cam chain life

[Mick Hayward]

Can any one advise how long a cam chain should last

TA Mick

[Pigford]

if proper adjusted & cared for at least 20k..... could be 40k or more


If left slack...... well under that.... WHY

[Kev1R]

I agree with Mr Pigford in that it can depend on various factors:
Particularly how the engine is used and how the bike is stored.
Lots of short journeys? - high revs in every gear ?
Bike stored outside in all temperatures?
Correct oil used and changed regularly?
Cam chain tension checked? And adjusted properly? At the required interval?

Having said all that --------------
I would have thought that if the bike has not been abused and has been properly maintained, 50,000 miles would be reasonable to expect. (Although I know some people reckon on nearer 35k)

You are probably aware there is a means of checking chain wear which entails measuring the stretched length of the chain.

I will be attempting cam chain replacement on mine this year – Mileage on mine is about 53k and I intend to replace without splitting the engine(so with a chain with a link). This is the ‘lazy mans’ solution I know, but hopefully should work out ok.
I would be interested in any views on this.

Cheers
Kevin

[zed1015]

Rule of thumb life expectancy is usually around 40k for an average road going machine. Good indication of wear is same as drive chains. With cam cover off you shouldn't be able to pull the chain away from the sprocket more than a very little. I've done plenty of soft link cam chain replacements with no problems but success is down to experience and preferably using a proper riveting tool. The old peening over the ends with a hammer method can be done but is risky as it can lead to a tight link and cause pin or side plate fracture which is not a pretty sight.

[Mick Hayward]

Thanks guys

With 62000 miles on the clock and no service history I think it might be best to make a change. Even if it has been replaced at some time it must be close to requireing another.

Thanks again Mick

[Steve R]

I think at the age our bikes are; the rubber on the cam wheels , tensioner blade, rubber supporting blocks etc are as likely if not more likely to need replacing than the chain?

[Mick Hayward]

Steve

I agree. I have a reciept for a set of piston rings where the dates equate to about 3000 miles ago albeit several years. So I can only assume, or perhaps I shouldn't, that all the rollers and guides would have been inspected while the barrels were off. Better still I've just found the name and address of the owner at that time so will try and get in touch to see what he did. I think he might be rather old though.

Mick

[GEZ635]

There is a bloke in Mosely in Birmingham who has had a few bits off me recently and he has a UK z1b he bought from new and he has done 75,000 miles on it and its never been apart and still sounds good. Saying that, I agree with all of you. It all depends how it has been ridden, oil changes etc and I think the main concerns at high mileage are the cam chain guide, wheels etc.

[zed1015]

Kawasaki recomended something like 40k but they have to cover their a*se don't they. Given frequent oil changes and a steady smooth riding style then who knows how long anything will last ??.

[Steve Cooke]

The idlers etc, fail because of the rubber inners becoming hard and brittle due to the heat rather than any wear to the metal components.

[Jacko]

The idlers etc, fail because of the rubber inners becoming hard and brittle due to the heat rather than any wear to the metal components.

I have no idea how many miles my Zed has on it as the bike has Z650 clocks on it (possible front end smash?) I stripped it a few years ago with the intention of replacing the valve oil seals and the cam chain, apart from worn idlers this is some of the other stuff I found, some of the valve oil seals disintegrated when being taken out. It cost a bit but I replaced everything, so that's something I don't have to do for the next 30 years!!

[Steve S]

you will be getting us all worried now!!!!

[Mick Hayward]

Na

Looks like there is at least 10,000 mile left in these parts.

Mick

[tlc]

you will be getting us all worried now!!!!

Got me going for a start

[Steve Cooke]

The cam chain guide is a well known weak point, and the valve seals you would expect to replace, personally I would replace both of those items as a matter of course. I stripped one motor and the plastic on the front idler wheel had disappeared altogether and it still ran, how the chain hadn't snapped I don't know.