Cam Chain Tensioner Upgrade

[motorcityrider]

I recently bought the 2003 R1150R with as of tonight 2800 miles on it, and was wondering if I should install the left side cam chain tensioner upgrade ? I think I can do it, but do not want to remove any parts I don't need to. Is there an up to date step-by-step pictorial for the R? Also, What improvements will I notice if I do this?

[BoxerSteve]

I recently installed the upgraded cam tensioner on my '02 to get rid of noisy clatter on startup. It would rattle like hell for a few seconds when first started, and though from what I understand it didn't hurt anything, it was annoying and even embarrassing. The new tensioner made a big difference. The job wasn't that hard; I managed it without taking off throttle body or anything else. I weaseled the old one out and the new one in with just a bit of finesse.

Is your bike rattling on startup? If not I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[GypsyRR]

Here are some good links from previous posts that will answer some of your questions.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16695&start=0&hilit ... +tensioner

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15468&start=0&hilit ... +tensioner

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=7891&start=0

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=4657&start=0

[iowabeakster]

Agreed, the only improvement will be that you get rid of some "clatter". I thought I was going to do this myself a couple years ago. I was feeling cheap and I procrastinated. Now it is much quieter, I'm glad I procrastinated.

You can do it without removing any extra parts. Not a hard job at all, if you have a variety of extensions and U-joints for your sockets. I took the old tensioner out for the heck of it once. I used a 4" (approximately) extension and a U-Joint on my ratchet, plus the 17mm socket (the replacement tensioner uses a 15 mm). I finagled the extensions between the telelever arm and the engine. You don't have much room to work, but it can be done. Then it is a matter of fishing the spring and piston out of the hole with a bent wire or hook, possibly a magnet.

Here is Boxer's tutorial with pictures, he moved the throttle body out of the way.
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=4657&start=0