Question on Cam Chains

[missinglink]

My cam chain adjuster is at it's limit so I'm probably due for a new chain.

Question: How long can I go before I absolutely have to change the chain. (I know, I know, forever if I never start the bike '') but really, I am planning a ride this weekend, about a 1,000 miles or so, and I want to keep riding until it gets too cold to ride this winter and then change the chain. How big a risk is it to wait to make this a winter project?

Thanks for the XSpert advise!

[skids]

Re: Question on Cam Chains

If the thing does not need adjustment now, it is not a worry until it does need it. If it is relatively quiet, go on that ride (or two or three).

Originally posted by missinglink
My cam chain adjuster is at it's limit so I'm probably due for a new chain.

Question: How long can I go before I absolutely have to change the chain. (I know, I know, forever if I never start the bike '') but really, I am planning a ride this weekend, about a 1,000 miles or so, and I want to keep riding until it gets too cold to ride this winter and then change the chain. How big a risk is it to wait to make this a winter project?

Thanks for the XSpert advise!

[missinglink]

Thanks for the feedback, Skids, I'm leaving for the Finger Lakes tomorrow.

[mro]

missinglink???

if you really are "missing a link" don't see how your chain can be loose



mro
btw
you are aware of what happens
should chain jump a tooth???

[missinglink]

Nice one, Mike. I'm not missing a link - yet-.

Missing a few marbles maybe.

[missinglink]

OK, did my weekend trip up to the Finger Lakes area of NY. Put 1,138 miles on the bike. She ran great except when I hit a big puddle on Saturday during a monsoon downpour. I think one of the coils got soaked and she dropped two cylinders.....all was well once we both got dried out that night.

Has anyone else had a problem with the coils shorting out in wet weather? Just curious.

[DiverRay]

It is normally the primary wires, not the coil that shorts. I've had the problem once or twice myself on daily ride. Check the pickup coil wires, if the PO did a poor job on the repair, you may have a problem with a short inside the case. The other thing to do is use plenty of "dielectric grease" on ALL electrical connections. It will keep the corrosion down, and keep water OUT of the connectors.
Ray

[missinglink]

Thanks for the replay DiverRay. Some good advice since I'm the culprit that made the pickup coil wire repair about 20 years ago, I really should look there first! Now that you mention it, it did act up the worse when I accellerated from a stop.... Anyway, I'll give everything the once over from the pickups to the coils to make sure.