Durability Timing Chain?

[MtheTiger]

Anyone know the service life (in km's, miles or years?) of the timing chain? This info is not stated in the manual.

My T400 has done 62K kms in 14 years. She runs fine, no weird noises (apart from the usual Fedex truck sound and turbo whine that is  8)  8)  8)  :) ). The chain has lengthened somewhat I guess because the arrows on the sprockets don't line up perfectly anymore. But, the chain lives in a near perfect environment so it could last a long time.

Some tigerowners replace the chain as early as 30K miles, others report doing 110K km's with the original chain. Better safe than sorry so any wise comments ?

[Mustang]

1. is there any adjustment left in the chain tensioner and is the spring and ratchet in good condition ?

2. if the above answer is yes , you are probably ok


62k km's is not a lot of miles it's just over 38k miles . my tigger 2 is on to 70k miles(112,000 km's) on the original cam chain with no problems what so ever. ymmv

[MtheTiger]

thx for the speedy answer Mustang.

Can I check this without removing the camcover or is the risk too great that the chain will skip a tooth when loosening the tensioner?

[Mustang]

take off the right hand cover ( the one the ignition pickup sensor is under) gives you a view port at the chain to make sure everything stays put and then go ahead and pull the tensioner out . no noise is usually a good sign .

b4 you pull the tensioner check the chain by going thru the right hand cover ,it should be good and tight .

you can sorta see the tensioner blades too on the front side make sure they are in good shape too , they will be what goes bad b4 the chain does.

[CoolHandLuke]

There doesn't seem to be a hard rule for cam chains, but I would highly recommend changing the cam chain around 50k miles.  This is based on a trusted mechanics recommendation who has been working on Hinckley bikes for as long as they have been sold.  The chain tensioner slider should be changed at this time, too - this is the weakest link.  The tensioner teeth and spring should also be checked.

For me, it is better to be cautious and save something more costly down the line.  At 100k, presuming the old girl is still running, I will take the head off and do a full service.

[mantramoto]

There doesn't seem to be a hard rule for cam chains, but I would highly recommend changing the cam chain around 50k miles.  This is based on a trusted mechanics recommendation who has been working on Hinckley bikes for as long as they have been sold.  The chain tensioner slider should be changed at this time, too - this is the weakest link.  The tensioner teeth and spring should also be checked.

For me, it is better to be cautious and save something more costly down the line.  At 100k, presuming the old girl is still running, I will take the head off and do a full service.

I agree! Look at the trouble I am in under "cam chain guide explody". Wish I would have read about this earlier.