Replacing chain and chain tensioner ... tough to replace?

snoopy · July 24, 2012, 11:22:10 PM

I was looking at buying a 3rd generation Magna that is being advertised on Craigslist. The bike is reported to not have a chain and and also a known bad tensioner. If I purchased the chain and tensioner to take over to the bike, would it be a difficult task to install it so I can test ride the bike, and then take them back off when I'm done? The price of the bike is good, but without being able to test ride it I don't know if I'd be able to adequately ascertain how good of shape the bike is in.

roboto65 · July 25, 2012, 11:00:24 AM

Does he mean the cam chain tensioner or drive chain tensioner which we know does not have one LOL those are both easy fixes.

snoopy · July 25, 2012, 11:22:39 AM

Quote from: roboto65 on July 25, 2012, 11:00:24 AM
Does he mean the cam chain tensioner or drive chain tensioner which we know does not have one LOL those are both easy fixes.

I'm not sure which tensioner. I'll ask him.

snoopy · July 25, 2012, 11:25:07 AM

Quote from: roboto65 on July 25, 2012, 11:00:24 AM
Does he mean the cam chain tensioner or drive chain tensioner which we know does not have one LOL those are both easy fixes.

He said it was the "chain tensioner" and that he estimated it would be $35-$45 to replace the bad part. So the bike doesn't have a chain tensioner?

hootmon · July 25, 2012, 12:23:42 PM

The only drive chain tensioner is the nuts you adjust at the end of the swing ARM...
I lost one and had to replace it.. if that part is missing, I can send you a replacement...

hop along · July 25, 2012, 03:35:45 PM

+1 to Hootman's comment, there is threaded rod with nut/locknut combo for drive chain tensioning.

If the bike has a stock toolkit, you can use those to adjust chain tension, as well as get the front drive sprocket cover off (uses allen key).
The trick is usually disengaging the clutch cable... for which I use a really long flathead screwdriver to wedge it off.
Probably a more correct method is to take the tension out of the clutch cable, *then* remove it.

All said and done, it's really quite easy.

The thing I wonder about... if it is a 'bad tensioner', does the owner mean the tension block and nuts are gone? Or the threaded rod is damaged (which can be easily done)? But I don't recall offhand if axle removal is required to insert said block... which would require supporting the rear end of the bike.

Hop Along

hootmon · July 25, 2012, 03:44:03 PM

Quote from: hop along on July 25, 2012, 03:35:45 PM
+1 to Hootman's comment, there is threaded rod with nut/locknut combo for drive chain tensioning.

If the bike has a stock toolkit, you can use those to adjust chain tension, as well as get the front drive sprocket cover off (uses allen key).
The trick is usually disengaging the clutch cable... for which I use a really long flathead screwdriver to wedge it off.
Probably a more correct method is to take the tension out of the clutch cable, *then* remove it.

All said and done, it's really quite easy.

The thing I wonder about... if it is a 'bad tensioner', does the owner mean the tension block and nuts are gone? Or the threaded rod is damaged (which can be easily done)? But I don't recall offhand if axle removal is required to insert said block... which would require supporting the rear end of the bike.

Hop Along

I lost mine because I digit to lock the nuts.. so no, you don't have to remove the axel to install..

roboto65 · July 25, 2012, 05:58:08 PM

This is the Cam Chain tensioner albeit taken apart LOL

If you look at the end of the swingarm you will see the drive chain tensioner.

Now if the nuts fall off the tensioner you will lose the back plate but not the tensioner but unless the plate is there you cannot tighten it up.

snoopy · July 25, 2012, 07:38:41 PM

Do you guys think it would be possible to determine that a Magna is healthy without riding it?

roboto65 · July 25, 2012, 08:50:31 PM

Yeah how many miles if the price is right honestly they are pretty bullet proof so unless the PO just ran the oil dry it should be fine not much that cannot be fixed beside bent parts the engine would be the least of my worrys.

snoopy · July 25, 2012, 09:12:32 PM

Quote from: roboto65 on July 25, 2012, 08:50:31 PM
Yeah how many miles if the price is right honestly they are pretty bullet proof so unless the PO just ran the oil dry it should be fine not much that cannot be fixed beside bent parts the engine would be the least of my worrys.

Mileage is about 27k+

hootmon · July 25, 2012, 09:26:37 PM

How long did he run it with a broken tensioner?
You can run them for a while with it broke, but just wondering

snoopy · July 25, 2012, 09:30:03 PM

Quote from: hootmon on July 25, 2012, 09:26:37 PM
How long did he run it with a broken tensioner?
You can run them for a while with it broke, but just wondering

I haven't actually gone to see the bike yet. It's about 52 miles away from me, so I wanted to get my ducks-in-a-row before I even thought about headeding out.

TLRam1 · July 25, 2012, 10:23:23 PM

What year and how much?

snoopy · July 25, 2012, 10:33:31 PM

Quote from: TLRam1 on July 25, 2012, 10:23:23 PM
What year and how much?

$2000 for a '98
No chain, no title.