So I pulled the clutch cover today, I wanted to replace a leaky gasket with the oem suzuki one, and I figured while I was in there id take the tensioner out that I installed about 400 miles ago. I did it to put a dab of threadlocker on the threads that hold the plunger. I torqued the bolt down, and released the zip tie hiding the plunger back. I just let the force of the spring do it's work, but will it extend to where it was before?

Have you measured it?

So you can get an idea when you should be looking at it again, you need to know where it is now. Measure it, write it somewhere so you can find it.

If you can spin it with a fingernail, too loose.
Look at it. Take a small flat blade, push the tensioner onboard so it's not against the clip, use the blade to push the clip up and down, left and right. Is it seated in the groove? It's job is to stay there, and keep the tensioner on its mount. It's okay if you can turn it. But it should be closed on the groove.
Yes, you can open them too far. I've bent them back and used them on lots of stuff... but I would not do that on this part. A clip failure on a paper feed roller in a copier is one thing. Dropping the tensioner is a wholly different kinda screwup.

If it SNAPPED into the groove, it's probably fine. It's not something that you can grab and slide off. It's Gotta be opened up enough to go over the shaft.
If it required pressure to rotate, it's tight.

You can get them at the hardware store for under a buck.
Gaskets are like batteries.. never know what it's Not gonna put up with.
Put oil in before you put the exhaust on.

Well, if you are smart enough to do that, try slowing down, thinking, don't tighten it, just put a couple of bolt in, sleep on it.

This has got my interest. I'm going to be pulling the clutch cover myself sometime soon, and I'm wondering about the cheapest practical solution to the gasket issue. Is it better to buy a gasket or use gasket material? I gather there's a silicone trick, but if it's too easy to screw up, I'm not sure I would want to try it. Is it a wise idea? Does the old gasket usually work again or is it prone to problems?  

And what is this "gasket maker" thing?