The best indicator of the wear is the extension of the tensioner plunger.  If the plunger is out 18-20mm it is getting scary.  You then need to decide if the problem is the chain - or the rear guide that can lose the arch and flatten out a bit.

The work you are about to go through will not require you to remove the chain or loosen the crankshaft nut.......chain replacement will require that.  Most folks don't have to take the heads off, and installing the Verslagen tensioner extension is the easiest way to address the excess extension of the tensioner.

How many miles is on your Savage - how many more do you plan in riding it?

With just a little over 10K on the odometer, I suspect your cam chain has plenty of life remaining.  The rear guide, maybe not.  As Dave said, the Versy tensioner is the easy fix for the rear guide.

This old post might be helpful.

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1593671973/0#14

Thanks guys!  Springman, 50k plus sounds good!  Thats what I was hoping to hear and not 20k.  I would like to know how many miles Neal racked up before needing to replace the chain.  Or anybody’s mileage for that matter.  I’ll take the 50k+ answer for now!  Thanks for your input!! If this bike doesn’t have a Verslavy when I get in there, I’ll be getting one from Verslagen.  Then I would just need to decide on new or reconditioned!