I have been doing some reading about different set ups for the cam chain tensioners. The problem seems to be with the pad wear more than the set up. I know no pads with gear or hydro setups, but is there a better replacement pad made for the original set-up ?
I have HEARD-SAY that the newer shoes were made a little better so the Second set in a bike would last Longer than the first...:lolrolling
I don't believe they were changed as they STILL crack-chip and come apart.. The second set of shoes SEEM to last Longer because of "chain wear",,,, as the chain smooooooths out,,, shoe wear is Not as early on.. IMO
The gear drives are a Good thing in Your bike as the crank runout is probably NOT bad like in some newer 96" bikes of today..
The Hydraulic tensioner(soft material) in my bike were Hardly showing Any wear when last apart for a New cam plate..(20,000 m.) I did replace the Front pad(outside cam plate)
The rear one on the inside, holding cams tight, looked as new as New, so I left it alone.. The New style, front Hydraulic tensioner, Will show some wear early on, Until it gets a groove in it,,, then settles down to a LONG wear process.. It did Not need changing but I did.
either way for your bike will work....AND IF you replace the shoes, so be it.. Go another 20,000 or so and re-check them..
I just don't like the "Orange ceramic shoe materials" wearing off there. They are ABRASIVE and NOT magnetic. They travel thru the motor Until caught in the oil filter.. Prime candidate for early rod and bearing life loss... Let alone, Chips get into the gerotors in the oil pump.
The new material used on the New hydraulic style IS NOT an abrasive material ,,, so someone in engineering FINALLY thought the same way I do about the ceramics.
signed....BUBBIE