i need help /cam chain

[Anonymous]

i need a norons guide to replace the cam chain on my 83 gs 650 thanks

[Billy Ricks]

Best buy a shop manual if you are going to tackle the job yourself.

There are cam chains with links you can rivet together, but I don't know if I'd trust one. If the rivet gets staked properly there's no reason it can't work. It would be easy enough to do if you're willing to trust a master linked chain.

As long as cam timing hasn't been disturbed you would have to remove the valve cover, carbs, and cam chain tensioner. Split the old chain and temporarily attach the new chain to the old and pull the new chain around the crank and back across the cam sprockets.

While the cam chain tensioner is out go ahead and service it. You should be able to find a thread on how to service it. I've posted the instructions numerous times. Knowing how to reinstall the tensioner is key to the job.

[Don Lobacz]

You should just service the tensioner first and see if that is the problem. I have seen it many times before (2 GS650s, as a matter of fact), and it has always been just a sticking tensioner.

[Billy Ricks]

Here's how to service the tensioner.

With the tensioner removed from the cylinder block loosen the lock nut on the left side of the tensioner and back the slotted bolt out ? turn. Turn the knob on the right side of the tensioner, which in the Suzuki service manual is called a lock shaft handle, counterclock-wise. As you are turning the knob counterclock-wise push the pushrod all the way back. Keep turning the knob until it refuses to turn any further.

With the pushrod still pushed in as far as it will go tighten the slotted bolt so that the pushrod will not plunge out when released.

Remount the tensioner to the cylinder block. If the tensioner is not going in turn the crankshaft clockwise slowly to get slack in the cam chain on the intake side of the block.

Loosen the slotted bolt ? turn allowing the pushrod to advance towards the cam chain. Tighten the lock nut but leave the slotted bolt loose by that ? turn.

While turning the knob counterclock-wise, slowly rotate the crankshaft in reverse direction, counterclock-wise. This causes the chain to push the tensioner pushrod back.

Release the knob and slowly turn the crankshaft in the normal direction, clockwise. You should see the knob rotate as the tensioner pushes against the chain to remove slack. If it does the pushrod is obviously moving forward under spring pressure signifying the tensioner is in good operable condition. If it moves sluggishly or not at all that means the pushrod or the slotted bolt is sticking. If so remove the tensioner from the block again and inspect the pushrod. It could need cleaning or could be bent or galled. Further crank rotation will take the slack out of the cam chain.