KZ 1000J cam chain guides

I have a 98 KZ1000 Police (J engine) I'm working on that has a noisy cam chain. When I measure the slack per the service manual, the chain is 1 mm from being at the service limit. The tensioner cross wedge position gives the appearance of the chain being worn out. The bike has 54k miles on it, but I think the top end has seen some service fairly recently. The intake valves are really clean looking, viewed from the ports and all 4 cylinders have 175 psi compression. The bike will only be ridden infrequently, used to play around on, bike shows etc.
The tensioner guides are pictured below. Never really seen any worn out ones that looked this smooth and uniform.

I'm trying to consider my options. Splitting the cases is not really one of them.
1. Install a manual CCT to get (maybe) a little more adjustment.
2. Replace cam chain with a new one with a master link. I have the link press tool.

Thanks
 

Installed a new split chain in my 82 KZ1100A motor on March 24, 2022.
It was removed after 15K miles when the engine was disassembled in late 2024. 
I still have the like new chain and a new master link, but doubt I will need to use it again...though I would not hesitate one minute to do so!


December 3, 2024

🙂