Cam chain replacement - is that normal?

Ok guys and girls, got a question. I've got an 2003 SV650S with about 57.000 km (36.000 miles) on it. Bought it in 2003 and did about 7-8 trackdays a year with it since 2005.

Last summer when picking up the bike from the 30.000 miles service, my dealer pointed out to me that the cam chains (especially the front one) would have to be replaced on short notice (as in: next service interval). He told me the wear was caused by doing track days and a more "sporty" riding style. Ok, if he says so. When listening to the bike, I have to admit it does make a pretty hard rattling noise, coming from the front cillinder (much more rattling noise than other pointy SV's). The rattling occurs both when riding and when running idle.

But when I was talking to some other technically skilled SV riders, they could'nt imagine the cam chains already need to be replaced. One of them has an curvy SV with more than 56.000 miles on it, but didn't do track days with it. So now I'm beginning to doubt the advice/ information the mechanic has given me. It's a pretty expensive repair , so I want to be as sure as possible.

So now my questions are:
- Is it possible that the cam chains need to be replaced at 36.000 miles? I can imagine that certain riding actions makes the chain wear out faster (traffic light sprints, wheelies, cracking the throttle very often), but I'm not in to all of these things.

- Is there a way to check the length of the cam chain and compare it to a new one or service limits? I wasn't able to find any cam chain service limits in the service manual. At the moment it's the opinion of the mechanic without any "hard" evidence.

- Could it be just the tensioner? Unfortunately I'm not that technically skilled to try certain things myself, especially when the engine is involved.

I already did a search on cam chain problems, but haven't found what I was looking for. So hopefully someone over here can help me out!

Thanks!!!

[yorkie_chris]

36k isn't really much for an SV motor. IIRC haynes has a length between pins limit for camchain, but it's kinda strange you can measure one that's totally bolloksed and it'll be in limit... or get one that measures stretched to buggery, but runs alright and quiet. That's not on SV engine though, I've never heard of an SV needing it!

However, I'd ask Sid Squid about it.

Originally Posted by Knaapie

So now my questions are:
- Is it possible that the cam chains need to be replaced at 36.000 miles? I can imagine that certain riding actions makes the chain wear out faster (traffic light sprints, wheelies, cracking the throttle very often), but I'm in to all of these things.

SV's are notorious for not liking the wheelies.

Maybe not chain, maybe small / big end bearings??

[northwind]

Surprises me too... If it's had a bad tensioner then the slap would maybe wear the guides, but chain stretch, I'd be a bit skeptical. I don't know what the runouts are unfortunately but accessing the chain is very easy if you can find it. Did he diagnose it just based on noise?

Originally Posted by Knaapie

36.000 miles

Way to early for a new chain.

[yorkie_chris]

Yours on stock camchains Dave? What mileage you replace them at?

Recently, around 98000 miles, not entirely sure it was needed to be done but I had the engine apart so took the opportunity.

[yorkie_chris]

Oh right. sprocket for front chain being part of crank is a bit of a bugger though. Or is billet crank different?

Same as OEM, and 'a bit of bugger' is an underestimate!!!

Originally Posted by injury_ian

SV's are notorious for not liking the wheelies.

Maybe not chain, maybe small / big end bearings??

Sorry, made a typo.

I'm haven't wheelied with the thing since I got it. Rarely do traffic light sprints and I'm not really a rider how cracks the throttle often. I can imagine this kind of riding has an impact on the cam chains, because the power comes on at once. Or is this complete BS?