PeWe, I would at least like to by you a beer!
Upon disassembly of my recently
assembled motor I have to concur with PeWe's evaluation of the substandard components being distributed by the aforementioned e-tailer. The tensioner that I just extracted from my own engine, with
less than 2000 miles, is already showing signs of immanent failure. The failure is difficult to capture in pictures, and the tensioner wheel had not started to break apart yet, but there are cracks and splits both radially (around) and axially (across) the wheel. On top of that, these wheels are incredibly
soft as demonstrated by the amount of deflection I am able to achieve with just my thumb and forefinger of one hand (I had to hold the camera with my other hand).
At rest there is just a hint of what lurks underneath:
Add a little (a lot?) of deflection and a freaking gap opens up:
Another section of the wheel at rest:
Get a load of the amount of deflection I can impart with just two fingers, as well as the amount of separation already underway:
That was quite a bitter pill you served up there PeWe,
but I'm glad you did
. I was actually trying to sell this bike, and this could have ended badly for the new owner. This extra effort was well worth it as far as I am concerned and has proven to be a valuable lesson learned.
The extra labor involved has also motivated me to keep this bike. Looks like the new 4th over pistons and fresh cylinders will go on my "old reliable" ride and this one will get the CI 836cc treatment along with a Webcam 41 to help it breathe. Some APE HD cyl studs to round it out and I should be able to shave two seconds from my 1/4 mile E.T. ...
Now look what you started!