2001 Suzuki DR200

 Anyone know if the cam chain tensioner on subject bike is self
adjusting, or does it need human attention on occasion?

I set the valves at .003 inch (was In. .004 Ex. .005) and it quieted the
engine noise down some, but it's still a bit louder then I'd like. The
bike is new to me, and maybe I'm just not used to the sound of a little
Suzuki.

Thanks.

 Mike Corey wrote:

Theoretically, the cam chain adjuster will do its thing all by itself, but,
internal friction could conceivably cause the automatic tensioner to stick.

http://www.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/showschematic.asp?dept_idp6707

You can see the ratcheting mechanism on the side of the tensioner in this
view. When installed initially the pusher was retracted all the way into the
housing, then the mechanic installed the spring and the cap and the spring
pushed  the pusher into contact with item #3, which pushes against the chain.

The ratchet keeps the pusher from moving backwards.

If the cam chain sounds loose to you, you can remove the plug, item #9 and
push gently at the end of the spring. If you hear one click, that's about all
the adjustment it needs.

If you push too hard and the ratchet clicks twice, the tensioner was stuck
for a long time or you pushed too hard. The nylon strip will wear out faster.

It's easy enough to remove the tensioner and reset it and reinstall it as I
described above.

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Automatic, self-adjusting and bullet-proof.



It is a slightly noisy engine anyway.

--
BMW K1100LT  750SS  CB400F  CD250  SL125
GAGARPHOF#30 GHPOTHUF#1 BOTAFOT#60 ANORAK#06 YTC#3
BOF#30 WUSS#5  The bells, the bells.....

 Thanks for the replies. I'm beginning to agree that the slightly noisy
DR200 engine is just the nature of the beast. I'm comparing it to my
Daughter's Honda CRF150F which is very quiet. Probably not a good
comparison. Another thing that may be throwing me off, this is the first
bike in many years that I've owned that has such a quiet exhaust. The
engine seems louder because the exhaust is so quiet.