Cam chain questions

[balky1]

Welcome Mike!  

We have several very knowledgeable engine folks here on our forum, so you've come to the right spot for your questions.
Head gasket should be straight forward, but putting in a new cam chain will mean opening up the bottom end and removing the crank to fit the new chain.
You may want to consider upgrading your shift forks while you have the bottom end open.
Everything you need for your project is available from RPM (see the top banner)

Cheers  Pat

Pat, I've seen there is an option to buy open cam chain with rivet link. What are your thoughts on this? (DID, Borg Warner Morse, etc.).

[Pat Conlon]

Balky, I don't know about the durability of a linked cam chain. Lots of bad shit happens if that link fails.
I will defer to Mike (JMR), Chris (fj1289) and Randy for that answer.
Those guys are the pros, not me.

Stand by....

[ribbert]

Pat, I've seen there is an option to buy open cam chain with rivet link. What are your thoughts on this? (DID, Borg Warner Morse, etc.).

I've used them many times over the years without a problem. Why would it be any less reliable than a split drive chain with a rivet link? Only thing to make sure of is that it's good quality chain. Lateral load on the chain is minimal anyway, what's going to happen? The load range and lubrication is constant and it can't be subjected to abuse.

This post also raises another question, does the chain actually need replacing? Mine is just short of quarter of a million km's, sure it's noisy, as it is in my other engine with a quarter of the mileage, but aren't they all?

Noel

[fjbiker84]

How do you know when the chain needs to be replaced and what causes the chain to become noisy?  Does it stretch to a point where the tensioner can't get all the slack out and then rattle against the inside of the engine walls?  Or do the links get stiff as does a worn out drive chain and then make some kind of noise?

[Mypoorfudge]

Hi guys,

I actually have a DID cam chain which I bought a couple of years ago after attempting to get the bike finished.

It is a split link chain with a rivet joint in it.

I have used these types of chain before on other bikes and never had a problem.

Also as I remember the chain was a bit rattly when the bike was running and I would have assumed that if you were going near the engine then you would perform this type of job anyway.