Question on which Chain Tensioners..
 

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Is what I read in most all my searches. Sounds good except, how often do they have to be adjusted? How does one know if one made it too tight?


Just noticed some chain slap in my front cyl, after coming back from my fave Honda dlr where I had the carbs rebuilt, with 22K miles on 'er.

My friend, (who owns the Honda dlrship), suggests going with the OEM tensioners. His logic is, "You got 20 years from the stock ones, why wouldn't you just replace them? Do you want to be fiddling with them every so many thousand miles?"

He raises a good point, as I clearly do not want to be adjusting them often.

Thoughts?

Mark Krieger > Krieger Cam Chain Tensioners

If you got 20 years (how many miles in that time?) then your rate of years/CCT implosion is an out layer in a statistical sense. Some auro CCTs go fairly quickly, quite a few after a few years / 35,000miles, then some 100,000+ miles...

What generally happens is that the spring in the tensioner (usually front one) gives out causing the cam chain to come loose risking valves meeting piston as bike's timing goes awry.

There are fitting instructions where you can turn a tensioner nut a prescribed amount either by feel or by a measured amount. i.e too tight it will squeal like pig, and too loose it will rattle.

"My friend, (who owns the Honda dlrship), suggests going with the OEM tensioners. His logic is, "You got 20 years from the stock ones, why wouldn't you just replace them? Do you want to be fiddling with them every so many thousand miles?":

Will he guarantee if you stick with OEM tensioners and they fail within 35,000 miles that he will meet the the cost of a full top rebuilding inc , valves, guides piston etc.

Broken spring

http://cl.ly/2E2L3C3i320f/cct-spring-failure.jpg

http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewto...p?f=23&t=33856

2003 Petitition to Honda asking them to recocnize the problem > https://web.archive.org/web/20030423...ondaletter.htm

Thanks for the response and info on adjustments on the APE's.

Has anyone here had a new OEM tensioner fail after just a few thousand miles?

Thoughts... I say go new OEM IF he is willing to replace your engine should they fail. Everyone here knows the deal, sounds like you might too.

I installed mine, shoot... years ago and I haven't touched them since. I adjusted them by feel initially, then started the motor and "tuned" by ear. I really wouldn't recommend that way unless you've had previous experience.

New OEM might just last another 20 years, or 2 years, or 9 years, or 6,402 miles., or 26,920 miles, or..well you get the point.... the point is, they do fail Often? no not really when you consider how many units world wide were sold,..but it is a very common complaint posted to the Internet..so it does happen more then it should. you can totally prevent a failure by installing manual CCT's And you will need to adjust them, every 10 years or so.......or maybe 3 years, 7, 19, 3, or some other made up number we can not tell you as it just depends... How worn are your cam chain now? How did the PO use the bike? how do you use the bike?

I went 5 years and never needed to adjust the manual CCT's on my 98, that was 36000 miles.. They have not needed adjustment in the last year either, of course the motor is sitting in the parts shed.......LOL
My 2001 has 12000 miles on a set of Manual CCT's..It had 18K miles on OEM Auto CCT's before I got the bike and swapped. It might have gone 20, 30, 60k miles....or it might have had a CCT spring failure at 18,001 miles..

Anyone who owns a VTR and has read the disastrous effects of OEM tensioners failing and doesn't fit manuals is a gamer man than I.

Yes I know there are examples of owners getting rediculous mileage out of originals without any problems.

I am not here to take either side, I just didn't feel comfortable with leaving the originals in.

I am an optimist, however I wasn't prepared to take the risk so I fitted some Kreigers.

Over 40,000klms , 2 valve adjustments and I have tweaked the front tensioner once. The rear is as originally fitted to the best of my memory.

Take a chance and keep the originals if you are game.

Fit manuals, get to know and understand your bike a bit better and ride in confidence that your motor is not going to grenade and cost a fortune to fix.

At the very least do the stopper mod on the originals.

My two cents worth on this often discussed subject.

Solid information from a well-versed group, thank you much.

I certainly appreciate all your input, and am def. going with the MCT.

Which to buy..

APE or BP? Preferences? They are getting changed soon after I decide which to purchase., thank you.

Thanks Wicky!

Bought the Kriegers btw, been a month now, and all is well. Thanks again for the suggestions.

I fitted my K's years ago.

Curious if you have noticed a change in the sound of the engine ?

Well, for starters, the chain slap sound is gone, :D

I always wear ear plugs, but no, nothing definite as far as engine sound.