After Thought

[sonny]

I have had time to put about 400mi on my bike since Dr. Zoom enlarged my cam chain tensioners. Prosthetics by The Chuckster. The engine sounds like it did when I bought it with 2150mi. All I can hear is the engine, no clatter of loose parts. The engine gradually, over 30k, became very noisey with out my noticing it. It feels comfortable winding the gears a little tighter, I think because there is no excess noise in the engine. I would not have believed that it had gotten to the point that it did without my noticing it. I am more relaxed riding now, I guess maybe because it sound right. I am posting this for those who think maybe their engine might be a little more
noisey than it should be, but aren't quite sure. Maybe check the cam chain tensioners.
And I understand that Dr. Zoom is taking new patience, has a tool kit and will travel and can be reached at BR549.
Thanks for your time.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I shouldn't be to that point yet as I only have a little over 10,000 miles on mine. It is strange how things that gradually develop isn't noticed. It is like shocks on a car you don't really notice you car isn't riding as well because it happens over time. Once you have them replaced it feels like you are floating on a cloud as opposed to riding in a wagon. Sure makes a lot of difference.

[cactusjack]

You throw a frog into a pot of boiling water and he will jump right out. Put him in a pot of tepid water and slowly increase the heat, and he cooks.

The noise of the cam chain tensioners builds slowly and you don't even really realize it. I felt the same way after doing mine. It quieted the engine right down.

[medicaldawg]

my engine has 70,000. Not sure if the tensioners have replaced. Its quite but if its under a load it rattles bad! :-[ any ideas? any body close to me that would volunteer to ride it and give me there opinion?

[cactusjack]

my engine has 70,000. Not sure if the tensioners have replaced. Its quite but if its under a load it rattles bad! :-[ any ideas? any body close to me that would volunteer to ride it and give me there opinion?

If you have 70k on the engine, you really should think about checking the tensioners. I'd bet they ran out of travel long ago.

[macmac]

my engine has 70,000. Not sure if the tensioners have replaced. Its quite but if its under a load it rattles bad! :-[ any ideas? any body close to me that would volunteer to ride it and give me there opinion?

OUCH...... In Neutral start the engine. With either a long metal rod or techs stethescope, or even your own medical riggin, listen to the area near the right rear and front left plug wells.

For the rear you can reach the throttle easy, for the ft you might need to be pretzelman http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif Rev till you hear the rattles and no more.

If you hear a hard rattle then you need extender adjusters bad.

[Scoot]

Ok I've got my extenders and need to change mine out. I've got 46,000 miles and just started hearing the bicycle chain sound. Do I have to take tensioner's cap off first or can I remove the whole thing first then take it apart? Looks like I will have to remove pipes too, may make it easier to get to them

[ringadingh]

Ok I've got my extenders and need to change mine out. I've got 46,000 miles and just started hearing the bicycle chain sound. Do I have to take tensioner's cap off first or can I remove the whole thing first then take it apart? Looks like I will have to remove pipes too, may make it easier to get to them

Go to Gadgets sight and follow the directions there, I didn't have to remove my pipes when I did it, but it would be a bit easier.
Its an easy job that sounds a little more complicated than it really is.

[ringadingh]

my engine has 70,000. Not sure if the tensioners have replaced. Its quite but if its under a load it rattles bad! :-[ any ideas? any body close to me that would volunteer to ride it and give me there opinion?

You can remove one of the tensioners, and will be able to see by looking at it if its already been changed.
It may be pinging that your hearing when its under load.

[zoom45]

We are going to replace Jim's at Sardis, MS soon. Maybe you can meet us there and do both bikes. Check the South Central board.
Zoom

[medicaldawg]

my engine has 70,000. Not sure if the tensioners have replaced. Its quite but if its under a load it rattles bad! :-[ any ideas? any body close to me that would volunteer to ride it and give me there opinion?

You can remove one of the tensioners, and will be able to see by looking at it if its already been changed.
It may be pinging that your hearing when its under load.
what would i do if its a pinging noise and not the tensioners

[macmac]

1998 1500 could be carbed or injected which is it?

[ndbigfish]

98 and 99 should be carburetor-ed Mac.

[macmac]

I thought carbed but have never seen a 98/99 to work on yet. 2000/01 could be both ways. If it pings it needs jets, and needs is key here. Ping is fire eatting up metal, but the listening test will confirm if it is a chain rattle or ping.

[skiman]

I wonder how far the cam timing moves with the worn chains

[shnyroq]

I agree, my bike is so much quieter now with the extenders on and IAC solenoids removed. It's even better than I thought it would be! My tensioners were only about two clicks from max travel at only 20k miles.