Newbie with questions

[Steve44]

Hi guys, I am new to the site, recently purchased a 1999 p reg firestorm, my first big v twin, been riding since year dot but never owned a v twin, I must say pleasantly surprised, my only concern are the horror stories about cam chain tensioners, mine has done just 21,000 do I need to worry? Should I replace hydraulic tensioners with manual, what should I look or listen out for? I have had an old vfr for a few years with gear driven cams so not had to worry,
Look forward to chatting with like minded folk, cheers Steve

[lumpyv]

well I would , and have . I have gone the route of manual tensioners, some modify the existing ones.

theres only about 1000 hours of reading on here regarding the tensioners. also research reg/rec probs and the lower suspension link . none of it is very expensive if done before it fails .....

enjoy your new toy .. most bang for your buck you will get

[Steve44]

Thanks for the reply I will get the manual ones ASAP, is there any you reccomend as I have seen a few on eBay? Also the reg rec problems you mention wood that be over charging the battery, I have just fitted a new battery and checked on tickover with multi meter and it read between 15&17 amps is this ok I thought it shod be about 14?

[Steve44]

Would not wood typo sorry

[sirch345]

The standard CCT's (Cam Chain Tensioner) are not hydraulic, it's the spring inside them that fails. Manuals will give you piece of mind, but they do need to be fitted correctly.

You should be getting a voltage reading at the battery between 13.5 and 15.5 volts, that's at tick over with lights off. Not sure where you are from, so if lights are permanently on obviously slightly less for both figures. If your getting readings of 17 volts I would be careful you don't damage your new battery.

The problem with the earlier type rectifier is that it has no cooling fins, this shortened it's life compared to ones with fins. The best replacement is a MOSFET rectifier, but they are not cheap, 2nd hand or new, but IMHO worth having.

Welcome aboard

Chris.

[Steve44]

Thank you I live in England and run with lights on permanently, I will check the voltage again, I do about 15,000 miles per year on my bikes so I need piece of mind that all is going to be good, thanks for replies guys appreciated.

[Flatline]

Welcome aboard

You can use Yamaha rectifiers or other Honda ones

Look in the workshop section

Where are you located?

[alanfjones1411]

Welcome to the asylum.I have bought Krieger cct's from markgayle in USA they arrived within a week with no customs charge and they are being fitted next week hopefully.I too have been riding for a looong time and this is my first Vtwin.Luv it.

[Steve44]

Hi guys, thank you all for the input, are the manual cct's on eBay any good? They look the part, how easy are they to fit, is it a case of take out the old and fit the new and then adjust, I can do most of my own maintainence but not cams, chains and timing not sure, all the other things like reg rec, swing arm linkage, wheel bearings I can do.

[Wicky]

Kreiger, APE, Bazza and Ade Whitmarsh's Manual CCTs > http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 16&t=22720

Sourcing and fitting a Mosfet R/R > http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic ... ty#p351416

*** Read Me for New Members *** Bike Maintenance and Upgrades/Modifications (inc fitting manual CCTs) > http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 45#p304638

[AMCQ46]

Welcome to the club....



Do the stopper :

[Kev L]

Welcome to the forum mate, don't take a chance with the cct's take a safe option and either do the stopper mod or fit manuals. Hawk treats them as service items and changes them (standard for standard) at given mileages and hasn't had issues. You pay your money and take your pick. I fitted manuals to mine but do your research and make a choice, quickly!

[darkember]

Hi there and welcome. Yes Manuals or the Stopper mod it doesn't matter which but get them done as with the rectifier.

[Steve44]

Thanks to all I am going to contact a garage today for prices on the cct's, ride safe

[darkember]

Thanks to all I am going to contact a garage today for prices on the cct's, ride safe

You will find garages will tend to steer clear of manuals and will probably not have heard of the stopper mod. They certainly will not fit them as they are not a standard Honda item.