When to replace the cam chain?
 

All
My 1988 Hurricane 1000 just turned 50k. I bought the bike with 34k on it. I have been wondering about the cam chain, when to change it. It makes the same noise now as when the bike had 34k. Slight rattle sound when cold then after warm up she is quiet. The bike runs like a bat out of hell, especially 7k and up. Most of my experience in mechanics is on car motors. Most cars I work on have a timing chain that rarely you have to change. I had a toyota 4cyl that I changed the timing chain at 187K. Point I am trying to make is I can see changing a belt on a regular interval but a chain should last at least 100k. Unless like alot here describe it makes noise all the time. If it ain't broke why fix it. Has anyone gone over 75 to 100k without changing the cam chain? I have no problem doing the change, in fact I bought a chain and tensioner and top guide a year ago because of what I have heard about the cam chains.

Your thoughts or experiences with this subject.
Matt

Yes, Mine had the 'rattle' so i replaced the cam chain tensioner (only) about 3,000 km ago. I've done 80,000 km.

Now super quiet, hot & cold.

I agree with you on the cam chain.

slight rattle when cold/quiet when warm = your cam chain is fine. It will get much noisier before it's ever time to replace it...and some never need replacing.

That said, 50k isn't a bad time to replace the tensioner. It's not very expensive, and will extend the life of the chain.

I have been wondering the same thing Not broke Do i fix?
My 93 is on 51k miles & the camchain doesnt rattle all the time, from cold she mite rattle a bit but sometimes she purrs like a kitten. Then when your riding with the engine under load (even gentle round town riding) shes quiet but when you shut the throtle Sometimes shes rattles.
As i say do i fix, the rattle isnt bad but am i damaging any internal organs.

Is it best to use Genuine Honda chain & parts or are pattern parts OK.

Ok my point of view

A much discussed subject here. The system for the tension on the cam chain is partly hydraulic, this is why it rattles until the pressure chambers has enough oil in it to build the correct pressure. Honda changed the length of the plunger to hold much more oil, hence more pressure. A lot of cars have that system and never have to replace their camchain my 3 saturns model S where in that category and we made over 200000 kms without problems.

My bike has 140000kms, I replaced the camchain tensioner with the new model, it rattles when cold until the pressure has built up ( it is a drip system to fill up the chamber, all ok when hot, to help i run 15w50 or 20w50 oil. My mechanic which is used by Honda Canada when they can't find the solution to a problem on a bike says if it does not make any noise hot, don,t touch it and i trust the guy.

I saw a hurricane which had camchain problems and beleive me after that i said my bike runs perfect! So until your hear the real sound of camchain problems you will think that your bike is noisy we should have a recordingthat poeple member can listen of a bike in problems to help them compare.

Shadow we had this discussion do you still agree with me?

Shadow we had this discussion do you still agree with me?

I agree with you Carl, my bike has had 4 camchains total and a new tensioner 20000K's back and it still sounds like a bucket of bolts when cold.
Some rattle, some don't. I don't know why.........

"Some rattle, some don't. I don't know why"


I used to have a '87 1000F, but at 57,000 km no sign of any rattle !... go figure.

The thicker oil is interesting. Does it make any difference ?

To me it does, for 3 yeard i have been running 15w-50 or 20-w-50 and it sounds mitghtily happy.

I'd have to agree with ya Carl the 20w 50 makes 'em rattle a bit less --- better oil
pressure maybe I reckon.