SuzukiSavage.com - cam chain tensioner

paulorlo YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 11	cam chain tensioner 04/16/13 at 05:01:21 I own a 1997 Suzuki LS650 Savage with 5,400 miles on the odometer. I want to remove the right side engine cover to inspect the tensioner and measure the plunger extrusion from its barrel. Do you have to remove the exhaust pipe to get to the lower bolts in removing this engine cover? Thanks
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Dave

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Re: cam chain tensioner
Reply #1 - 04/16/13 at 06:29:19

When I did it.....I removed the muffler heat sheild, right footpeg and brake pedal, and the exhaust system. I laid the entire bike down on the left side to make things easier to access, and to keep oil from dripping out and making a mess. I removed the seat and tank before leaning it over so I didn't accidently scratch the tank - but you don't have to. I have a 165 pound trials bike that has to be laid over to fill the oil so I was used to doing this....but somehow it seemed a bit odd to lay the 350 pound Savage over to work on it.

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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28886 L.A. California Gender:	Re: cam chain tensioner Reply #2 - 04/16/13 at 07:20:59 yes, youi do. instructions http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1191167029
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: cam chain tensioner Reply #3 - 04/16/13 at 08:47:51 Goin in awful early,, unless youve got some reason to suspect theres a problem, seems like an exercise in How to waste time & money.
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Bubba Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 956 Denver, CO Gender:	Re: cam chain tensioner Reply #4 - 04/16/13 at 09:04:24 ^agreed...unless you suspect something different...I replaced mine at 11000 and even then I probably had about 3mm to go (riding hard) but since I was in there I replaced it...
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paulorlo YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 11	Re: cam chain tensioner Reply #5 - 04/18/13 at 04:38:25 Thank you for all of the replies.
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runwyrlph

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Re: cam chain tensioner
Reply #6 - 04/18/13 at 11:17:28

Bubba wrote on 04/16/13 at 09:04:24:

^agreed...unless you suspect something different...I replaced mine at 11000 and even then I probably had about 3mm to go (riding hard) but since I was in there I replaced it...

+1
I just did mine this spring at 20,400 mi - the plunger was out, but not all the way - I would have said about 1/8" or more to go.

It actually didn't take that much time, I was able to save the gasket, so not really any money either.

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paulorlo YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 11	Re: cam chain tensioner Reply #7 - 04/18/13 at 11:45:58 What remedy has everone used to fix the problem? Modified tensioner/ new stock tensioner with chain and guides/ other.
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Dane Allen

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Re: cam chain tensioner
Reply #8 - 04/18/13 at 14:53:10

paulorlo wrote on 04/16/13 at 05:01:21:

I own a 1997 Suzuki LS650 Savage with 5,400 miles on the odometer.

The skeptic in me is questioning a 16 year old bike with only 5,400 miles. I am going to replace mine before 1,500 miles just to get it over with. After personally seeing the demonstration and the new unit I value the pushrod/piston keeper most. The spring may slack out but the pieces will not separate at all.

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RIP!! 01/2012-09/2016 S40 Boulevard, Raptor Pet, Rotella T6 Synth, Verslavy CC Tensioner -- You left too soon.

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S40_TRAV YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 11 canton,ohio Gender:	Re: cam chain tensioner Reply #9 - 08/13/16 at 16:00:21 My 05 just rolled 10,250...got the bike with just over 5,000...I've ridden her kind of hard here and there...so with that said should I check it when I do the next oil change or sooner?...I don't know if I'm paranoid but I think I hear more engine chatter than before...i know there will be some mechanical noise
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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28886 L.A. California Gender:	Re: cam chain tensioner Reply #10 - 08/13/16 at 16:06:54 It doesn't hurt to be a little paranoid. It hurt's when it let's go on you and you have to push it home. http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?board=tech;action=display;num=1191167029
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Robawf YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 16	Re: cam chain tensioner Reply #11 - 08/29/16 at 15:54:58 I concur, preventive maintenance=no wasted time or money.
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Kris01 Serious Thumper Offline Eat, sleep, RIDE! Posts: 3767 Tennessee Gender:	Re: cam chain tensioner Reply #12 - 08/29/16 at 18:11:20 S40_TRAV wrote on 08/13/16 at 16:00:21: I don't know if I'm paranoid but I think I hear more engine chatter than before...i know there will be some mechanical noise Ever set your valve lash?
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: cam chain tensioner Reply #13 - 08/29/16 at 18:56:11 What is the lowest mileage that anyone found the tensioner extended close to Disaster?
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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28886 L.A. California Gender:	Re: cam chain tensioner Reply #14 - 08/29/16 at 19:04:39 That is difficult to say. Somewhere between 5 and 8 kmiles. Without the plunger extension being 18 or longer gives an imprecise number.
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