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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: z315 on March 28, 2015, 07:35:39 PM

Title: cam chain tensioner replacement?
Post by: z315 on March 28, 2015, 07:35:39 PM
Hey now. There's a gs500 that i'm looking at that needs the cam chain tensioner replaced. the bike roughly have about 20k on it.

I personally never done that replacement myself. Is this hard (and expensive ) to wrench on your own?

Thank you.
Title: Re: cam chain tensioner replacement?
Post by: J_Walker on March 28, 2015, 09:03:40 PM
pretty easy.. just two allen key bolts.

you gotta pull off the carbs, but that's about it. take it out, stick a new one in. but make sure thats it! 20k miles and already needs a tensioner.. that sounds iffy. even with a tensioner that's going bad, you should still be able to ride it, if you can't its something else, and run for the hills!
Title: Re: cam chain tensioner replacement?
Post by: sledge on March 29, 2015, 04:17:39 AM
Agreed  :thumb:

Tensioners generally last longer than 20K. What is it that makes you suspect that it is actually the tensioner that is faulty?..........not just BS from a desperate seller trying to cover up for something else like a worn or broken chain guide is it?

Title: Re: cam chain tensioner replacement?
Post by: bmf on March 29, 2015, 05:09:59 AM
Or worse a vam chain that jumped a few teeth. I'd ask him to show you why the tensioner needs changing. Noisy chain? Seems unlikely.
Title: Re: cam chain tensioner replacement?
Post by: z315 on March 29, 2015, 08:28:06 AM
Yea the guy is asking 500 bucks for the bike. I'm trying to ask him the same thing of why he thinks that way. Trying to see how much more I would need to put back in
Title: Re: cam chain tensioner replacement?
Post by: Janx101 on March 30, 2015, 10:09:36 AM
Honest answers from a seller of a 500 dollar bike?!  .  Video that shaZam!! .. could go viral!
Title: Re: cam chain tensioner replacement?
Post by: 89500inPA on March 30, 2015, 12:05:12 PM
When I got my bike with about that mileage on it, it had a slight oil leak from the cam tensioner gasket. Might be worth seeing if this is the reason for the implied problem. I got my bike for about $600, but it took about another $300 to sort it out and make it road worthy.
Title: Re: cam chain tensioner replacement?
Post by: Iarn on March 31, 2015, 05:56:50 AM
If you can't find a used tensioner, I just bought a new OEM one from Bikebandit.com for $60. Worth a look if needed.
Title: Re: cam chain tensioner replacement?
Post by: Joolstacho on March 31, 2015, 02:56:57 PM
If you are suss of the tensioner, just replace it SAP. It's cheap, easy to do, and could save you LOTS of expense if a failing tensioner causes the valves to tangle.
Title: Re: cam chain tensioner replacement?
Post by: Snake2715 on March 31, 2015, 05:58:04 PM
Just make sure you know the tensioner released and timing is intact prior to turning the engine over. Absolutely sure.
Title: Re: cam chain tensioner replacement?
Post by: sledge on March 31, 2015, 11:53:20 PM
Other then the dubious claims of a equally dubious seller there is, as yet, no evidence that the tensioner is actually faulty!
Title: Re: cam chain tensioner replacement?
Post by: ShowBizWolf on April 01, 2015, 12:16:59 PM
Yes I am wondering as well if it really does need replaced...? I almost replaced mine when I couldn't get a VERY stubborn oil leak to stop.