KZ1000J, Cam Chain Life

Hello,
Looking for any insight on cam chain life on a KZ1000J model. Currently the bike has 26,000 miles on it with about 4700 miles logged after a top end rebuild. Motor presently seems tight; makes good horsepower and generally sounds good. Tensioner has been checked recently and is operating as specified. Motor has been run with a semi-synthetic oil since rebuild. In relation to listening to the motor, if there are issues with the cam chain, what should I be hearing? Also at what mileage typically is a replacement required for a J motor? I understand the Hyvo full loop link chain is used on this bike. Replacement would mean tearing motor down to bottom end. Are there chains for this bike with a master link to avoid this? Is this a safe way to go for replacement if required?

Thanks in advance.

That motor uses the newer style chain ,Im not aware of a master linked version of it.
Before you get too worried Id measure a section of the chain for stretch,did you replace any idlers or guides while it was apart?

I would have to go back and check my records but I suspect the cam chains related components were left as is. The rebuild was 13 years ago so my memory is failing me. The comment from my mechanic at the time and when brough up later was he could have addressed the cam chain at the time but their was nothing that lead him to believe he needed to.

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationHi Vintage, like most things the life expectancy varies in accordance with how it is used/abused or taken care of. J series motors can attain high milages without a camchain swap

The automatic camchain tensioners can become lazy, either with age or contamination. swaping to a manual one is well worth doing and can releave unwanted noises




You can buy rivet link chain for the J series and i have fitted them myself, however they all follow with a warning............

We do not reccommend that you cut and rivet the chain yourself at home in the workshop as incorrect fitment could result in engine seizure and possible serious injury from a resulting accident. Always fit the correct length chain endless and if you do not have the correct tools to do the job then have the job done by your nearest qualified motorcycle mechanic.

Puffin thanks.
My preference would be to stay with the OEM tensioner if I did anything. That said, would the parts to replace in the tensioner to ensure it's smooth operation with the chain be the push rods for the cam chain and tensioner plus the springs for each? I will have to check what was done when it was last looked at.

The automatic cam chain tensioner has been replaced in many bikes with the manual types, as the owners feel the automatic can over tension the chain. Here's one brand many riders use:
www.kriegercamchaintensioners.com/

26k miles shouldn't have caused much cam chain wear unless the engine was run without oil. Ed

I've bought 3 of these from krieger for the Z1's and so far no problems . does the same job as the APE manual tensioner but these are not anodized.
ape sells a quality tensioner which I have used many times, kreiger just sells for less.........

www.kriegercamchaintensioners.com/

your hyvo cam chain should have plenty of life left at 22k .

Average chain life is 40k.
They usually come with a master/soft link in with a new chain to cover both options.
Be VERY carefull if using the rivet link, i have seen many snapped chains and wrecked motors due to the link being riveted too tight.
They are much more difficult to rivet than the normal roller chain.
Best to replace the chain each time the motor is stripped or treat your motor to a freshen up when it hits over 40k.

If it ain't broke....don't fix it...

Dragging a thread into the 2020's.  Is it possible to change out the cam guides with just the top valve cover removed? I have a 26,000m bike with what sounds like a noisy cam chain on low revs/tick over. 
I will go down the manual tensioner route but wondering if it's also worth swapping the guides out if easily removeable. 
Cheers.

I bet you have to remove the cylinder head.