Cam chain tensioner extenders - Page 2

gerald · 09-27-2011, 04:01 PM

I changed mine at 54k and it was really straight forward if you follow the instructions on Gadgets page. The noise is gone.

magoo · 10-01-2011, 10:16 PM

I am not sure if the cam chain is making the noise on my bike or if I have a rattle somewhere. If the cam chain is stretched would you hear the cam chain rattle by hitting the throttle and listening while the bike is parked. My bike has about 32,000 miles and I hear this rattle occasional but not when I hit the throttle when parked. Also, I change my own oil and a some other basic work on the bike but I don't think I would take on installing the extenders. Just so I don't get ripped off, how long should it take to install the extenders.

fish · 10-01-2011, 10:42 PM

I'm in the same boat as you with 30,000

jonsamson · 10-01-2011, 10:45 PM

I had to change my cam chain tensioners out at about 21,000 miles. I would check, it will take about 10 min to check the left. Then you might as well order them, you will need them eventually, and you won't want to be waiting for them when you need to change them.

redjay · 10-02-2011, 08:59 AM

At 36,000 miles one tensioner was completely out of travel and the other one had 3 clicks left to go on the pawl.

**ringadingh** · 10-02-2011, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magoo

I am not sure if the cam chain is making the noise on my bike or if I have a rattle somewhere. If the cam chain is stretched would you hear the cam chain rattle by hitting the throttle and listening while the bike is parked. My bike has about 32,000 miles and I hear this rattle occasional but not when I hit the throttle when parked. Also, I change my own oil and a some other basic work on the bike but I don't think I would take on installing the extenders. Just so I don't get ripped off, how long should it take to install the extenders.

The extenders are easy to install, there is a great how to article on Gadgets fixit site. You could buy them at St. Onge and do it yourself. Unscrew the spark plug tubes and see if the cam chain is rubbing on it, if it is you will see the marks were it is cutting in to the tubes.
If it does cut through the tube you will have oil leaking out and running down the cylinders.

blowndodge · 10-02-2011, 12:14 PM

Actually if you have the service manual the instructions are pretty good!

I'm at 29K miles and probably before next rally in 2012, If I still have the Nomad I'll do it along with the heavy duty clutch spring and washers.. That is unless .................

gv550 · 10-02-2011, 02:52 PM

I installed the extenders fairly early, around 35,000 kms when there was still 4 clicks left on the tensioners. I did monitor the tensioner positions and they did continue to move out at about the same rate as before the extenders, so the chain continues to stretch. After 200,000 kms with the extenders in the tensioners still had 8 mm of travel left and if the chains continued to stretch at the same rate, would have been fully extended at around 350,000 kms.

rickyboy · 10-03-2011, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blowndodge

Actually if you have the service manual the instructions are pretty good!

I'm at 29K miles and probably before next rally in 2012, If I still have the Nomad I'll do it along with the heavy duty clutch spring and washers.. That is unless .................

Maybe a purple Harley in your future Brad !!;) ok maybe not purple

rickyboy · 10-18-2011, 11:22 AM

I have been wondering about doing the tentioner extenders. I have 40,388 kms. or 25,000 miles approx. on the Nomad.
I took the end cap off the right side yesterday and measured from the end of the rod to the end of the threaded "housing. The inside measurement. There was about a 1/4" distance. {does this make sense?} What is the opinion out there? Do they need to be done? I haven't noticed any noise, but if that starts gradually maybe I don't notice it getting louder.

blowndodge · 10-18-2011, 01:43 PM

Ricky, if your center rod is still sticking above the threaded portion where your cap came off your more than fine. It's only when it's roughly 1/3 inch below the top of that threaded cap porting that your out or almost out of travel.

rickyboy · 10-18-2011, 03:23 PM

No, the rod is inside by about 1/4 inch Brad

cactusjack · 10-18-2011, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickyboy

No, the rod is inside by about 1/4 inch Brad

If I remember correctly, I did mine around 32,000 miles. You probably have some miles left before yours are due, Rick.

Sin City Stan · 10-18-2011, 05:19 PM

So why the great difference in the amount of miles before the tensioners have to be replaced?

Could the increased life be attributed to Amsoil?????

blowndodge · 10-18-2011, 05:26 PM

I was thinking the same thing Stan!!

09-27-2011, 04:01 PM	#16
gerald Jr. Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Columbia SC Posts: 24	I changed mine at 54k and it was really straight forward if you follow the instructions on Gadgets page. The noise is gone. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

10-01-2011, 10:42 PM	#18
fish Top Contributor Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Aquashicola Pa. Posts: 6,377	I'm in the same boat as you with 30,000 __________________ I'm not prejudice I hate everyone equally;) 08 nomad blue/silver MaryJane 74,010miles VBA #299 Her's 10 900LT 36,700 09 Bath NY. 10 Lake George NY. 11 National Maggie Valley NC. 12 Pa Wilds (Wellsboro) Pa. 14 Lincoln NH. 17 National Lake George NY.
	0

10-02-2011, 08:59 AM	#20
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,927	At 36,000 miles one tensioner was completely out of travel and the other one had 3 clicks left to go on the pawl. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

10-02-2011, 12:14 PM	#22
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Actually if you have the service manual the instructions are pretty good! I'm at 29K miles and probably before next rally in 2012, If I still have the Nomad I'll do it along with the heavy duty clutch spring and washers.. That is unless ................. __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
	0

10-02-2011, 02:52 PM	#23
gv550 Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Listowel, Ontario Posts: 642	I installed the extenders fairly early, around 35,000 kms when there was still 4 clicks left on the tensioners. I did monitor the tensioner positions and they did continue to move out at about the same rate as before the extenders, so the chain continues to stretch. After 200,000 kms with the extenders in the tensioners still had 8 mm of travel left and if the chains continued to stretch at the same rate, would have been fully extended at around 350,000 kms. __________________ Garry 2009 1700 Voyager KACT, sold at 679,465 kms 2011 1700 Nomad Improve handling, suspension and tire life with Garry's Fork Brace. PM for details.
	0

10-01-2011, 10:16 PM	#17
magoo Jr. Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Barrie,Ontario Posts: 26	I am not sure if the cam chain is making the noise on my bike or if I have a rattle somewhere. If the cam chain is stretched would you hear the cam chain rattle by hitting the throttle and listening while the bike is parked. My bike has about 32,000 miles and I hear this rattle occasional but not when I hit the throttle when parked. Also, I change my own oil and a some other basic work on the bike but I don't think I would take on installing the extenders. Just so I don't get ripped off, how long should it take to install the extenders.
	0

10-01-2011, 10:45 PM	#19
jonsamson Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 209	I had to change my cam chain tensioners out at about 21,000 miles. I would check, it will take about 10 min to check the left. Then you might as well order them, you will need them eventually, and you won't want to be waiting for them when you need to change them.
	0

10-18-2011, 11:22 AM	#25
rickyboy Top Contributor Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: 108 Mile Ranch B.C. Canada Posts: 5,472	I have been wondering about doing the tentioner extenders. I have 40,388 kms. or 25,000 miles approx. on the Nomad. I took the end cap off the right side yesterday and measured from the end of the rod to the end of the threaded "housing. The inside measurement. There was about a 1/4" distance. {does this make sense?} What is the opinion out there? Do they need to be done? I haven't noticed any noise, but if that starts gradually maybe I don't notice it getting louder. __________________ Nomad'a What ! "rickyboy" Richard Cole Canada West Region 108 Mile Ranch, British Columbia Canada Vulcan Bagger Assoc. #00722 Black 2006 Nomad https://cdn2.iconfinder.com/data/ico...Book_32x32.png Last edited by rickyboy; 10-18-2011 at 11:27 AM.
	0

10-18-2011, 01:43 PM	#26
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Ricky, if your center rod is still sticking above the threaded portion where your cap came off your more than fine. It's only when it's roughly 1/3 inch below the top of that threaded cap porting that your out or almost out of travel. __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
	0

10-18-2011, 03:23 PM	#27
rickyboy Top Contributor Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: 108 Mile Ranch B.C. Canada Posts: 5,472	No, the rod is inside by about 1/4 inch Brad __________________ Nomad'a What ! "rickyboy" Richard Cole Canada West Region 108 Mile Ranch, British Columbia Canada Vulcan Bagger Assoc. #00722 Black 2006 Nomad https://cdn2.iconfinder.com/data/ico...Book_32x32.png
	0

10-18-2011, 05:19 PM	#29
Sin City Stan Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 3,746	So why the great difference in the amount of miles before the tensioners have to be replaced? Could the increased life be attributed to Amsoil????? __________________ Oldest Saloon In Nevada http://www.pioneersaloon.info/ "Sin City Stan" Henderson, NV VBA #01004 VROC #29365 2004 Nomad 1500L5 +100 "The Bike" 2009 Nomad 1700 (past) 2004 Vulcan Classic 800 (past) 2010 Cortez - 2011 Crescent City - 2012 Kanab - 2013 Estes Park
	0

10-18-2011, 05:26 PM	#30
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	I was thinking the same thing Stan!! __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
	0

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