Camchain Replacement - SV650.org

24-02-05, 02:19 AM

Hi All
I put this topic up on the Oz sv list but recieved no replies, No one over here must have replaced them yet.
I'm interested to hear from anyone who's done the Job or had it done.
It's 2000 model with 82000 km's up.

Well the front chain was easy enough, Rotor came off with the rattlegun, Wouldn't want to try it without one tho.
BUT the rear chain was impossible to change with the engine in the frame, The bolt that goes thru the side of the head between the cams will not allow the chain past and It's impossible to remove this bolt as it hits the frame.
I then tried to move the engine but this proved impossible as well because of the "Thrust Adjusters" Special tools are needed to back the tension off these. Anyone know what these things actually do?
I'm going to line up a power hacksaw to cut the effin bolt off, Then I will plug the hole with something when I'm finished.
Been pulling bikes apart for 25 years and I have never worked on anything as difficult as this bike.

Sid Squid · 24-02-05, 07:41 AM

Haven't had to replace an SV camchain, if I did need to I'd take the bike to one of our 'in the frame' chain fitters, such as Tony Galea, he has produced tools for splitting and re-rivetting the chains in place, even though the job's not difficult on many bikes, this way just keeps costs down as there is much less labour charge, and fewer gaskets/seals etc.

The engine mounts are fitted such as to not place any stress on the frame, being aluminium it's best not to 'spring' the frame such as would be common with a steel frame, as such the motor is fitted flush to one side of the chassis and then the fixings on the other side snugged up against the engine, with a nominal low torque so as to have no slack, as you'd be refitting the original motor there should be no need to back them out at all, just remove the mounting bolts, and in reality even when fitting a replacement motor it's not proved necessary to change anything, as the fitting tolerances are all on the frame, the motors are in practice identical.

25-02-05, 02:26 AM

Breaking the chain would make an easier job of it but being a hyvo chain must make it difficult.
The low torque that the adjusters are done up to(10nm) means that the engine won't drop out without backing them off.
I'm surprised that no-one has replaced the camchains, I've read alot of complaints about noisy chains and replacing them is the only fix I guess.
The noise that they make is truly awfull, sounds like a bucket of bolts.

rictus01 · 25-02-05, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham

Breaking the chain would make an easier job of it but being a hyvo chain must make it difficult.
The low torque that the adjusters are done up to(10nm) means that the engine won't drop out without backing them off.
I'm surprised that no-one has replaced the camchains, I've read alot of complaints about noisy chains and replacing them is the only fix I guess.
The noise that they make is truly awfull, sounds like a bucket of bolts.

Most peoples "noisy cam chains" tend to be stuck cam chain tensioner and not the chain at all, easily fixed by either backing them off and letting them snap back out or replacing the tensioner itself.

Cheers Mark.

25-02-05, 05:06 AM

Not true, I've been stuffing around for 4 years with the tensioners. I replaced with brand new ones with no difference, I even put manual ones in without any luck at minimising the noise. The noise is definitley stretched camchains(I Hope). The genuine tensioners actually seem to work fine.
I had a good look at the fit of the chains and they don't match the cam gears anymore and are trying to climb off, Hence the noise.

rictus01 · 25-02-05, 05:46 AM

in your case perhaps, but if you read my post it says " most people", having looked at several supposed "noisy cam chains" myself and been able to fix them with the tensioner, and never having had to replace them, indeed never heard of any needing replacement, bar yours.

I'd say either you are unlucky to need new cam chains or your bike has had a less than normal life, and is the exception rather than the rule.

It would give the wrong impression for other owners to believe the noise would require new chains, when a simple overhaul of the tensioner would do, solving the problem.

As to you saying my "most people" statement is wrong,I can only repy by adding, to make such a sweeping statement from a single example, seems a little presumptive to me, unless of course you know of several more examples, which I doubt.

25-02-05, 06:49 AM

How long do you expect a camchain to last? I have been told by several mechanics 100000km's is about the farthest you can go on the camchains before replacement.
There is nothing to overhaul in the tensioners, They are just a spring operated screw thread. Mine were at almost full extension which means the chains are past their best.
Had my bike since new and It has been well serviced, I was very surprised at the lack of wear on any of the parts I saw. Except the chains of course.
Just trying to give you the benefit of my experience

rictus01 · 25-02-05, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham

How long do you expect a camchain to last? I have been told by several mechanics 100000km's is about the farthest you can go on the camchains before replacement.
There is nothing to overhaul in the tensioners, They are just a spring operated screw thread. Mine were at almost full extension which means the chains are past their best.
Had my bike since new and It has been well serviced, I was very surprised at the lack of wear on any of the parts I saw. Except the chains of course.
Just trying to give you the benefit of my experience

Indeed as you say cam chains do ware, and at some point would need replacement, but most people with what would seem a noisy cam chain problem would in my experience on several SVs (and I know Ian looks after a high mileage SV as well, which hasn't needed it either) only need the tensioner "un-sticking" which they do, your single experience isn't indicative for this model.

Sid Squid · 25-02-05, 07:48 AM

Two of the SVs I look after have more than 60,000 miles (~100,000 Kms) on them, neither has required camchain replacement, both have suffered from 'sticky' tensioners.
Although the tensioners are not worn as such, there is no doubt in my mind - I've attended to more than a dozen - that they can get stuck even though, when dismantled, they show no clear signs of damage.
The chains are, as rightly said, of the hyvo type, however as they got themselves made they can be unmade and joined again, not something I'd ever try as I don't have the specific tools, but then just about no-one does, we take our, and our customers, bikes to the firms that will fit a chain in said manner, much cheaper and easier than dismantling an otherwise healthy engine as is often the case, it wouldn't be necessary to strip an SV motor to any great degree, but I'd still take the easy option so as to avoid the extra time and cost of removing the motor.
I don't doubt that your chain/s are worn, if the tensioner is at full extension and still the chain/s are slack then that is clearly the case. Yours, of the SVs of which I've heard tell, is the first to require replacement camchain/s, I'd appreciate knowing how you get on, and what finally proves to be your most expedient method.
Still a little puzzled at your troubles in removing the motor, never had any problems myself, I'd also like to know what you find is preventing you from doing so, if it proves necessary in order to finish the job.

28-02-05, 03:03 AM

I'll let you know how get on with the rear chain, Probably be another week before I do it.
I haven't been able find anyone on the net with this problem but I have run into 2 people on the road that have had to have theirs replaced.
As for the tensioners I was probably one of the first to mention the problems and I did have some success with adjusting them but not for long.

24-02-05, 02:19 AM	#1
Graham Guest Posts: n/a	Camchain Replacement Hi All I put this topic up on the Oz sv list but recieved no replies, No one over here must have replaced them yet. I'm interested to hear from anyone who's done the Job or had it done. It's 2000 model with 82000 km's up. Well the front chain was easy enough, Rotor came off with the rattlegun, Wouldn't want to try it without one tho. BUT the rear chain was impossible to change with the engine in the frame, The bolt that goes thru the side of the head between the cams will not allow the chain past and It's impossible to remove this bolt as it hits the frame. I then tried to move the engine but this proved impossible as well because of the "Thrust Adjusters" Special tools are needed to back the tension off these. Anyone know what these things actually do? I'm going to line up a power hacksaw to cut the effin bolt off, Then I will plug the hole with something when I'm finished. Been pulling bikes apart for 25 years and I have never worked on anything as difficult as this bike.

24-02-05, 07:41 AM	#2
Sid Squid No, I don't lend tools. Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Skunk Works, Nth London Posts: 8,680	Haven't had to replace an SV camchain, if I did need to I'd take the bike to one of our 'in the frame' chain fitters, such as Tony Galea, he has produced tools for splitting and re-rivetting the chains in place, even though the job's not difficult on many bikes, this way just keeps costs down as there is much less labour charge, and fewer gaskets/seals etc. The engine mounts are fitted such as to not place any stress on the frame, being aluminium it's best not to 'spring' the frame such as would be common with a steel frame, as such the motor is fitted flush to one side of the chassis and then the fixings on the other side snugged up against the engine, with a nominal low torque so as to have no slack, as you'd be refitting the original motor there should be no need to back them out at all, just remove the mounting bolts, and in reality even when fitting a replacement motor it's not proved necessary to change anything, as the fitting tolerances are all on the frame, the motors are in practice identical. __________________ If an SV650 has a flat tyre in the forest and no-one is there to blow it up, how long will it be 'til someone posts that the reg/rec is duff and the world will end unless a CBR unit is fitted? A little bit of knowledge = a dangerous thing. "a deathless anthem of nuclear-strength romantic angst"

25-02-05, 05:46 AM	#6
rictus01 Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: South London Posts: 9,799	in your case perhaps, but if you read my post it says " most people", having looked at several supposed "noisy cam chains" myself and been able to fix them with the tensioner, and never having had to replace them, indeed never heard of any needing replacement, bar yours. I'd say either you are unlucky to need new cam chains or your bike has had a less than normal life, and is the exception rather than the rule. It would give the wrong impression for other owners to believe the noise would require new chains, when a simple overhaul of the tensioner would do, solving the problem. As to you saying my "most people" statement is wrong,I can only repy by adding, to make such a sweeping statement from a single example, seems a little presumptive to me, unless of course you know of several more examples, which I doubt. __________________ Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! What a Ride!

25-02-05, 07:48 AM	#9
Sid Squid No, I don't lend tools. Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Skunk Works, Nth London Posts: 8,680	Two of the SVs I look after have more than 60,000 miles (~100,000 Kms) on them, neither has required camchain replacement, both have suffered from 'sticky' tensioners. Although the tensioners are not worn as such, there is no doubt in my mind - I've attended to more than a dozen - that they can get stuck even though, when dismantled, they show no clear signs of damage. The chains are, as rightly said, of the hyvo type, however as they got themselves made they can be unmade and joined again, not something I'd ever try as I don't have the specific tools, but then just about no-one does, we take our, and our customers, bikes to the firms that will fit a chain in said manner, much cheaper and easier than dismantling an otherwise healthy engine as is often the case, it wouldn't be necessary to strip an SV motor to any great degree, but I'd still take the easy option so as to avoid the extra time and cost of removing the motor. I don't doubt that your chain/s are worn, if the tensioner is at full extension and still the chain/s are slack then that is clearly the case. Yours, of the SVs of which I've heard tell, is the first to require replacement camchain/s, I'd appreciate knowing how you get on, and what finally proves to be your most expedient method. Still a little puzzled at your troubles in removing the motor, never had any problems myself, I'd also like to know what you find is preventing you from doing so, if it proves necessary in order to finish the job. __________________ If an SV650 has a flat tyre in the forest and no-one is there to blow it up, how long will it be 'til someone posts that the reg/rec is duff and the world will end unless a CBR unit is fitted? A little bit of knowledge = a dangerous thing. "a deathless anthem of nuclear-strength romantic angst"

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25-02-05, 02:26 AM	#3
Graham Guest Posts: n/a	Breaking the chain would make an easier job of it but being a hyvo chain must make it difficult. The low torque that the adjusters are done up to(10nm) means that the engine won't drop out without backing them off. I'm surprised that no-one has replaced the camchains, I've read alot of complaints about noisy chains and replacing them is the only fix I guess. The noise that they make is truly awfull, sounds like a bucket of bolts.

25-02-05, 05:06 AM	#5
Graham Guest Posts: n/a	Not true, I've been stuffing around for 4 years with the tensioners. I replaced with brand new ones with no difference, I even put manual ones in without any luck at minimising the noise. The noise is definitley stretched camchains(I Hope). The genuine tensioners actually seem to work fine. I had a good look at the fit of the chains and they don't match the cam gears anymore and are trying to climb off, Hence the noise.

25-02-05, 06:49 AM	#7
Graham Guest Posts: n/a	How long do you expect a camchain to last? I have been told by several mechanics 100000km's is about the farthest you can go on the camchains before replacement. There is nothing to overhaul in the tensioners, They are just a spring operated screw thread. Mine were at almost full extension which means the chains are past their best. Had my bike since new and It has been well serviced, I was very surprised at the lack of wear on any of the parts I saw. Except the chains of course. Just trying to give you the benefit of my experience

28-02-05, 03:03 AM	#10
Graham Guest Posts: n/a	I'll let you know how get on with the rear chain, Probably be another week before I do it. I haven't been able find anyone on the net with this problem but I have run into 2 people on the road that have had to have theirs replaced. As for the tensioners I was probably one of the first to mention the problems and I did have some success with adjusting them but not for long.