Kawasaki VN1500 Meanstreak Cam Chain Tensioner Upgrade 

Great, helpful video - mine has the noise from the chain, 35,000 miles, now I know what to do about it. Thanks.

You have the best description by far on how this is done. Very direct , simple . Thank you. Im doing mine today.

This seems like a temporary solution. If the chain is already stretched then putting the extenders on will give them more time but after a year or two wouldn't the chains need replaced?

Isn’t it best to replace the camchain once it gets stretched to the end of the tensioner?

I just bought a VN1600 2006 model that has a slight ticking. I have ordered cam chain tension extenders, and I hope they will fix the ticking sound. How about if my bike already has extenders? Any risk it will fall off and drop inside the motor when I take out the tensioners?

Thanks a lot, magnificent tutorial, easy to understand.

Really helpful video. Thank you for taking the time to make it! Did panic a bit when I saw that my bike still had the air intake bridge blocking the front tensioner but I got small fingers so worked around it. Started her and all seems fine at the moment 👍

New drinking game… take a shot every time he says “wee”. Just kidding. Great video. I just got my hands on a 2000 VN1500 Classic and it has a bit of noise up top and I think this is my most likely culprit. This video is exactly what I needed to see to help me figure out what to do. Thanks.

Hi Dan I have MeanStreak 1500 fuel injected. There is an issue to access the rear cylinder Chain Tensioner. there is Plastic duct which between cylinders and is obstructing access to the Chain tensioner. This duct is not possible to move away. Please give me some advise how to do it?

I just did this job it only tool a wee amount of time

can you please send me the link of where to get these I have a 2003 kawasaki meanstreak 1500..I want to get the right parts ..ty ...great video

Might be usefull to add the information that - depending on the position of the camshaft and the tension or grade of wear - the chain might skip when you remove the tensioner, which might pretty well result in a capital engine failure afterwards. Therefore Kawasaki has special marks for crankshaft and camshaft-position BEFORE work on or remove the tensioner. Almost all vids here on RU-vid lack this information as well as the one, that to much tension might pretty well lead to damages on the rails of the timing chain and/or the teething of the pinions of the chain. Cheap repair of clacking-sounds with pretty expensive following costs....

Man you deserve over a million subscribers very good video appreciate the information

Thanks.what about my 2006 1500 ?do i need to change?

I know its old video but why not remove tension assembly whole instead of removing it piece by peice on the bike

hey dan, was thinking about tackling this mod next.. in reading these replies, i found this one.. and validity to it? Tifftoff 11 months ago Might be usefull to add the information that - depending on the position of the camshaft and the tension or grade of wear - the chain might skip when you remove the tensioner, which might pretty well result in a capital engine failure afterwards. Therefore Kawasaki has special marks for crankshaft and camshaft-position BEFORE work on or remove the tensioner. Almost all vids here on RU-vid lack this information as well as the one, that to much tension might pretty well lead to damages on the rails of the timing chain and/or the teething of the pinions of the chain. Cheap repair of clacking-sounds with pretty expensive following costs....

Thank you

I've just purchased a 1995 kawasaki vulcan 88 1500cc has a rattling sound in one of the cylinders! Could this be caused by a worn tensioner???

Unfortunately my 2005 Nomad with 20k miles on it, chain stretched to the point of blowing a hole in the spark plug tube. Can't seem to find a video on replacing the tubes. I did find metal shavings in the pre screen filter, hoping all shavings were caught.

After $950 spent? The ticking is twice as loud now! I got seriously screwed! Thanks for nothing!

Unfortunately, this is the wrong way to go - the timing chain has been undersized from the first model in '89 to the present day. The chain is getting longer and longer, so it only helps to lengthen the chain tensioner for a short time. I have had very good experiences with DID chains, they are better than original Kawasaki chains.

The best repair for that is the APE Cam Chain Tensioner. It has none of the springs or ratchet BS. Pure Genius. Have two of them on my Kawasaki. Installed them 15 years ago. No problems at all.

One VERY important procedure not shown is to place the cylinder to top dead center on compression stroke. If not there is a good chance the cam, can jump a tooth or two when you remove the tensioner. Then you have to remove engine and retime each cam.

I have a 2003 1600 Vulcan Classic with 31250 miles . Just installed these today 8/29 . I heard a noise on the left side of the motor while riding on occasion. But when I pull the spark plug tubes the rear one on the right side of the motor had the marks from the chain hitting it. Install the spacers and did a long test ride she sounds good !

I'm surprised.why does no one bother with the fact that by increasing the stroke of the tensioner you violate the calculation of chain tension.as a result, this leads to the fact that the chain begins to saw the wells of candles, until the oil goes! Don't do that. If the tensioner is over, you need to change the chain, not extend the tensioner!

Buen video. Tengo una Kawasaki modelo 1,997 se me premdio la luz de aceite y temperatura 1,500cc alguien quee.pieda ayudar que se le puede arruinar

Hi, are the ethes for the vn 1500 Classic the same as the vn 1500 Mean streak? Thank you

Quick question! My rear tensioner is leaking a little bit after installing the extender, is it safe to remove the tensioner with out having the extender fall in the engine? I did use red loctite

Are the cam chain tensioners the same on a 2008 vulcan mean streak,and is it the same procedure to upgrade?

Hello . I have a vn 1600 nomad motorcycle and the clicking noise is heard when the machine is cold, but it decreases when it warms up. Is it the same problem?

I've got the same VMS and color to. How many miles or kilometers on yours when you did this? I'm second owner of the bike which has been well maintained and low mileage. It just turned 8,160 miles the other day. Should I already be considering this kit? Oops, sorry, if I had watched a few seconds more I would have heard your mileage. So you say it could be done on a new bike to? There wouldn't be a clearance problem with the larger adjustment button? I'm definitely going to at least pull mine to see how far the adjusters are out.

fantastic video I will be doing this to my 99 nomad 1500 for sure seems an easy job thank you for the informative video um just wondering where the second one is located and is it an easier time to get too

Thats a WEE bit of a good vid mate =) gona be doing this soon thanks for the upload.

hey how did the air box come out?

You can just drive the stock tensioner stop off with a punch and vice. Vice being loose at the pinch. You just need a solid surface. I thank you for the help. ✌🏻✌🏻👍

Great video... just bought a 1988 Vulcan 1500... price was a steal...$300... runs perfect except a little chain rattle... going to try this before new chains.. thanks

Thanks for your video, just changed my 1600 Nomad tensioner extenders and your video is a great tool to assist me.

Much appreciation for putting this very detailed and informative video together. I have a mean streak but it’s been sitting for years because the chain keeps getting loose. With your video I now have something else to try. Thank you again for putting your time into this video. I’m sure it’s going to help more then just me.

Moto - bro , help me get spare parts from ebay to Russia . Nomad 1500 .

Might eyeball mine this spring. Only @17k. Salute

Thanks man, very helpful. Even for other bikes.

Hello! This is the main problem of the VN1500 Meanstreak? I heard that this engine burns a little bit to much oil. It's true?

Thanks great video . Just one question, I was on a trip and had to drive bike with ticking sound . I went a few km then was able to trailer home should I change oil and filter in case of debris in motor. I know it wouldn't hurt.

VERT HELPFUL! THANKS. Was your bike making a particular noise or was it based on mileage alone?

How do you screw on the cap with the oil hose in the way

is there such a tensioner for the VN2000?

Thank you for your great video. Do I need to worry about the chain possibly falling off if chain is stretched too much? I didn't see your video talking about checking timing.

Mint mate, thanks

I'm a mean streak owner rider thank you for the video cheers from Australia

Tnx for great tips. The only extenders I can find is for Vulcan Classic. Will those fit Mean Streak?

Very helpful, thanks.

another question someone asked me and i didnt have an answer.. maybe you do? when you shift gears, do you pull the clutch handle all the waay in or half way? supposedly, halfway, saves the clutch. any ideas?

Great Video

Thank you so much I did them works flawlessly

Great video. Very helpful. Thank you.

yours is an abslute breeze compared to mine, it still had all the standard intaked on. what a nighmare! you made it a little easier tho thank you

Thanks for this video 🤙🏻

Will this be the same for a 2003 meanstreak...how do you remove the air crossover tube to access the driver side camshaft tensioner

My bike has done 42,000 k's aswell i think ill need to do mine too i guess, when i try find the parts

Hi,i have vn15se from '90 , and on the rear cylinder, is a drain pipe from the spark plug,there i see is a oil dripping...can be the tensioner the problem? (I am new owner of Vulcan) thank you for your help! Excuse my english!😁🤝🤝🤝 all the best

Super amount, very understandably explained. I have a question, can someone give me the exact measurements From the new Divide? Unfortunately there is no shipping to germany

well done thumbs up brother

All your Mean Streak videos are lifesavers! Fantastic work. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with idiots like me.

Great information. Thanks

Hey, wondering if you might have a link to the parts from this video. Thanks in advance

How do you adjust the tensioners if they haven’t been adjusted before

Great vid Dan......well communicated !!!

Great video man

Your content is incredible! I'm going to lower my dr650 the right way this weekend using your other video as a reference. Thanks again Keep the videos coming.

Whats the namne fore that part i think i need it fore my bike, Thomas sweden

GREAT VIDEO. GOT TO DO MY 2002 KAWASAKI VULCAN 1500 CLASSIC FI. WAITING FOR GASKETS. I'M AT 51,800 MILES. BIG TOM

Nice one Dan, I have been noticing a wee bit of a rattle in my meanie and have been anxious about changing my tensioners, you put my mind at ease, cheers lad. Mark

Mint mate, thanks

What about the 800 classic mine is at 44k and has started rattling

Would this need to be done on a 2007 VN900?

Thanks for the awesome videos for the mean streak! What shield do you have installed on there? Looks good

Thankyou!! great info and well presented!

Thanks for information

Where do you order the cam chain extenders from?

I welded metal washers on to the end of the adjusters and saved $30

1500ツアラーですが、おかげで異音が解消しました。ありがとうございます。tanks!

Yeah great video! Very helpful! Thanks!

Was there an o ring and gasket on the tensioner originally?

You weren't by any chance heading south towards ashburton on the DR today were you? Around roughly 1 - 2pm

How did you get rid of the air intake without removing the fuel tank?

this was very helpfull thanks.

Great video man Very detailed thank you

Brilliant vid. Thanks🇳🇴

Where can I buy them ?

Did you reroute your crankcase breather ? I did the air box mod to the right side and I have some oil getting into the filter now

Great video thank you!

part name for piece?

Did you not reinstall the big spring? I'm confused. I need to do this so I just want to clarify. Thank you.

Hi, did my Meanstreak tensioners today, want to say a big Thank You to you for your amazing video, see it's being used on a website as well by someone else to show how to do it. My Meanie was stock, no way could I take the air intake tube out so it was a frustrating time but got it done. thank you kind sir for your amazing videos, really appreciate your knowledge!

brilliant video,did any oil leak after running

Great videos.. especially the bearings one. I have an 02 meanie,and having the same issue now.. unfortunately i dont have the facilities to do the repair myself.. going to the dealer onfriday.. but your video was very informative.. im about to do the cam tensioner soon.. i have the parts ready to go.. im a little apprehensive on removing the left side air cleaner though..not sure what to expect when i pull off the cover..I look forward to more videos!. great bike! i love it

Nice, thanks!

Hi Dan, great video! Just wondering, where did you get that neat looking windscreen from?

I'm am glad I came across this video. I changed the cam chain extensions today the front one had three clicks left the rear was on the the last one my meanie has 22k on it so glad I saw this video it potentially saved me a lot of cssh

JUST A WEEE BIT LOL THANKS