timing on the stretched chain.

Serowbot wrote on 08/08/11 at 08:41:35:

A couple have (that we know of)  but more often it's a dropped valve or slipped chain.

can you still get those nitrided cam chains?