Cam chain replacement

[Bargarabandit]

Hi everybody

I have a 2005 gs500

Just wondering if anyone has any tips for replacing their cam chain or tensioner?

Do the after market manual ones work well?

Can the original one be repaired?

There's a slapping or tapping sound in the engine at idle once it heats up (about a couple of minutes)

Also what's the part number for the chain and tensioner?

Thanks heaps

[Bluesmudge]

Can't help you replace the chain itself...that's a big project.

Cam chain tensioner...easy enough to replace. I would not try to repair it. A brand new one from Suzuki is not too expensive and the manual ones are even cheaper. I use a manual one that was designed for the 1st Gen Hayabusa. I check the chain tension each time I check the valves. No sag between the cam gears and its good to go. I've had it on there for ~25,000 miles without issue so far.
If you replace the tensioner also replace the gasket.

[Joolstacho]

Not too hard. But care needed. Remove the cam cover first. You just break the worn chain, (If it's an original endless chain you need to grind a pin away and use a chain breaker). Attach the new chain to the old one, pull it through, and join the new chain.
Time it according to the book. Def fit a new camchain tensioner. See if there's a youtube vid of the process, that'll help.

[The Buddha]

That tapping may be the side drift of the cams. Cam china tensioner giving up is easy to detect.
Take off the valve cover and spin the motor by hand looking at the tight section of chan between the sprockets. If it ever sags in that operation, CCT is bad. Replace or I have wound it back up just fine. Mine had come loose from its anchor. I put a cut to size tension pin that was tighter fit than the original nothing. Open it and you'd see what I mean.
Cool.
Buddha.

[chris900f]

Hi everybody

I have a 2005 gs500

Just wondering if anyone has any tips for replacing their cam chain or tensioner?

Do the after market manual ones work well?

Can the original one be repaired?

There's a slapping or tapping sound in the engine at idle once it heats up (about a couple of minutes)

Also what's the part number for the chain and tensioner?

Thanks heaps

Before replacing anything, try this to diagnose the "cam-walk" noise common to these engines. (As per the service bulletin) While the bike is idling (making the noise) lean it over to the left as far as you can. If the noise disappears or gets quieter its the cams and no action needs to be taken.