Cam Chain Tensioner Springs

[ndbigfish]

Just a word of caution: be careful when you install your cam chain tensioner extensions. I had the large spring break and the end made its way to the oil screen. Additionally, a spring is not available as OEM. Now the search for a spring begins......as I'm not paying $94 for a new tensioner!

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Wow, that is tough. Sorry to hear about your problem. Seems like I remember posts about people getting springs but can't recall where now. Might do a search of the posts about cam tensioner and find the info you need.

[ringadingh]

Thats the first one Ive ever heard of breaking. If you find a spring supplier they should be able to find one thats real close or better. There was a supplier here I used to deal with at another job years ago, that had all kinds of springs. Good luck in your search.

[macmac]

Oh man that would give me a heart attack... It's a good thing you came by that hunk of spring again and fast.... ouch

[hammer]

Is the cam chain tensioner problem on 1500's only or is it carried over to the 1600s.

[ndbigfish]

The spring failure is probably a tributed to incorrect installation after a prior inspection and not a design or component failure. Just be careful with the large spring in the tensioner. I would not recommend trying to inspect the tensioner on the rear cylinder with the exhaust in place. I would personally obtain a new gasket and o-ring, remove the tensioner and inspect it. Then I would reset and install it per the service manual. It is cheaper to buy and replace a tensioner gasket and o-ring than to buy the assembly to get the large spring.

[macmac]

Yes the same problem happens where the tensioner runs out of travel IN. I don't know how the spring broke, but I have the feeling it was human error one way or another.

Installing a extender before it's time isn't going to work. You can't just slam one in, and call it good. If the chain hasn't stretched enough to need this add on, you don't and CAN'T use it period.

Some of when the time is right for this part is due to miles, but not all, some depemnds on how the individual riders rides.


If every green light is seen as being at the drags, and you ride that most of the time the chain with grow longer faster, and the cogs the chain rides on will grow smaller faster.

For the better part somewhere are 30,000 is the time to investigate the situation, and at that time having the part in hand is a good idea, but having the parts doesn't mean installing them is a good idea.

No one would install new brake pads if they have 1/2 of life left.....

These chains REQUIRE Slack. They won't run well at all BULL tight.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by hammer

Is the cam chain tensioner problem on 1500's only or is it carried over to the 1600s.

1500's, 1600's and probably the 1700's too.

[Cajunrider]

Had the same spring break after inspection. Caught it yesterday while installing the extenders. As ndbigfish stated, the safest way to inspect the assembly for remaining travel is to remove the cap, measure travel, and remove the entire assembly and reset as per the service manual. I think what happens is the end of the spring can work its way between the bearing and retainer wall as the cap is screwed back on. This puts a bind on the spring and eventually breaks it. About 5/16" of the flat end of the spring broke off. Not enough to worry about. The broken piece was in the back side of the retainer behind the small bearing.

[Top Cat]

Originally Posted by macmac

Yes the same problem happens where the tensioner runs out of travel IN. I don't know how the spring broke, but I have the feeling it was human error one way or another.

Installing a extender before it's time isn't going to work. You can't just slam one in, and call it good. If the chain hasn't stretched enough to need this add on, you don't and CAN'T use it period.

Some of when the time is right for this part is due to miles, but not all, some depemnds on how the individual riders rides.


If every green light is seen as being at the drags, and you ride that most of the time the chain with grow longer faster, and the cogs the chain rides on will grow smaller faster.

For the better part somewhere are 30,000 is the time to investigate the situation, and at that time having the part in hand is a good idea, but having the parts doesn't mean installing them is a good idea.

No one would install new brake pads if they have 1/2 of life left.....

These chains REQUIRE Slack. They won't run well at all BULL tight.

My bike is in the shop for a new steering head bearing. $$$
I gave the mechanic the extenders and asked if he would put them in for me. He said yes. Now, if I understand correctly, I can't put them in unless my tensioners are worn out?
My bike has 40,000 miles on it. I ride conservatively. Do you think I will have a problem if i have them put in?

[ringadingh]

Originally Posted by Top Cat (TC)

My bike is in the shop for a new steering head bearing. $$$
I gave the mechanic the extenders and asked if he would put them in for me. He said yes. Now, if I understand correctly, I can't put them in unless my tensioners are worn out?
My bike has 40,000 miles on it. I ride conservatively. Do you think I will have a problem if i have them put in?

You won't know for sure until he removes the cap and checks the extender for travel. Im guessing its probably going to be able to be installed with no problem. I didn't install mine until about 55k but Im sure I could have put them in a little sooner had I wanted.

[jd01]

As Ring said, only positive way to know is to remove the caps to check travel. But I'm guessing, at 40K miles, it's fairly safe to say you're close, if not out of travel and should go ahead with it. Did mine at 42K miles and just judging by the rattle my engine was making before the extenders went in, probably could have done it a little sooner also.

[Cajunrider]

I'd bet yours are ready TC. I ride like a Pa Pa. Not aggressive but I do pull a trailer most of the time on long trips.

[jandreu]

This is an interesting point about the way the bike is ridden vs the mileage before the cam chain stretches out. While I don't Hot Rod my bike you could say I am aggressive. As well all my riding is stop and go plus a lot of down shifts and up shifts. If i get 30 minutes at 60mph I'm lucky. Living on an island I don't get the long distance mileage but I bet the wear and tear factor should easily double my mileage compared to a mainland rider.

[ringadingh]

If you do a lot of starts and stops on the bike it will stretch the timing chain quicker than riding on long interstate trips. Just check it once in a while and youll see when its time to install the extenders.