Chain tensioners

[drifter-paul]

Previous owner must have been a rev-head, I don't hang around - love that grunt.

Did you use the upgraded Mean Streak parts

[greenbarn]

Yes, I noticed mine slipping, only in higher gears, when I got it at around 20K miles.  Plate was worn down almost to a knife edge...   

[drifter-paul]

You have replaced the clutch diaphram plate ?

I did mine, close to critical at 50K miles, I should have done it at 40K to be safe - long before I did notice slip, the plate was wafer thin.

Order the parts using the Mean Streak 1600cc parts - this is a known weakness in the Vulcan 1500 - fixed for the Mean Streak , hence there are 3 parts instead of the 2 for the 1500.

Compare the fiche to see the parts and the difference. It is a straight fit - 1/2 day, having a new gasket for the big cover gasket is playing safe, but you can get away with. I did this at 80K miles, so I would not have to do it again in my lifetime. 

[greenbarn]

I guess I should check mine this winter, then.  It currently has less than 30K miles, but everything else seems to go bad on it pre-maturely.  It had a bad neck bearing and clutch was slipping when I bought it at 20K. I think most people got more than that out of theirs. 

[RockinRollin]

I am going to keep this in mind when I get to 50 K miles. Good to know!

[drifter-paul]

Yes Greenbarn,

the tubes are what I called  the plug "collars" in my message.. The right side one was scoured and the plastic camchain guide was also cracked. Read the article in Mods /maintenance links for how to check your tensioners' remaining travel. There is a rod extender mentioned in there as well.

[greenbarn]

I was worried about  mine.  At 80,000 miles (when ARE you guys going bloody metric !). I removed the tensioners and checked the remaining throw left  - AND it was borderline minimum.

Paul, it seems I've read that the chains will hit the spark plug tubes (if I can remember correctly) if they are too loose.  Is that right?  Did you see any indication of that?  I only have about 30K miles on mine, but it's kind of noisy so thought maybe I'd tear it down this winter.

[drifter-paul]

I was worried about  mine.  At 80,000 miles (when ARE you guys going bloody metric !). I removed the tensioners and checked the remaining throw left  - AND it was borderline minimum.

Then, actually stripped down to the frame and redid wiring loom, cams, EPA etc etc etc -

BUT what I noticed of interest to you, was that the forward left sparkplug area (and therefore rear right also) have a cylinder around them.

I would suggest - after 50,000 miles
1 - Remove the left forward/right rearward plugs. Then remove the plug "collars", internal hex (22mm +). If there is a scuff mark around the throat of these collars when removed,    then replace tensioners IMMEDIATELY with new ones.
2 - if OK then gently remove the tensioners, after having read the instructions on this site, and check for useage wear, then replace/or purchase the extender rod mod, as per this site, then gently re-insert them as per instructions.

Short answer, ifyou are a non-thrasher but enthusiastic user, 50K Miles, and then check every 10,000.

[greenbarn]

That's a good question..  I have not heard much on the subject of this -  I know it's a somewhat noisy engine anyway, but I've read some things that say the sign of out of adj. chains is the excessive chain rattle noise.  But what is excessive, eh?

[bikerbob5864]

At approx. what mileage should one be checking for wear on the cam chain tensioners?