Hyosung cam chain tensioners

[Weaver]

I've just received a letter from Hyosung New Zealand telling me that I should get the cam chain tensioner upgraded on the GT250R which I no longer own.
The letter goes onto say that I should get this done as soon as possible to [I]avoid any serious engine failure and inconvenience.[/I

I imagine anyone who has ever purchased a GT250R brand new will or has received this letter as well.

[Katman]

That's interesting.

I wonder if Hyosung will be willing to supply tensioners at a reasonable price or if they're going to be ridiculously expensive like most of their other parts.

[Weaver]

That's interesting.

I wonder if Hyosung will be willing to supply tensioners at a reasonable price or if they're going to be ridiculously expensive like most of their other parts.

I forgot to add that this will be done at no charge and only takes thirty minutes.

[CookMySock]

That's interesting.

I wonder if Hyosung will be willing to supply tensioners at a reasonable price or if they're going to be ridiculously expensive like most of their other parts.

We got the letter. Took the bikes to Undies. Tensioner swapped in one hour flat. Total cost to us - $0. Bike mechanic scratches his head and cant see any problem with the old one.

We too are a little surprised at the cost of Hyo parts. New tank, swingarm, dash (for example), are all around $1500 local retail.. each.. I can import them myself from RichardHyosung at about 1/3 of that... including freight. Some bits are cheap enough, indicator lenses and little things are cheaper locally.

Steve

[BiK3RChiK]

Yeah, we got the letter a month or so ago. Duly took the bikes in and the job was done at no cost to us, as it is a factory re-call.

Not all GT250R's are affected, but if you own one, then it is recommended you get in touch with your local dealer, as they have a list of the serial numbers of bikes which are affected.

[xwhatsit]

I forgot to add that this will be done at no charge and only takes thirty minutes.

That's a pretty good time for swapping a camchain tensioner -- is that both cylinders?

Wonder what's so wrong with it. You don't hear of those Hyo 250 twins blowing up from camchains going, especially compared to some of Hondas best (the VT250s etc.).

[Katman]

I forgot to add that this will be done at no charge and only takes thirty minutes.

Even if the bike has been on-sold to a new owner?

[CookMySock]

That's a pretty good time for swapping a camchain tensioner -- is that both cylinders?

Yes. They are very easy to work on.

Wonder what's so wrong with it. You don't hear of those Hyo 250 twins blowing up from camchains going, especially compared to some of Hondas best (the VT250s etc.).

Serious? I have heard of one GT250R engine going pop, that PROBABLY was camchain related.

Even if the bike has been on-sold to a new owner?

Yes.

Steve

[disenfranchised]

What year bikes have you got?
I haven't seen a letter yet, and my bike is coming up due for a service soon.

Will follow up with the bike store.

[BiK3RChiK]

The letter specifically stated that if you were no longer the owner of the bike, then please pass this letter on to the new owner, as they will need to take it in for the replacement part at no cost.

Big ups to Hyosung!

[Weaver]

What year bikes have you got?
I haven't seen a letter yet, and my bike is coming up due for a service soon.

Will follow up with the bike store.

Mine was an '07

[DarkLord]

How much are cam chains usually?

[CookMySock]

How much are cam chains usually?

Dunno. They are replacing just the tensioners, not the chains.

Steve

[tri boy]

Done quite a few of these recall tensioners over the last year.
Hyosung NZ need to be given a good rep for their handling of this.
It only affects a set production/frame numbering system but letters have been sent to all owners so they can have their frame number checked against the list supplied to dealers.
A few internal spiral springs in one or two tensioners failed, allowing the tensioner plunger to float a bit. In one extreme case, the cam chain jumped, and bent valves. Repairs were completed at no cost to the owner, except oil, and a small sundry charge.
The chains are fine.
Doing the front cylinder is easy, but care is needed on the the rear, as the chain easily jumps a tooth on the crank, as the old tensioner is pulled.
Cam covers need to be removed to hold the chain up, so their is a bit of mucking around.
If you own a GT/GV250. get your frame number cross referenced at dealers.
Best time to get them replaced is at service time as the valve clearance check can be included while the covers are off. Saves your favourite w/shop a bit of lost time, as they only receive a small flat rate from the factory. (flat rate worked out by doing the tensioner job on an engine that is out of the frame, ie removing fairing/tank/moving wires, hoses, brackets etc are not included in the time allocation).

[xwhatsit]

Saves your favourite w/shop a bit of lost time, as they only receive a small flat rate from the factory. (flat rate worked out by doing the tensioner job on an engine that is out of the frame, ie removing fairing/tank/moving wires, hoses, brackets etc are not included in the time allocation).

I always wondered what workshops get for these service bulletin-type jobs.

I'm waiting for this to turn into another piece of ammunition for the Hyosung-baiters. However if anything it seems like a positive point. Certainly handled very well and as I mentioned before, for a company like Hyosung where the 250 engines comprise the bulk of their motorcycle lineup (not including scooters -- do the GT125s sell in anywhere as high numbers overall), a camchain tensioner recall isn't too bad when you look at Honda or Yamaha over the years. Or Suzuki (service bulletin on cracking frames ).

Looks like a job well done then -- should've been designed right in the first place, but they got the rest of the engine right and dealt with the bug that did crop up.