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Posted by pcarrell
- October 08, 2015, 08:45:14 AMI'll look forward to any wisdom you can impart!
Posted by 99tango
- October 07, 2015, 23:00:52 PMQuote from: pcarrell on October 07, 2015, 20:37:02 PMPhil, I'd "sorta" like be up to that challenge, the photos & write-up and all. All the parts are on the way, extenders, new gaskets, and the special 27mm hex tool to remove and check the spark plug inserts. I'm committed, just waiting on some positive feedback from someone with a Drifter who has attempted it with the blasted air duct in the way. Even posted the same question over in the Vulcan forum, where some have successfully done it on Mean Streaks. Not sure the Drifter is exactly set up like the Mean Streak though. If no one posts back to my satisfaction, I'll do a parts comparison between the two model Vulcans and see where that goes.99, I haven't tried it, so I can't help you there, however, if you end up doing this job I'd be real interested in how you go about it and what you find. Can I suggest a full on mod thread with lots of pics and full descriptions? I know one hasn't been properly done on the forum and it would be highly beneficial to have for reference. I don't think I'm far behind you in needing this, and if nothing else, it'd benefit me.
Difficulty is you must lay on your back to see and get at the front tensioners. Very little room to get a hex key in there and work those things in and out, and tedious. But chances are I'm gonna attempt it, and will put something together that may help someone else. I'll post updates on how this goes.
Posted by pcarrell
- October 07, 2015, 20:37:02 PM99, I haven't tried it, so I can't help you there, however, if you end up doing this job I'd be real interested in how you go about it and what you find. Can I suggest a full on mod thread with lots of pics and full descriptions? I know one hasn't been properly done on the forum and it would be highly beneficial to have for reference. I don't think I'm far behind you in needing this, and if nothing else, it'd benefit me.
Posted by 99tango
- October 07, 2015, 18:07:40 PM49, I've tried different oils, all synthetic, 10/40 and 20/50, and really not much quieter either way. That engine is just a noisy critter, but has a new rattling sound that I believe may be the chain(s).
I had trouble enough just checking the travel depth remaining on the front tensioner because the Air Duct connecting the left & right dog bowls is in the way. The rear one was easy.
I don't want to try completely removing the front tensioner until someone on here verifies there's enough room to do it with the duct in place. According to "Gadget", there's a point of no return if you start backing out those allen head screws. Surely someone on here has tried it.
Posted by 49Reo
- October 07, 2015, 15:29:20 PM99, just sayin', but my '02 1500 had a fair bit of engine noise when I first bought it. Finally switched over to Kaw synthetic oil, engine mechanical noise is way down. Might be worth a try to see if it helps. And, like Troll saws, Kaw specified filter I buy my filters from Kawasaki, figure for the $ or to more it is worth it. 
Posted by 99tango
- October 06, 2015, 19:05:27 PMQuote from: Troll on October 05, 2015, 16:01:18 PMDecided to check the tensioner travel while waiting on the hex tool to arrive, and found them both to be within 1/16" of full extension. The front tensioner is a full 1/4" recessed, the rear slightly less. According to "Gadget", it's getting close to extender time. I checked and rechecked the new top end noise, definitely a new "tinny", noise that does vary with engine speed. I don't know if the tensioner(s) are just about to click over to the next notch, but in any event I won't undertake any multi-day road trips yet.Well, if your new noise sounds like a buzzing that changes with engine speed, then you might want to remove one of the spark plug tubes and check to see if the chain has been rubbing on the outside. I run 10-40 Valvoline motorcycle oil spring and fall, and 20-50 during the hot months..change it every 3,000 miles along with the Kaw filter specified for the bike. I change the final drive oil every second engine oil change. There are two removable plug tubes, R/R and L/F...
Now for the big question. The front cam chain tensioner is going to be a real bear to pull and replace with the Air Cleaner Duct in place. I'm not even sure if it is possible. If anyone has successfully done it with the duct in place, please advise!
Posted by 99tango
- October 05, 2015, 16:17:34 PMThanks! That is a good idea. I'll read up on the removal, check on the price of the hex tool and go from there.
Posted by Troll
- October 05, 2015, 16:01:18 PMWell, if your new noise sounds like a buzzing that changes with engine speed, then you might want to remove one of the spark plug tubes and check to see if the chain has been rubbing on the outside. I run 10-40 Valvoline motorcycle oil spring and fall, and 20-50 during the hot months..change it every 3,000 miles along with the Kaw filter specified for the bike. I change the final drive oil every second engine oil change. There are two removable plug tubes, R/R and L/F...
Posted by 99tango
- October 05, 2015, 15:19:56 PM103,000! 
Wow, Troll. That's downright impressive and encouraging. I'd be interested in knowing what weight oil you've been using. I've used 10/40, but get more what seems to be bottom end noise, and 20/50, but get more top end noise with that.
I did raise the idle when I took it off the sales lot. It was too low then and the salesman (Harley owner) said that was where it should be. We know better!
The reason for my concern was a "new" noise which wasn't apparent with my helmet on. I encourage everyone to take their bike for a short ride, sans helmet, every now & then. I was surprised at how much more the different engine sounds can be heard. Anyway, the new noise was not a simple "tick". It had a much faster and irregular rhythm to it and at first thought could be the speedometer cable. A new noise always bothers me.
Other than that, the bike runs great, no problems.
Posted by Troll
- October 05, 2015, 12:55:37 PMfirst off, make sure you have the idle set correctly. Too low an idle speed (normal is 950-1000) will make the engine noisier than normal. People say the chains stretch, but I'm thinking it has more to do with the nylon guides wearing. That said, I have almost 103,000 on my 1500 as of right now, and no reason to fiddle with the cam chain tesioners.
Posted by 99tango
- October 05, 2015, 11:26:42 AMA search here didn't reveal at what mileage the tensioners need checking. No mention was made in the maintenance schedule in the service manual that I could find. My 02 engine's at 21,000, but I have no idea how it was run or cared for, for the first 19,000. There is ample upper end noise and a lower end knock that others say is normal, but if my auto engine sounded anything like that I'd be very concerned.
Not having heard any other 1500's for what is considered "normal" noise, is there a range of mileage that is advisable to check the tensioners?