After 65,000km/40,000 miles, my tensioner is kaput.
Will this mean I will have to replace the chain as well?
Probably a good idea to replace the guides, eh?

Thanks in advance...

Gonna have to split the case so yea replace the chain,tensioner and associated hardware.Also check the crank and balance shaft bearings.Gooder idea to replace them,too.

Do I **NEED** to split the case???

Quote from: GSRider on July 02, 2007, 03:58:24 AM
Do I **NEED** to split the case???

To replace a cam chain...YES. It is continous and does not have a master link and master links are not available.

I would check for wear on the chain and guides before going that far.

but that's what angle grinders are for!

my old GN250 cam chain came out a treat once we sliced it (plenty of packing, of course).  we wired one end to the new chain and fed it through, using the old chain to lead it through. the new chain, which I just got cut to length from the local wreckers (rang em up and they had a book with all the lengths), had a loose pin.  we "simply" had to whack the pin in (much cursing and grinding and way too much sweating) and all was good.

although the service manual suggested using "tools", the process was more or less the same.  if you can get a chain splitter I believe the job is a million times less painful.

just a suggestion though - I've never stripped a GS, and I'm sure people like dgyver have way more experience than I with bikes in general.

bd.

Quote from: dgyver on July 02, 2007, 05:39:33 AM

Quote from: GSRider on July 02, 2007, 03:58:24 AM
Do I **NEED** to split the case???

To replace a cam chain...YES. It is continous and does not have a master link and master links are not available.

I would check for wear on the chain and guides before going that far.

How do I inspect the chain for being too stretched out without taking it out?

Cam Chain: 21 pin length (max) is 158.0mm (center to center of the pins)

You can replace the front guide easily but you will need to split the case to replace the rear guide.