So, I got a savage over the weekend. A 1996 with 13k miles. Such a great bike. I made sure before the deal was made to check for cam chain noises and I didn't hear a thing. So I rode it home (about 90 miles) and after two days I noticed the dreaded cam chain noise. So, I got out my tools to inspect everything and not only was the tensioner over extended, it had fallen apart. I know what the noise was now....

So my question is what do I need to do now? obviously, fix the cam chain tension. However, the spring that was supposed to be in the tensioner was chewed to bits (I got two very small pieces out) but the body and plunger seem to be in okay condition (with a modification or two). But what else do i need to do? I know with my honda twin when my cam chain went slack I needed to redo my timing. Do I need to do that with the savage as well?

So things I need clarification on:
1. What kind of spring do I need for the tensioner and can I pick one up locally? (I am either going to get a Verslavy mod or do something like it on my own)
2. Do I need to set/check the timing? and if so how do I do that?
3. When should I think about getting a new cam chain.
4. Is there anything else I should check out right now?

I do have some experience with working on motorcycles (also doing a engine rebuild right now on my cl350 ) but I couldn't find any threads where someone has had their tensioner fall completely apart (but then again maybe I just didn't search the right things) Any help would be greatly appreciated.

What counts as surviving?

Haha, I guess I am wondering if I should expect bent valves when I tear everything apart. Or if there is anything else I should look for when checking the timing to determine if I am one of the few survivors.

After reading up on everything today I plan on tearing in to check timing tomorrow. I'll let you know what happens.

Verslagen1, Do you have specs on the spring so I can look for one locally? Also how much would you sell one for?

Anyone have a favorite place to buy parts? (like a cam chain, maybe the guides too)

main spring dim's
old Ĝ .384, wire Ĝ .040, 2.80 length
new Ĝ .330, wire Ĝ .038, 2.66 length


$10 will cover the cost of the spring and shipping

yes you need to take off the clutch and primary gear.
you can thread the chain up or down, using gravity is easier.
But put it on the drive gear 1st then the cam gear.
The section in clymers is the engine section, just look for the pictures.  

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 04/22/16 at 13:06:44:

and the nut is stamped with an "L"


Serowbot wrote on 03/07/11 at 10:04:26:

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 04/22/16 at 14:53:40:


Yup, it's not.  

just hope it's tight.

Hey was wondering how this turned out for you, sadly I'm facing the same issue, wish id stumbled across these Cam tensioner threads sooner..
Were your valves ok?
So far my damage is broken Cam Chain and the Cam Chain sprocket is shattered. Sounds like a bearing in my crankshaft is out but I wont know what other damage I'm looking at till I get inside a little further. At the moment just sort of pulling it all apart, assessing damage, and deciding if the better financial choice would be repair or replace.