I know it's in the workshop manual somewhere, but I just can't find it. Anyone know the section for how to check the camchain for wear? I'm thinking mine is a bit worn as I can lift a single link about 1/2 way up a tooth on the cams, in the middle of the chain's run on the sprocket.
I suspect there is a measurement between a set number of links to check, but I just can't find it in the manual.
I only found measurement between drive chain links but noting for cam chain :whatever:
I can't find anything either
@Hooli but this article on camchain wear makes interesting reading - at your mileage it may be worth considering changing it as a matter of maintenance
https://www.diymotofix.com/blog/cam-chain-wear-and-replacement-tips1#
Yeah that matches my thinking on it too.
I helped a mate do valve clearances on a 23k Kwak Z1000 today, all the exhausts had closed up under spec! I tried lifting a link off a sprocket and got a lot less movement than on my 14's chain.
There must be a link to link measurement for the chain, its finding out what it is that appears to be the difficulty.
Quote from: Hooli on Monday, 19 October 2020, 08:35 AM
Yeah that matches my thinking on it too.
I helped a mate do valve clearances on a 23k Kwak Z1000 today, all the exhausts had closed up under spec! I tried lifting a link off a sprocket and got a lot less movement than on my 14's chain.
There must be a link to link measurement for the chain, its finding out what it is that appears to be the difficulty.
I went right thru the workshop manual looking for that and nothing - only gives it for the final drive chain.
I have also tried to find that measurement, but with no result.
I'm interested in too, if somebody finds it.
Thanks for looking chaps, proves I wasn't going mad at least.
Hooli, i rem old post from Teufel. Can remove tensioner and push adjuster tighter with screwdriver. Just goes one or two clicks.
Quote from: grog on Monday, 19 October 2020, 06:24 PM
Hooli, i rem old post from Teufel. Can remove tensioner and push adjuster tighter with screwdriver. Just goes one or two clicks.
Aye, I'm aware of that. But the adjuster only takes up the wear it doesn't fix it. The chain will still eventually wear to the point it fails which is what I don't want to happen.
I've been reading the manual again & it mentions changing the sprockets on the cams with the chain, but I don't think it mentioned the sprocket on the crank, if indeed that is a separate part.
Would be big job to change bottom sprocket. Cam sprockets sounds good insurance. At your mileage, obviously concerns you,id be doing chain, sprockets n tensioner. Are there guides to replace also? Havent had a read on it in manual. From doing high k car chains, gears/sprockets look ok, chain and guides always rooted. Some motors, Ford mainly, the guides break, big prob. Ill have a read up on 14.
Yes there are guides back & front as well.
I've been posting about it on the alt gathering FB page too. A comment on there reminded me of the obvious option - pop the cam chain tensioner out, if it's near the end of it's adjustment then the chain etc are worn enough to need replacing.
I wonder if these are interference engines or not? I rather suspect they are.
I've emailed Suzuki customer service, I wonder if I'll get anything useful back?
Suzuki's answer is 'ask your dealer', so no use at all really.
Quote from: Hooli on Tuesday, 20 October 2020, 06:49 PM
Suzuki's answer is 'ask your dealer', so no use at all really.
Well at least you got an answer Andy, even if it's about as much use as a chocolate teapot :lol:
@Hooli , I spoke to my mate today who is a bike mechanic and has run his own business since I was a courier in the 90's said that if your cam chain tensioner is at full extension and you can still lift a link off the sprocket change it as soon as possible before it jumps off for you and causes all sorts of damage.
That's very good 'Forum Spirit' Tally, even though it wasn't your problem, you asked a friend , found an answer & posted it here for everyone. Top man Tally! :onya:
@Tally Thanks for checking that, it matches my thoughts.
It'd just be nice to have a service length for the chain to check it before it gets that bad. I don't think my tensioner is at max as the bike is still nice & quiet, I will pop it out at some point to confirm that though.
Just a thought about sprockets, if the cam sprockets are worn the crank sprocket will be very worn, theoretically twice as much. Thats one thing I like about the GPZ900R everthing is on one side.
Quote from: Hooli on Wednesday, 21 October 2020, 06:56 AM
@Tally
Thanks for checking that, it matches my thoughts.
It'd just be nice to have a service length for the chain to check it before it gets that bad. I don't think my tensioner is at max as the bike is still nice & quiet, I will pop it out at some point to confirm that though.
My bike has 143,000 + km's on it. Last service my guy checked tensioner and said it was jammed. Once removed and cleaned it freed up and is like new. My bike has the original clutch plates in also. :cheers: :cheers:
Quote from: GSXKING on Wednesday, 21 October 2020, 09:04 PM
My bike has 143,000 + km's on it. Last service my guy checked tensioner and said it was jammed. Once removed and cleaned it freed up and is like new. My bike has the original clutch plates in also. :cheers: :cheers:
Your not flogging it enough.
Quote from: Irish in Oz on Thursday, 22 October 2020, 05:59 PM
Quote from: GSXKING on Wednesday, 21 October 2020, 09:04 PM
My bike has 143,000 + km's on it. Last service my guy checked tensioner and said it was jammed. Once removed and cleaned it freed up and is like new. My bike has the original clutch plates in also. :cheers: :cheers:
Your not flogging it enough.
Guess I'm not either as my clutch is original as well.
Quote from: Hooli on Thursday, 22 October 2020, 06:37 PM
Guess I'm not either as my clutch is original as well.
If the tensioner jams that's real slow.
Hooli, only engine failure ive heard of, 312 th ks, blamed timing chain. Who knows of service history, who knows if his tensioner was stuck like GSX was, who knows what really happened. If it worries you, change it.
Quote from: grog on Thursday, 22 October 2020, 07:14 PM
Hooli, only engine failure ive heard of, 312 th ks, blamed timing chain. Who knows of service history, who knows if his tensioner was stuck like GSX was, who knows what really happened. If it worries you, change it.
My current plan is to get someone I know with a low mileage 14 to let me check their valve clearances, I can compare how the chains lift off the sprockets then. Plus checking my tensioner isn't at max adjustment, I'm sure it's not jammed as the chain is still quiet.