timing chain question
 

I'm on my blackberry otherwise I would have searched this but the 3g is just way too slow where I am.

Anyways. I've got a chatter. I find that if cruising at say 3000 rpm if I give it a little throttle I hear a rattle of sorts. 6th gear its the loudest but noticable in all gears. I also find I hear a slight rattleing tick of a sound if I ride the bike while its still cold which leads me to believe its a timing chain or the tensioner. So I think to be safe it'll be my winter project. Question is how big of a deal is it to change the tensioner of these motors?

Not real bad. Just be sure to search for threads so you get the timing right. Just did my front one, chain jumped and bent front exhaust valves. PITA!!!! good luck!

take the extra time and take the front off... search the threads when you get a chance and read about all the issues with the CCT change. It is an easy job if you take your time and follow the steps in the KB...

Some may say you dont need to take the front off, but for a extra 30 minutes it is easily worth the peace of mind...

I wouldn't wait to replace the cct's if you think you have a cct related noise. It's a replace right away kinda deal.

I agree that it is best to take both covers off. Even zip tie the chains to the sprockets if you want to. I did mine last year with only removing the rear so it can be done successfully. But I was very nervous when hitting the starter button in the end. If you can turn a wrench then this shouldn't be too difficult. Just follow the instructions and double check everything.

Alright thanks guys. Ill do some reading and I've downloaded a service manual aswell.

What are the cct's?

CCT = Cam Chain Tensioner

gotcha. is it suggested i do the chain along with the cct? the last timing chain i did was on a car and it was as simple as popping off the old one and putting the new one on. i guess i have some reading to do tonite. and let me guess. i get to pull the motor for this little task aswell, lol

The chain is probably fine, no need to replace it. Pulling the motor isn't required at all. The hardest part of doing this task the safe way is getting the front valve cover off, which isn't even all that hard.

perfect, i like when things dont have to come out. im fairly compitant when it comes to mechanical things. how long should this take?

It can probably be done in 2 hours if you're moving at a good pace. But I wouldn't rush if this is your first time.

so i take it i should stay sober for this, lol

i really need to find the other threads, and this has probably been discussed. but if the tensioner has infact taken a dump, when i finally expose the chain if it isnt very tight then its finished correct? id rather not replace it if i dont have to

I can't say for sure what a compromised CCT looks like. Others from here can probably tell you. I changed mine as a preventive measure. If you're going to be poking around in there anyway, my advise is to just change them. One less think to worry about.