SuzukiSavage.com - Chain tensioner

linwiz YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 19 Richmond, KY Gender:	Chain tensioner 08/22/15 at 08:40:09 Hello all. I am very new to bikes, and new to riding. I got my 96 LS650 a few weeks ago (and haven't rode yet!) and I am wondering if there is a way to check the chain tensioner without having to have a new gasket for reassembly?
Back to top	IP Logged

Dave

YaBB Moderator
ModSquad

Offline

SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 18098
Camp Springs, Kentucky
Gender: male

Re: Chain tensioner
Reply #1 - 08/22/15 at 08:48:45

You have to take off the clutch cover. Most times it will not come off without tearing the gasket someplace. It is better to have a new gasket just in case......

How many miles are on the bike? Between 10,000 and 20,000 miles is the point that we expect the cam chain problem to first show up. If the previous owner rode hundreds of miles every time he fired up the bike......it might go longer - but the only way to know is to look.

Back to top

Someday I will be old......But not today!

IP Logged

verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28884 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Chain tensioner Reply #2 - 08/22/15 at 08:58:29 If you have one of those video inspection scopes maybe you can poke it in thru the oil fill port, but there's not much room for it.
Back to top	Versey's Place Tech Section Index IP Logged

linwiz

YaBB Newbies

Offline

SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 19
Richmond, KY
Gender: male

Re: Chain tensioner
Reply #3 - 08/22/15 at 09:07:21

Dave wrote on 08/22/15 at 08:48:45:

You have to take off the clutch cover. Most times it will not come off without tearing the gasket someplace. It is better to have a new gasket just in case......

How many miles are on the bike? Between 10,000 and 20,000 miles is the point that we expect the cam chain problem to first show up. If the previous owner rode hundreds of miles every time he fired up the bike......it might go longer - but the only way to know is to look.

13k miles, but I know this bike hasn't had the best life. It was previously owned by a minor, so probably looking at short trips, not sure how long she had it though. Just like I will be making short trips to start out.

Back to top

IP Logged

Boogie_with_Stu Senior Member Offline Look Ma, no hands! Posts: 280 Raleigh, NC Gender:	Re: Chain tensioner Reply #4 - 08/22/15 at 11:42:35 Gaskets are cheap, and a leak would suck...so do the math Versy has made a believer out of me. Knowing the bike was probably not very well cared for, and having 13K on her....I'd buy a gasket and check it, even if you arent experiencing any issues at the moment. Just my 2 cents.
Back to top	03 Savage, Pearl Novelty Black,Raptor mod, Boulevard seat, Rectifier mod -'07 Honda Nighthawk 250 stock IP Logged

justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Chain tensioner Reply #5 - 08/22/15 at 18:33:35 And if the tensioner spits its guts, it's dead... we saw one that let the tube out, and didn't destroy the engine... but we've seen a few that were ruined. And we've seen Pro Feshunnel mechanics destroy them doing an oil change.. filters Can be installed bakkerds,,, but, motor don't get oil.. And, usually blows up the oil filter cover..
Back to top	The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion.- Edmund Burke. IP Logged

linwiz YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 19 Richmond, KY Gender:	Re: Chain tensioner Reply #6 - 08/22/15 at 19:46:39 What is either the best place to order a gasket, or the cheapest place to order one? Sorry for asking such simplistic questions, but I am used to working on cars, so I feel pretty lost in my new venture.
Back to top	IP Logged

justin_o_guy2

Serious Thumper

Offline

What happened?

Posts: 55279
East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.

Re: Chain tensioner
Reply #7 - 08/22/15 at 19:56:34

I went through that. The bike is unfamiliar, intimidating,
I bought my gasket from a shop. They stuck a CD in a machine, and a
Printer looking doohickey with a sharp point printed the gasket. Fourteen bucks, no credit card online, no waiting... The only downside is the glue ridges on the OEM aren't there, but you can study the old one and see.

Back to top

The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion.- Edmund Burke.

IP Logged

Kris01 Serious Thumper Offline Eat, sleep, RIDE! Posts: 3767 Tennessee Gender:	Re: Chain tensioner Reply #8 - 08/22/15 at 20:01:59 http://www.ronayers.com/oemparts/a/suz/50d32f00f8700232d0b3d798/crankcase-cover
Back to top	There's no problem that a full tank of gas and a sunny day can't fix! 2008 S40, Rotella T 15W-40 w/ZDDP added, Dyna, 140/90-15, Battery Tender Jr., Seat lift, #52.5/150/3 washers, Raptor IP Logged

linwiz YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 19 Richmond, KY Gender:	Re: Chain tensioner Reply #9 - 08/23/15 at 08:49:49 Thank you all for the information!
Back to top	IP Logged

digitaltrucker YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 28	Re: Chain tensioner Reply #10 - 08/23/15 at 13:02:17 I wonder if the clutch cover could be machined to take a rocker inspection cap. It'd be easier to remove the two bolts in that just to take a peek. How about just making a hole in it and sealing it with a rubber body plug? There can't be that much pressure behind it. ...thoughts?
Back to top	IP Logged

verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28884 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Chain tensioner Reply #11 - 08/23/15 at 14:24:50 the area that you need to see is behind the oil filter.
Back to top	Versey's Place Tech Section Index IP Logged

digitaltrucker

YaBB Newbies

Offline

SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 28

Re: Chain tensioner
Reply #12 - 08/24/15 at 04:36:48

What I was thinking, Versy is some sort of way to peek inside and see where the pin is when using one of your adjusters. For instance, I just installed your adjuster (very nice!) but I still used the first hole, as the second would have far too tight - but it won't be after a while. Bike has 10K on it now. Even if you had to use a pen light and see at an angle it'd do the job. Just wondering if it's even possible (or advisable in any case).

Back to top

IP Logged