Cam Chain tensioners

JETPIRATE · 08-24-2015, 09:46 PM

My 2007 Vulcan just tuned over 9000 mls. Wondering at what point should I check the cam chain tensioners for hitting their limits.

**ringadingh** · 08-24-2015, 09:58 PM

I wouldn't worry about them for quite a while yet. Perhaps check them at about 25-30k.
A lot of fellas seem to install them far too soon, I did mine at about 55k and they were out of travel but not rubbing on the spark plug tubes. If your a smooth gentle rider you will get a lot more life out the the tensioners than an aggressive rider will.

tonik · 08-24-2015, 09:59 PM

Way too soon in my opinion. Check after 20k. Although it doesn't take much to check the right side, that will give you piece of mind if it is bothering you.

JETPIRATE · 08-24-2015, 10:17 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. Plan on a good 10000 ml check and wondering if the cam chain tensioners should be checked as well since I know they have been a problem with this engine. I ride Old Man smooth so I guees I'll wait awhile before I check them.

Thanks Again.

mick56 · 08-25-2015, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JETPIRATE

Thanks for the replies guys. Plan on a good 10000 ml check and wondering if the cam chain tensioners should be checked as well since I know they have been a problem with this engine. I ride Old Man smooth so I guees I'll wait awhile before I check them.

Thanks Again.

Some bloke's have done up to 70,000 mile's before they needed the extender's,i did mine at about 42,000.

**Teachme** · 08-25-2015, 04:43 AM

Did mine at 44,000

Scottie31 · 08-26-2015, 05:41 PM

I have 77,000 km (48,000 miles) on my bike and as far as i know they have never been changed. I ordered the parts to tackle this myself after the bike rally next week. Not sure if I need them yet but at least I'll have everything to do them. I was going to take the bike to the dealer to have it done but they had no clue what I was talking about and suggested maybe have the valves adjusted.

redjay · 08-26-2015, 05:50 PM

The valves are hydraulic and need no adjustment, ever.
In Canada you can order the cam chain extenders through the dealer.
The gaskets don't cost much but if you break them and don't have replacements on hand the dealer will be a minimum of 3 days trying to get them.
You will need a vice and some red (permanent) Loctite for the install.

mick56 · 08-26-2015, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redjay

The valves are hydraulic and need no adjustment, ever.
In Canada you can order the cam chain extenders through the dealer.
The gaskets don't cost much but if you break them and don't have replacements on hand the dealer will be a minimum of 3 days trying to get them.
You will need a vice and some red (permanent) Loctite for the install.

I just scraped the old gasket off and used gasket sealer,no problem with oil leak's. And i'd be giving that dealer a swerve from here on in.

redjay · 08-26-2015, 07:44 PM

Very little in stock at Kawi dealers in Canada. Most parts have to be ordered and then you wait until they arrive.

Scottie31 · 08-26-2015, 08:31 PM

I ordered the extenders, gaskets and o-rings. Figured it would be best to have everything just in case.

bluedad · 08-26-2015, 08:34 PM

Just order them from Chuckster's
http://www.chucksterscustoms.com/Home/Products
They're something around $30
I ordered a set last month, but haven't got around to putting them on yet.

Scottie31 · 08-26-2015, 08:40 PM

Interesting.....can't wait to see what I get from the Kawasaki dealership. Iwas told the extenders were only $3.00 each

redjay · 08-26-2015, 08:45 PM

You should get the same as Chucksters extenders.

sg67 · 08-15-2016, 07:06 PM

hello

I did extenders of cam chain tensioners on my bike, bought to Chucksters too. Received in 2 weeks to the France. I followed the recommendations read here and also in the workshop manual. It was actually not complicated. I removed the left footboard and also the left crankcase for rotation the engine manually and use the TDC position marks.
Serge

08-24-2015, 09:46 PM	#1
JETPIRATE Jr. Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Monroe,NC Posts: 17	Cam Chain tensioners My 2007 Vulcan just tuned over 9000 mls. Wondering at what point should I check the cam chain tensioners for hitting their limits. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-24-2015, 09:58 PM	#2
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	I wouldn't worry about them for quite a while yet. Perhaps check them at about 25-30k. A lot of fellas seem to install them far too soon, I did mine at about 55k and they were out of travel but not rubbing on the spark plug tubes. If your a smooth gentle rider you will get a lot more life out the the tensioners than an aggressive rider will. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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08-25-2015, 04:43 AM	#6
Teachme Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Woodleaf ,NC Posts: 418	Did mine at 44,000 __________________ 2001 Vulcan Nomad 1500cc Carbed Model.
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08-24-2015, 09:59 PM	#3
tonik Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cleveland Ohio Posts: 714	Way too soon in my opinion. Check after 20k. Although it doesn't take much to check the right side, that will give you piece of mind if it is bothering you.
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08-24-2015, 10:17 PM	#4
JETPIRATE Jr. Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Monroe,NC Posts: 17	Thanks for the replies guys. Plan on a good 10000 ml check and wondering if the cam chain tensioners should be checked as well since I know they have been a problem with this engine. I ride Old Man smooth so I guees I'll wait awhile before I check them. Thanks Again.
	0

08-26-2015, 05:41 PM	#7
Scottie31 Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Moncton, NB, Canada Posts: 63	I have 77,000 km (48,000 miles) on my bike and as far as i know they have never been changed. I ordered the parts to tackle this myself after the bike rally next week. Not sure if I need them yet but at least I'll have everything to do them. I was going to take the bike to the dealer to have it done but they had no clue what I was talking about and suggested maybe have the valves adjusted.
	0

08-26-2015, 05:50 PM	#8
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,978	The valves are hydraulic and need no adjustment, ever. In Canada you can order the cam chain extenders through the dealer. The gaskets don't cost much but if you break them and don't have replacements on hand the dealer will be a minimum of 3 days trying to get them. You will need a vice and some red (permanent) Loctite for the install.
	0

08-26-2015, 07:44 PM	#10
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,978	Very little in stock at Kawi dealers in Canada. Most parts have to be ordered and then you wait until they arrive.
	0

08-26-2015, 08:31 PM	#11
Scottie31 Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Moncton, NB, Canada Posts: 63	I ordered the extenders, gaskets and o-rings. Figured it would be best to have everything just in case.
	0

08-26-2015, 08:34 PM	#12
bluedad Jr. Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Sumiton, AL Posts: 18	Just order them from Chuckster's http://www.chucksterscustoms.com/Home/Products They're something around $30 I ordered a set last month, but haven't got around to putting them on yet.
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08-26-2015, 08:40 PM	#13
Scottie31 Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Moncton, NB, Canada Posts: 63	Interesting.....can't wait to see what I get from the Kawasaki dealership. Iwas told the extenders were only $3.00 each
	0

08-26-2015, 08:45 PM	#14
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,978	You should get the same as Chucksters extenders.
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08-15-2016, 07:06 PM	#15
sg67 Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Saint Brieuc - France Posts: 43	hello I did extenders of cam chain tensioners on my bike, bought to Chucksters too. Received in 2 weeks to the France. I followed the recommendations read here and also in the workshop manual. It was actually not complicated. I removed the left footboard and also the left crankcase for rotation the engine manually and use the TDC position marks. Serge
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