Suzuki C50 Cam Chain/Top End Rebuild

A frequent problem with high mileage VL800 Suzukis, the cam chains stretch beyond what the tensioner can take up. This is a compilation of pictures from my result of rebuilding this portion of the engine.

[@digger105337]

Sounds much better, but you'd think they could make them less clicky to begin with. The nick name Angry Sewing machine is pretty accurate.😅

[@jefmatttab]

Great video always wondered about this particular engine

[@perfectfan2006]

wow i wish i lived next door to this guy. we have same bike ours is an 05 they look like twin brothers we really like the bike and have no intention of getting rid of it so some day i'm sure it will need the same repair as this guy did on this bike...

[@edwinkubena9944]

Have an 06 love it thanks for your video there are few directions on this

[@tayfunbas5040]

çok başarılı çalışma. uzun zamandır bekliyordum. çok beğendim. ben de yapacaktım ve bana yol gösterdi. teşekkür ederim.

[@sunsukchoi2882]

Hi Maury, I changed the rear cam chain by myself just like you did in the video but engine won't start since then. Did you do something for timing because I believe I disturbed it. Since I forgot to take a photo of the original condition, I had no idea on timing. I just rebuilt it everything then tried it but engine won't start. Before it had no problem except for the tickling noise. Any suggestion? Thank you.

[@mauryknudsen5397]

For timing, whether it's the front or rear cylinder, you leave the rear cylinder at top dead center. The cam sprockets have arrows on them. You want both arrows pointing to the front of the engine. If you didn't check that when you reassembled, I'd definitely go back in there and check the timing. At the very least you can crank it by hand and have someone watch the lifters move and someone else watch the TDC markings on the generator rotor to get an idea if the timing is off.

[@motorcyclezeal4813]

Wow that’s great work. Have you done anything like that before? How many hours did it take. I got the same bike that’s why I am curious. Thank you

[@mauryknudsen5397]

This was by far the biggest mechanical project I've undertaken. Hard to say how long it took in hours. It took me about 3 months worth of weekends to finish. I was armed with the Suzuki factory manual. I wouldnt have been able to do it without it (for things like aligning the cams, etc)

[@ericconway6523]

Hello where did you order all your parts from? Mine I pulled passenger side cover to see if chain has alot of slop and it does. Engine very noisy. I don't need new tensioners do I? Do you think it's the chains that stretch is the issue? If I buy all parts from where I find them it's looking like $600 or more. No thanks! That's literally insane how much they charge for these parts.

[@mauryknudsen5397]

I ordered my parts from Babbitts Suzuki online. I've heard the problem is simply the chains stretching but I went ahead and replaced everything for peace of mind. And yes, that sounds about right for what I spent in parts. This bike has sentimental value to me so I could more easily justify the cost.

[@JazzyLocke]

Wow---you got some good miles out of it before it went down. I have a 2008 C50T that started getting noisy at about 16000, and had more oil changes done then recommended always. At 24000 I did what you did. New chains, adjusters, and clutch. Pistons and rings still looked new. Tearing that engine down was a bitch, I did it myself. For that reason alone I'll never own another Suzuki. Still have it, ready to trade it.

[@bernardlandymore6772]

Just done one at 12000 miles, not impressed.

[@sunsukchoi2882]

Hi JazzyLocke, I changed rear cam chain by myself. just like the video but engine won't start since then. Did you do something for timing because I believe I disturbed it. Since I forgot to take a photo for the original condition, I had no idea on timing. Rebuild it everything but engine won't start. Before it has no problem without noise. Any suggestion? Thank you.

[@danielabundis1214]

So do you have to take both, the cylinder and head apart to replace the tensioners? And if you leave the old tensioners, can you replace the chains and guides without the cylinder/head tear down?

[@mauryknudsen5397]

The jugs can stay on for this, but to do the tensioner, the head does have to come off. As far as doing just the chains without removing the head, it is not possible as you have to lock the tensioner open (and pull the locking tool out once the chain is in place to tension it). I do not believe you can reach the ratcheting mechanism on the tensioner with the heads in place. I believe they have to come off regardless.

[@danielabundis1214]

Maury Knudsen Thank you so much for your quick response! Really appreciate that. Also, what type of puller do you need to get the flywheel and clutch housing out? You mentioned that a lot of heating/pulling was required, why was that?

[@mauryknudsen5397]

The rotor is pressed onto the crank with a lot of force (though it was actually quite easy to push back on). Suzuki sells a special rotor puller that threads on but I couldn't see buying that tool for one use. I used a harbor freight generic puller. It's the kind that has 3 claws.

[@danielabundis1214]

Maury Knudsen Gotcha!!! Thank you so much again.

[@mauryknudsen5397]

No worries. I'm glad to help keep more on the road.

[@romansidlak7769]

hi! i am preparing for the same repair. what gaskets i need to buy? or you use the old one?

[@mauryknudsen5397]

Definitely use new gaskets. You will need head gaskets and gaskets for the chrome covers on the engine at the very least. The first half of the head, the valve cover if you will, does not have a factory gasket. You must use a gasket compound. This is because of the plug for aligning the timing. It'll make more sense when you see it.

[@romansidlak7769]

@@mauryknudsen5397 thanks)

[@jasonsanderson9385]

I have a Sazuki Blvd c50 2006 6k miles, is this a issue I should be looking for due to age or just around 68k miles? Thanks in advance

[@mauryknudsen5397]

Not really sure. I've heard people say this happened to them at 30k, others like me around 60k. I'd just keep an ear out for noises after you rack up some more miles. There's a normal amount of solid lifter tick but if it increases and doesn't go away with a valve adjustment then the chain problem is likely starting. The good thing is you really don't need to address this problem until you get to where I was where it had actually jumped a tooth and gone out of time. Plus my cams were in really bad shape. But I do know a lot of people ride them like this without consequence, other than noise.

[@ajithcr436]

Great work. Sir plz tell me the timing marke. I don't know the timing marke.

[@mauryknudsen5397]

Each cam sprocket has an arrow on it. With the piston at tdc you want the arrow facing the front of the bike, parallel with the floor, and iirc.

[@ajithcr436]

@@mauryknudsen5397 in a video setting each cam

[@ajithcr436]

@@mauryknudsen5397 I fully confused. Because the another person remove the engine 😔

[@mauryknudsen5397]

When I said front of the bike I meant as if the engine were still in the frame. The engine does have to be removed for this job.

[@tylerthrash3155]

Did they fix this issue in the newer models like 2010- present?

[@mauryknudsen5397]

It is my belief from the observation of my particular case that the fault is the stretching of the chain, not the tensioner itself. While one could argue the tensioner could or should have more travel, I found mine to be in working order (however I replaced them anyway for peace of mind). That being said, I cannot give you a direct answer as I don't know. The best I can tell you is it would appear that for my 2006 and for the updated VL800 engine, the part number for the cam chains is the same.

[@tylerthrash3155]

@@mauryknudsen5397 rite on thanks for the reply. I just got my wife a 2012 c50t it only has 8,000 miles on it so I guess we will see.

[@digger105337]

​@@tylerthrash3155If the tensioner took up any more slack, the valve timing would change and performance would drop significantly. A wear indicator or trouble code would be a nice addition.

[@malin1218]

Hi. Where did you find Suzuki factory manual?

[@mauryknudsen5397]

I googled it and found a PDF. The one I found was for the Volusia, not the C50, but there are few differences.

[@malin1218]

@@mauryknudsen5397 Thanks. Greetings from Poland, 🙂

[@guccimann2247]

Does anybody have the part number for the complete kit or a price on how much it cost ??

[@mauryknudsen5397]

There isn't a kit for this, you'll have to order parts individually. I spent around $800 in parts but I also had to replace my camshafts which were over $100 a piece. Main goal was to replace the chains and guides (measurements confirmed the chains stretched) but I also replaced the tensioners too. Not entirely necessary but I felt better doing it while I was in there. Price wise you can probably cut it down to the $400-500 range.

[@guccimann2247]

@@mauryknudsen5397 thank you for the info

[@mattpierce7688]

Is there a tensioner per head, or just one total?

[@mauryknudsen5397]

One per head. The rear cam chain is on the right side of the engine (sprocket is behind the primary gear). The front cam chain is on the left side behind the generator rotor and starter ring gear.

[@mattpierce7688]

Thanks.

[@mattpierce7688]

@@mauryknudsen5397 what did u use to paint your block? That looks really good.

[@mauryknudsen5397]

I don't remember the brand. It was engine paint that I got at advance or AutoZone or one of those stores.

[@mattpierce7688]

@@mauryknudsen5397 nice ok, did u notice a performance difference after the job was done?

[@blackboy2010ful]

Where can I fine the parts

[@mauryknudsen5397]

Look up Babbitts Suzuki. That's where I got mine.

[@bawdee7765]

ชุดโซ่ราวลิ้นจะหาซื้อใด้ที่ไหนครับทั้ง2สูบ

[@EazyDuz18]

you couldve ran it like that another 100,000 miles, waste of money

[@mauryknudsen5397]

The chains weren't the only problem. The cams were trashed which was the main reason I pulled it apart.

[@Johnbeat100]

Really have tou had this problem before

[@ajithcr436]

Sir plz tell me the timing marke