Cam Chain Life

[MPittma100]

I have seen a lot of posts about worn cam chains on the site.

Wondering if anyone has any experience on when these chains wear out as far as time/mileage.

MP

[bikerphil]

I have 65K miles on mine, never been changed. I have the auto cam chain tensioner which extends the normal service limit of the chain a bit as opposed to the stock unit which runs out of travel/adjustment sooner.

[jetmechmarty]

50K, mine was toast. YMMV

[CaptonZap]

50K, mine was toast. YMMV

With or without the automatic tensioner? CZ

[650mark]

so, if an xs1100 owner is somewhat maintenance intensive and adjusts the cam chain regularly does that eliminate the "need" for an automatic tensioner?
do the stock chains/tensioners fail routinely simply from mileage or from neglect?

[BA80]

so, if an xs1100 owner is somewhat maintenance intensive and adjusts the cam chain regularly does that eliminate the "need" for an automatic tensioner?
do the stock chains/tensioners fail routinely simply from mileage or from neglect?

The ACCT eliminates the "need" for adjustment and yes the stock tensioners fail/slip routinely due to design. Not to mention leak oil.

[skids]

so, if an xs1100 owner is somewhat maintenance intensive and adjusts the cam chain regularly does that eliminate the "need" for an automatic tensioner?
do the stock chains/tensioners fail routinely simply from mileage or from neglect?

Just from a physics standpoint, I would say that keeping it adjusted would prolong its life. Less flapping around means less movement against the chain pins.

[jetmechmarty]

With or without the automatic tensioner? CZ

That was with the stock tensioner. I bought an ACCT. When I removed the original unit, I discovered it was fully extended.

[CaptonZap]

That was with the stock tensioner. I bought an ACCT. When I removed the original unit, I discovered it was fully extended.

Are you the original owner? Do you know what oil change intervals, and what oils were used from the time it was new?
All of these things have a bearing on chain life, and to get a good idea of how long a chain will last would require a comparison of all the variables associated with the life span of the chains.
So far, you're the benchmark.
Thanks for the input, CZ

[Eveready1100]

How much extra travel does the ACCT provide? I recently discovered that some brands of aftermarket cam chains are a couple off mm longer than the OEM ones. Might be able to get some more life out of them instead of losing a lot of travel on the initial adjustment.

[jwhughes3]

IIRC I want to say about .25" longer plunger.

John

[jetmechmarty]

Are you the original owner? Do you know what oil change intervals, and what oils were used from the time it was new?
All of these things have a bearing on chain life, and to get a good idea of how long a chain will last would require a comparison of all the variables associated with the life span of the chains.
So far, you're the benchmark.
Thanks for the input, CZ

I bought the bike with 10K on it in 2003. My oil changes are irregular. I sometimes change it at 1500 miles and sometimes almost 4K. I have used a good bit of Mobil 1 and Shell Rotella. Until recently, I've been using Yamalube. Right now it has Valvoline 20W50 motorcycle oil in it that I bought on sale.

I often ride hard in the mountains. I like lots of RPM and on and off the throttle. I'm very often two-up as well.

How much extra travel does the ACCT provide? I recently discovered that some brands of aftermarket cam chains are a couple off mm longer than the OEM ones. Might be able to get some more life out of them instead of losing a lot of travel on the initial adjustment.

The ACCT I bought has less travel than the OEM unit. I don't remember how much less. I bought an EK chain from Z1 Enterprises. After installation, it's tight enough to run with no tensioner. (No, I didn't try it)