SuzukiSavage.com - stretched cam chain

savagerider87

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stretched cam chain
08/03/13 at 21:30:32

hey guys, what i thought was a valve noise from my bike turned out to be a much more severe problem, the cam chain stretched from the maximum service limit of 5.01" to an insane 5.21". This blows my mind as to how this happened with only 21k on the clock, and i was wondering if anyone else has had this happen so prematurely? is it normal to have a chain stretch that much or did i get lucky as no damage resulted ( no damage to chain tensioner or guides thank god) Any thoughts?

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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: stretched cam chain Reply #1 - 08/03/13 at 21:39:36 YOu got 21 out of it!? Most get replaced around 15,, consider yourself watched over by higher powers, dead motors result from letting that spring get loose in there.,
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savagerider87

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Re: stretched cam chain
Reply #2 - 08/03/13 at 21:48:11

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 08/03/13 at 21:39:36:

YOu got 21 out of it!? Most get replaced around 15,, consider yourself watched over by higher powers, dead motors result from letting that spring get loose in there.,

yeah ive got like 3 or 4 more nothches to go on the adjuster, and dont know what caused it to stretch like that, must be a freak thing guess i had a leprechaun on the back with me Wink

are u talking about 21k miles or .21"?

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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: stretched cam chain Reply #3 - 08/03/13 at 21:55:55 I cant remember where I was on the clock when I did the chain, wanna say around 15,000 miles,, I cant see it makin 21,000,, I dont think I had 6 more in it,, others have lost engines at less than 21,000 miles. If youre keepin it, you really otta do the Verslavy
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savagerider87 Full Member Offline Riding a quality Japanese machine since '13 Posts: 224 Northern NY Gender:	Re: stretched cam chain Reply #4 - 08/03/13 at 22:08:49 thats next on the list
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Cloudy Junior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 95 Gordonton, New Zealand Gender:	Re: stretched cam chain Reply #5 - 08/03/13 at 22:14:20 I did my wifes (bike that is) at 15,000 km. adjuster was out at 19mm.
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savagerider87 Full Member Offline Riding a quality Japanese machine since '13 Posts: 224 Northern NY Gender:	Re: stretched cam chain Reply #6 - 08/03/13 at 22:16:14 Cloudy wrote on 08/03/13 at 22:14:20: I did my wifes (bike that is) at 15,000 km. adjuster was out at 19mm. at 19mm, about how many notches is that?
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verslagen1

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Re: stretched cam chain
Reply #7 - 08/03/13 at 22:42:45

are you sure you measured it correctly?

I don't believe it possible to be stretched that far and the plunger still be in.

verslagen1 wrote on 01/24/10 at 22:48:58:

Couldn't find the detailed sketch I know is in the SSM.
This picture shows new on top and a used chain on the bottom.
And he's measuring the stretch over about 14", not the required 21 pin measurement.
So, stretch out the chain like shown, and it would be good to stretch it a bit. One end on a nail, the other with a bungee cord, weight, whatever. count off 21 pins, measure from center to center, but left edge of the pin to left edge is the same.
127mm or 5" is brand new.
service limit is 128.9mm or 5.075"
While you got it in your hand, check for any stiff links.
I'd replace it if you have any.

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savagerider87

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Re: stretched cam chain
Reply #8 - 08/03/13 at 22:49:54

verslagen1 wrote on 08/03/13 at 22:42:45:

are you sure you measured it correctly?

I don't believe it possible to be stretched that far and the plunger still be in.

verslagen1 wrote on 01/24/10 at 22:48:58:

Couldn't find the detailed sketch I know is in the SSM.
This picture shows new on top and a used chain on the bottom.
And he's measuring the stretch over about 14", not the required 21 pin measurement.
So, stretch out the chain like shown, and it would be good to stretch it a bit. One end on a nail, the other with a bungee cord, weight, whatever. count off 21 pins, measure from center to center, but left edge of the pin to left edge is the same.
127mm or 5" is brand new.
service limit is 128.9mm or 5.075"
While you got it in your hand, check for any stiff links.
I'd replace it if you have any.

http://www.ls-650.de/techfotos/steuerketten.jpg

yeah i measured it against the ssm, and i have a new one on order, the adjuster is good and the tensioner and guides are spotless, so im stumped as to what caused this any thoughts?

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Steve H Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 1223 Spartanburg, SC Gender:	Re: stretched cam chain Reply #9 - 08/04/13 at 07:45:32 IIRC the prevailing theory is that heating and cooling cycles contribute most to the chain stretching.
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Dave

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Re: stretched cam chain
Reply #10 - 08/04/13 at 07:51:54

savagerider87 wrote on 08/03/13 at 22:08:49:

thats next on the list Wink

You've been a member here for 6 months.....and you somehow have missed all the cam chain discussions during that time?

If you have it apart far enough to measure the chain....you might as well put a new chain in a put it back together. Then make arrangements to ge the the Verslagen before you drive the next 12,000 miles.

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Toroso

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Re: stretched cam chain
Reply #11 - 08/04/13 at 12:06:46

Dave wrote on 08/04/13 at 07:51:54:

savagerider87 wrote on 08/03/13 at 22:08:49:

thats next on the list Wink

You've been a member here for 6 months.....and you somehow have missed all the cam chain discussions during that time?

If you have it apart far enough to measure the chain....you might as well put a new chain in a put it back together. Then make arrangements to ge the the Verslagen before you drive the next 12,000 miles.

How difficult is it to replace the cam chain?

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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28887 L.A. California Gender:	Re: stretched cam chain Reply #12 - 08/04/13 at 12:11:45 By judging how hard it is too look it up in the tech sect must print near impossible for some.
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Oldfeller--FSO Serious Thumper ModSquad Offline Hobby is now "concentrated neuropany" Posts: 12673 Fayetteville, NC Gender:	Re: stretched cam chain Reply #13 - 08/04/13 at 12:25:30 I hate it when you talk a post into your phone and it slurs your speech -- "Aggravating it is" sez Master Yoda. "Longer to fix than to do" sez he.
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Re: stretched cam chain
Reply #14 - 08/04/13 at 13:12:18

Steve H wrote on 08/04/13 at 07:45:32:

IIRC the prevailing theory is that heating and cooling cycles contribute most to the chain stretching.

I would say that heating and cooling cycles is not the cause, but cold start-ups having to build oil pressure each time would be the cause of excess chain wear.

Now you can say thats also heating and cooling cycles but heating and cooling cycles in themselves is not the cause of wear but starting from cold with zero oil pressure will hasten premature wear if excessive starts verses miles driven. Just my opinion.

And I too don't understand that much wear and the plunger not coming out. Huh

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