It's a deal. Let's wait until it's under 100 out next time though!!

Nice writeup. What happens when this one reaches the end? Tear the engine down and put a new chain in? I would hate to think that I might have to tear the engine down before 100,000 miles.

I'm curious if the people making it to 30k are using synthetic and the people going 15k are using conventional or if there's no correlation. Or if its more related to rpm. One of life's mysteries.

Originally Posted by twowheeladdict

Nice writeup. What happens when this one reaches the end? Tear the engine down and put a new chain in? I would hate to think that I might have to tear the engine down before 100,000 miles.

Technically chain life should be unrelated to tensioner life if the tensioner is kept in working order. But if you wait until chain failure then its bent valves and a head job most likely. Haven't seen anyone get to chain failure yet.

My guess is harder running makes the chain stretch quicker. Most everyone is using synthetic these days, including the dealers.

Argue this if you will but years of experience taught me chain drives in two senarios. (constant velocity vs muti- velocity) will not show the same wear/stretch characteristics. So the amount of highway miles vs stopping and going or roll-off/roll-on will determine the wear factors on "some" engine components including the cam drive chains. Im also intersted in how the drive gears for the chains fair as far as "Shark toothing" is concerned. I'm sure there are some that have ventured as far as to tearing the engine down and inspecting these along the way.

This a good write up and good pictures, kudos to all of ya' .
I realize most are using the synthetic oils , which I have not run even Mobil 1 in my dually for a long long time. Just for conversation sake and the personal experience I have had with roller lifters in our 540 CID and the 637 CID , the use of the BRAD PENN oils have proven to be a very reliable lubricating longer wear life with the roller lifters. BRAD PENN is making the V-Twin motorcycle oils that I started using in the Mean Streak. Although at my mileage of 9600 miles I too have not heard the tapping noise . May have to use a stethoscope to start listening better and get some form of baseline recorded in my mind and go from there.
Again, good write-up.

Is there an audio anywhere of what this sounds like?

Originally Posted by Rasmith

Argue this if you will but years of experience taught me chain drives in two senarios. (constant velocity vs muti- velocity) will not show the same wear/stretch characteristics. So the amount of highway miles vs stopping and going or roll-off/roll-on will determine the wear factors on "some" engine components including the cam drive chains. Im also intersted in how the drive gears for the chains fair as far as "Shark toothing" is concerned. I'm sure there are some that have ventured as far as to tearing the engine down and inspecting these along the way.

First time doing this (commenting on my own post)

I put this out again..Im still looking for factual conformation.
In my technology, I've worked extensively with chain driven components that alter RPM and start&go. I've designed self tensioners and through my R&D have always hit a wall on one thing. As the chain stretches, the chain's pitch changes. The sprocket however does not stretch to match the chain's pitch. What happens is as the chain's rollers fall in the valleys of the sprocket teeth, the first one or two rollers match the sprocket pitch but because the pitch is stretched in the 1,000ths you wont notice it until you've gotten to where the 3rd or 5th roller seats in the 3rd or 5th sprocket valley. At this point the chain's roller tends to ride high up on the tooth rather than in the valley. This riding creates an effect called shark toothing because of the type of wear it creates on the sprocket teeth...

It would be interesting to hear what the cam sprocket looks like at high milage but I have yet to find anyone that has a high milage MS

Thank you for the pictures this makes it far less intimidating! The link is amazing!

That is what makes this site great! Everyone helping each other.

Is this just a MEAN STREAK feature? Do other Kawas have the same design?

Originally Posted by streak07

I'm curious if the people making it to 30k are using synthetic and the people going 15k are using conventional or if there's no correlation. Or if its more related to rpm. One of life's mysteries.

19K using Synthetic, or at least semi. RotellaT6..
Not hard on the bike either however a lot of highway miles at 4200RPM

Originally Posted by Rasmith

19K using Synthetic, or at least semi. RotellaT6..
Not hard on the bike either however a lot of highway miles at 4200RPM

you run about 80mph?

75-80.. on open highway, you bet..Usually keep it around 76