Inmates,

What if any damage will occur if the cam chain is left to it's own destiny to make as much noise and rattle as it likes?

Aussie Johnno

 

Eventually, a great plague and pestilence will descend upon your house Johnno. Verily, the cam chain will chose to disengage itself from the shackles of tensioner and crank case that have kept its' free spirit constrained since when it was first encased back in the factory.

Just guessing; I understand thou' that earplugs will help to keep its' desire for freedom a bit more under control until the planets align for you?

 

It'll either break, in which case it'll probably destroy the engine or rattle and jump a few teeth on the cams, probably similar result, maybe not as conclusive as a broken chain but fairly serious - engine won't run anymore, but MAY be repairable.

Mine sounds like a bucket of bolts at idle, but I'm tired of replacing chains and tensioners, so now I just endure the rattle.

Thus endeth the sermon, thank you father TK. Pass the collection plate....................

 

Tensioner chain guide will get beat to ****, break up/off, then chain will get real
slack jump teeth & bend the valves, all in all another potentially sphincter tightening
moment in the southern hemi .

 

They're like a woman, they make all kinds of noise but sooner than later you need to listen to what they are trying to tell you or hell will rain down on you.

 

Mine rattles like hell in rain and shine. Sometime Al you, like me, will have to face facts or suffer the consequences.

...and I'm due.

Beyond due.

She still screams in the high revs, though.

I mean, really , really screams.

 

^The woman or the bike???

 

or
The rider ?

 

Does anyone know the life of the cam chain and tensioner? Mine makes a noise when it's cold then disappears in a mile or so. Bike is at 30k right now. My greatest nightmare is that something would happen I cant fix on it.

 

I did mine at 25k miles. I'm getting close to 60k and it has been making noise slightly when cold. I may replace it at 65 or 70K mi.

It depends on the oil and how frequently you replace it. Also ridding style makes a difference.