Hi guys,

 I 'd like describe to you what is happening now when I start the engine. Generally my GS runs great. Lately, when I start the engine (it starts first time always) and I open the throttle slowly from idle to about 2500 rpm during warming up, I can feel a movement from the engine just before 2000 rpm. It feels like the camchain is getting the correct tension at that time and stays tight if I don't let the rpm to drop back to idle. Do you think it's time to put a new camchain tensioner on the GS? The bike now has 36000 km. On Tuesday it's going for a valve check. Should I ask from the mechanic to check the camchain and the tensioner (he should feel this movement by himself when he drives the bike).

Thank you for any replies!

Quote from: ltsiopouShould I ask from the mechanic to check the camchain and the tensioner

Sounds like a good idea, since he will have things apart anyway.

My '96 exhibits a soft "clunk" every second or two (it varies) when I'm idling at a stop light.  My guess is that I'm hearing a loose camchain, but I haven't confirmed that yet.  I need to look into it before I put too many more miles on the bike.

I'll be interested to hear what you find out.

Mine is making noises, though not what you describe.  Mine sounds like if you took off the rocker cover and took a lenth of chain and loosely dragged it across the hollow rocker cover.  Then it will get quiet, then at some revs it gets noisy again.

I bought a cam chain tensioner from Greg Gabis (this site) and will install it this weekend.  We'll see if that fixes it.

Also I noticed valve noise now so it looks like I might be doing a valve adjust soon too...

Valve noises are very similar to a metallic tapping usually most audible at just above idle. Cam chain noises are more of a grinding or rattling noise that typically sounds like a blender full of marbles and is pretty audible at idle. Cam chain tensioners can be wound back tight and put back in. Mine went at 22K miles.
Cool.
Srinath.

Interesting.......  

1.  My bike has 29K on it
2.  I just pulled the cam chain tensioner out to fix a leaky gasket a few hundred miles ago.....

Yes, it sounds like marbles in a tin container....AND I have the tick tick noise now.

I think that my tensioner has gone (I just bought one to swap in) and I also need a valve adjustment.

Anybody know how much is average to expect from a dealer for the valve adjustment?  I am "time challenged" these days...

Quote from: V8PintoInteresting.......  

1.  My bike has 29K on it
2.  I just pulled the cam chain tensioner out to fix a leaky gasket a few hundred miles ago.....

Yes, it sounds like marbles in a tin container....AND I have the tick tick noise now.

I think that my tensioner has gone (I just bought one to swap in) and I also need a valve adjustment.

Anybody know how much is average to expect from a dealer for the valve adjustment?  I am "time challenged" these days...

I would be afraid to see how much they want for that. Just do it yourself.

Its simple.. remove the valve cover, use a feeler gauge to measure the gap between the cam lobes and the shim (check the Clymer for measurements and details).. and then put in the appropriate shims.. takes 5 minutes.. unless the shim wont come out :nana: .. dont ask how that happens..