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  • Timing chain life

    Hello all,

    I have a very basic question, which im sure many of you would be able to answer. Someone please do.

    I bought a second-hand bike in february this year, a 5 year old bike which had clocked only 20 k kms and had been taken care of nicely with regular servicing and sane driving. The bike was a Kinetic Velocity, and it is not in production anymore so i got it very cheap.

    Now, the problem is in the 8 or 9 k kms that i have been riding it, i have had to get the timer chain kit changed twice. Each time it was changed, the bike came out new, with almost nil vibes and the engine noise was completely reduced. I mean, i was convinced that it was money well spent. My mechanic also claimed that the chain kit needs to be changed every 4k kms or so.

    I happened to mention it to a friend whose hero honda splendor has clocked more than 40k kms in 5 years and is still butter smooth in all respects. He told me he has never had any problem with the timer chain, let alone getting it replaced.

    Now my worry is can there be something wrong with my bike that is causing the timer chain to wear out or is it normal?

    Please help.

    Vaibhava

  • #2
    Help Topic Approved
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    • #3
      17 views and no replies?
      Please help.

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      • #4
        I'v heard from more than one sources that the timing chain can easily last 100,000 km or so... approx. same as the engine life. That is at least for the Hondas. Of course, life will also depend on the oil. Don't know about other bikes, but having to change it every 4,000 km can only be a very bad joke or a very bad engine.

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        • #5
          have no idea with kinetic velocity but i have seen bikes with almost 50k kms on the speedo and still doesnt need to replace timing chain ...
          for every 4k kms thats too early so may be something wrong with ur bike....please check with ur mech again..

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          • #6
            Thanx guys.
            I thought so. Can anybody shed some more light on this?

            As for the engine oil, i have been using valvoline. I believe it's the mineral one. Costs Rs.226 a liter. Replaced it 4 times in the past 10 months.
            Last edited by vaibhava; 10-16-2009, 04:38 PM.

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            • #7
              I had to replace it on my ZMA in a span of 2 years! Damn...
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              http://www.facebook.com/yashdeepsinghtanwar

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              • #8
                ^^^ How many km in 2 years? Thats more important!

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Raccoon View Post
                  ^^^ How many km in 2 years? Thats more important!

                  Oh.. Ahem!! 20K!! What do ya say?
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                  http://www.facebook.com/yashdeepsinghtanwar

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Raccoon View Post
                    I'v heard from more than one sources that the timing chain can easily last 100,000 km or so... approx. same as the engine life. That is at least for the Hondas. Of course, life will also depend on the oil. Don't know about other bikes, but having to change it every 4,000 km can only be a very bad joke or a very bad engine.
                    I am with raccoon. The life of material is depending on installation of spare, riding, servicing periods and quality of material.
                    Change in spare like in 4K then I am pretty much sure, there is some WOWOWOWOW!!!!!!!!!! matter inside the engine.
                    "CorePower"
                    Motorcycle Performance
                    Pune

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                    • #11
                      The life of the timer chain as raccoon said is equivalent to the engine life.Moreover changing the timing chain at every 4k is a joke.One question do you also change the chain guides also cause if the guides are rough or damaged they can damage the timing chain.
                      Socha Toh Locha.

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by yashdiep View Post
                        Oh.. Ahem!! 20K!! What do ya say?
                        What can I say other than offer my sympathies on the untimely demise of such a young life, & bla, bla?

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                        • #13
                          you would need to check the owner's manual, and go through the pages where the maintenance intervals and maintenance items are mentioned. That will be the best guide to tell you, whether its mentioned that the timing chain should be adjusted/checked/or replaced also.

                          Moreover quality of spares, and spurious parts can also dramatically reduce the life of these items. Or if the gears are worn out, then also the chain will not last long.

                          -Check the condition of the gears, if they are not being replaced with the timing chain, and replace all three as a set.

                          -btw, how much does the chain etc cost???


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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Raccoon View Post
                            What can I say other than offer my sympathies on the untimely demise of such a young life, & bla, bla?
                            LOL mate..what do u have to say for a 6months old ZMA, done some 7.5k's and facing timing chain probs?
                            I will have have to get it fixed/changes ASAP

                            PS- I ride a ZMA-r
                            --HImanshu
                            ZMA'ingggggggg

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                            • #15
                              timing chain LOCHA?????

                              Originally posted by yashdiep View Post
                              Oh.. Ahem!! 20K!! What do ya say?
                              what you are saying is also true, in 20K you have replaced the chain kit. Well there are many things behind that change. But what raccoon said is not wrong too. Because after all it's a machine. You never know what will happen next. A brand new bike can have issue withtin 500KM. I have worked on that bike which was covered only 500km. I did complete the job in the Jungle when he wanted to climb the top of hill for his para-gliding purpose.

                              1. Quality of chain kit
                              2. Manufacturing issue.
                              3. Fitement problem.
                              4. Bad rating oil range.
                              5. Over heating and over strain on engine.
                              6. Rough riding.
                              7. Misalignment in cam shaft and chain. (Bearing)
                              "CorePower"
                              Motorcycle Performance
                              Pune

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