cam chain replacement?

[Donal]

Rather than just change things (just because you can) it might help to try and assess just how bad the wear is. The article linked in Fontanaman's post is well worth a read.

You should be able to assess the actual wear by making sure the timing mark on the rotor is lined up correctly with the mark on the block casting and then eyeing up how the sprocket marks line up (image shamelessly plagiarised from Howie's topic).

If there is significant chain wear you would expect the sprockets to appear to have 'moved' in an anti-clockwise direction................

 

[Canadian FJR]

"How many have replaced the chain and have you done the sprockets at the same time? "

Chain and all three sliders are on order. 198,000 km gentle kms. No plans to replace the sprockets. CCT was changed at 132,000 km, not sure if I'll change it at this time.

Canadian FJR

 

[dirttracker30]

I have my bike in for the 75000 mile valve check , (Which is still in spec=no shims), and since everything is opened up,I am changing sprockets and chain ,and since they have updated the tensioner again, I said what the ***,throw that in too. Now I can ride past 100000 and not worry about it when I am 1000 miles from home . I probably could of had the shop button it up after the valve check, but this gives me a little piece of mind.

 

[RossKean]

Rather than just change things (just because you can) it might help to try and assess just how bad the wear is. The article linked in Fontanaman's post is well worth a read.
You should be able to assess the actual wear by making sure the timing mark on the rotor is lined up correctly with the mark on the block casting and then eyeing up how the sprocket marks line up (image shamelessly plagiarised from Howie's topic).

If there is significant chain wear you would expect the sprockets to appear to have 'moved' in an anti-clockwise direction................

I agree, in principle. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to see how well the sprocket marks line up with the engine in the frame. Using a mirror, I can just about see if the cam is off by one tooth. I seriously doubt I would be able to see a degree or two which is all there would be in the case of significant wear. I read the article which is what prompted me to consider the replacement in the first place. As with the CCT swap I did two years ago, I might do the chain and sprockets as a preventative measure. If I do decide to swap them out, I will make sure to put some sort of reference marks on the inside of the sprocket. The person who thought about placing the arrows obviously designed with the intent of assembly with the engine on a bench!

 

[Klubis]

Does the valve cover have to come off to check if the cam is "one tooth off"? Is there an easy way to check valve timing, I guess is what I'm asking?

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/122970-cam-chain-replacement/?p=656371

Worth reading if you're gonna check your valve timing.

Thanks Howie!

 

[RaYzerman19]

The wear parts are most likely the fiber cam chain followers (called 'dampers'), which if worn might make you think the chain has stretched. It's constantly oiled, so I doubt there's much stretch. Your call though, and if you replace it, definitely do the sprockets AND the fiber followers. AND upgrade to the latest CCT if you haven't already. Your hard parts will come to around $250, excluding tensioner and gaskets.

 

[RossKean]

I don't think I will do the cam chain/sprockets this time. I have already done the CCT. Maybe Scott can post up a side-by-side comparison of his (new vs old) sliders when he gets into it.

Still curious if the "upgraded" part numbers for the chain and sprockets represent a significant change. We know the new part number for the CCT is a real improvement.