Cam chain tensioner extenders

hurke · 05-04-2022, 09:54 AM

I have a 2001 VN1500 with 21,000 miles and I'm about to add extenders to my cam chain tensioners. Hopefully, this will take care of the noise I'm hearing. From the youtube videos on the subject, it looks like something I can handle. My question is, is this just a temporary fix, and will the chains continue to stretch anyway and need to be replaced? If so, does anyone know about how many more miles I can gain by adding the extenders before having to replace the cam chains? Also, does anyone who has done this extender job before have any tips or suggestions before I get started? Thanks.

redjay · 05-04-2022, 10:35 AM

The Vulcan engine is noisy by nature. You are at a fairly low mileage to be doing the extenders. The extenders help to take up the initial wear in the chain from new. Have you removed the extenders to see how far the mechanism is extended ? There is a pawl and ratchet that keeps the extender from retracting. How many teeth does the mechanism have left before the mechanism is fully extended ? Someone will hopefully be along to explain how to position the cylinders before removing the extenders for the inspection. If you decide to install the extenders a good vice is a must.

**ringadingh** · 05-04-2022, 01:12 PM

I think you will be adding the extenders far too soon, I'd probably wait until at least 40,000 miles.
Im sure that the stock extender still has a few clicks of travel left to go.

mick56 · 05-05-2022, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ringadingh

I think you will be adding the extenders far too soon, I'd probably wait until at least 40,000 miles.
Im sure that the stock extender still has a few clicks of travel left to go.

I agree. I fitted them at about 35,000m and think that was too soon. I think it made the chains stretch prematurely, and they were totally shagged by about 65,000m.

Brydgy · 11-01-2022, 11:00 AM

Resurrecting this thread with a question.
I have 80,000kms (50,000 miles) on my ‘03 Nomad and have not done the extenders. I can’t hear anything from the engine that would make it appear to warrant the extenders. Am I playing with fire here or should I wait until I hear some form of different engine noise?

ldhthept · 11-01-2022, 11:09 AM

Just check how much run out you have left on tensioners.

Mechaniac · 11-01-2022, 10:33 PM

In my business quality of oil and maintenance directly relates to wear.

mick56 · 11-02-2022, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mechaniac

In my business quality of oil and maintenance directly relates to wear.

I believe, how the bike is ridden,is also a factor. Constantly changing gear, and accelerating hard, on winding country lanes, will wear a cam chain much faster, than riding at a constant speed, on long straight roads.I have heard of people on here, with 200,00 miles on original chains. Mine were totally fucked at about 65,000.I :put extenders in at about 35,000 miles. cheers:

Brydgy · 11-02-2022, 08:29 AM

I agree mick. I don’t ride very hard and miles are mostly cruising the backroads.
Oil is changed end of every season (approx. 5000kms) with Rotella T6.
I will do a quick check per Idhthept suggestion but will most likely change next season.
Thanks for input.

mick56 · 11-02-2022, 08:47 AM

You probably wont hear any noise anyway,i never did. Just take the plug tubes out, and check for scoring marks, where the chain has hit them. No marks, no problem. If there are, fit the extenders.

Brydgy · 11-07-2022, 04:26 PM

OK. I was out of travel on the rear jug and one click on the front. Everything has gone smoothly for the rear yet I have a question about the front. As I am trying to put the cap back on the tensioner goes out to almost level with the top of the adjuster body due to the spring force. Is this normal as I didn't notice this happening on the rear?

mick56 · 11-07-2022, 05:02 PM

Have you put it back together correctly ? That 8mm bolt on the side, should stop the tensioner moving, When you get it back on the bike, and tightened up, release it, until you hear it snap into position. It is easy to put the cup inside, the wrong way around.

Brydgy · 11-07-2022, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick56

Have you put it back together correctly ? That 8mm bolt on the side, should stop the tensioner moving, When you get it back on the bike, and tightened up, release it, until you hear it snap into position. It is easy to put the cup inside, the wrong way around.

Hey Mick. Yes it is assembled properly with the bearing locked down by the 8mm bolt. When putting the cap on with the smaller spring, the force of it makes the tensioner go down to level with the adjuster body where it stops. I feel that it is too far down yet don't really know for sure.

Brydgy · 11-07-2022, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brydgy

Hey Mick. Yes it is assembled properly with the bearing locked down by the 8mm bolt. When putting the cap on with the smaller spring, the force of it makes the tensioner go down to level with the adjuster body where it stops. I feel that it is too far down yet don't really know for sure.

I just did a quick measure to the spot where the extension head would rest and it appears to be about the same travel the tensioner would go down before contact making it even with the top of the adjuster body.

mick56 · 11-07-2022, 05:40 PM

Did you wind the engine round on the crank, to get the timing marks lined up ? Back and front, have different marking, and the valves need to be in the right position, for the chain to be slack enough. I cant remember, if you have to rotate it backwards, or not. Help, from a wiser man, or woman

than me, will be along shortly.

05-04-2022, 09:54 AM	#1
hurke Jr. Member Join Date: May 2022 Posts: 1	Cam chain tensioner extenders I have a 2001 VN1500 with 21,000 miles and I'm about to add extenders to my cam chain tensioners. Hopefully, this will take care of the noise I'm hearing. From the youtube videos on the subject, it looks like something I can handle. My question is, is this just a temporary fix, and will the chains continue to stretch anyway and need to be replaced? If so, does anyone know about how many more miles I can gain by adding the extenders before having to replace the cam chains? Also, does anyone who has done this extender job before have any tips or suggestions before I get started? Thanks. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-04-2022, 01:12 PM	#3
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	I think you will be adding the extenders far too soon, I'd probably wait until at least 40,000 miles. Im sure that the stock extender still has a few clicks of travel left to go. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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11-01-2022, 11:00 AM	#5
Brydgy Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada Posts: 115	Resurrecting this thread with a question. I have 80,000kms (50,000 miles) on my ‘03 Nomad and have not done the extenders. I can’t hear anything from the engine that would make it appear to warrant the extenders. Am I playing with fire here or should I wait until I hear some form of different engine noise? __________________ Brydgy 2003 Nomad 1500Fi V & H pipes MS Batwing Meanie spring with Judges washers Phat risers ‘97 Royal Star rear fender rack Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

11-02-2022, 08:29 AM	#9
Brydgy Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada Posts: 115	I agree mick. I don’t ride very hard and miles are mostly cruising the backroads. Oil is changed end of every season (approx. 5000kms) with Rotella T6. I will do a quick check per Idhthept suggestion but will most likely change next season. Thanks for input. __________________ Brydgy 2003 Nomad 1500Fi V & H pipes MS Batwing Meanie spring with Judges washers Phat risers ‘97 Royal Star rear fender rack
	0

11-02-2022, 08:47 AM	#10
mick56 Sr. Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: The Newforest, England Posts: 4,664	You probably wont hear any noise anyway,i never did. Just take the plug tubes out, and check for scoring marks, where the chain has hit them. No marks, no problem. If there are, fit the extenders. __________________ when this you see, remember me, and bear me in your mind, let all the world say what they may, speak of me as you find.
	1

05-04-2022, 10:35 AM	#2
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,929	The Vulcan engine is noisy by nature. You are at a fairly low mileage to be doing the extenders. The extenders help to take up the initial wear in the chain from new. Have you removed the extenders to see how far the mechanism is extended ? There is a pawl and ratchet that keeps the extender from retracting. How many teeth does the mechanism have left before the mechanism is fully extended ? Someone will hopefully be along to explain how to position the cylinders before removing the extenders for the inspection. If you decide to install the extenders a good vice is a must.
	0

11-01-2022, 11:09 AM	#6
ldhthept Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tallahassee FL Posts: 1,034	Just check how much run out you have left on tensioners.
	0

11-01-2022, 10:33 PM	#7
Mechaniac Member Join Date: May 2022 Location: Magnolia, Texas Posts: 81	In my business quality of oil and maintenance directly relates to wear.
	0

11-07-2022, 04:26 PM	#11
Brydgy Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada Posts: 115	OK. I was out of travel on the rear jug and one click on the front. Everything has gone smoothly for the rear yet I have a question about the front. As I am trying to put the cap back on the tensioner goes out to almost level with the top of the adjuster body due to the spring force. Is this normal as I didn't notice this happening on the rear? __________________ Brydgy 2003 Nomad 1500Fi V & H pipes MS Batwing Meanie spring with Judges washers Phat risers ‘97 Royal Star rear fender rack
	0

11-07-2022, 05:02 PM	#12
mick56 Sr. Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: The Newforest, England Posts: 4,664	Have you put it back together correctly ? That 8mm bolt on the side, should stop the tensioner moving, When you get it back on the bike, and tightened up, release it, until you hear it snap into position. It is easy to put the cup inside, the wrong way around. __________________ when this you see, remember me, and bear me in your mind, let all the world say what they may, speak of me as you find.
	0

11-07-2022, 05:40 PM	#15
mick56 Sr. Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: The Newforest, England Posts: 4,664	Did you wind the engine round on the crank, to get the timing marks lined up ? Back and front, have different marking, and the valves need to be in the right position, for the chain to be slack enough. I cant remember, if you have to rotate it backwards, or not. Help, from a wiser man, or woman than me, will be along shortly. __________________ when this you see, remember me, and bear me in your mind, let all the world say what they may, speak of me as you find.
	0