2009 ST1300PA With maxed out timing chain

Had24get

Joined
Feb 7, 2020
Messages
5
Age
34
Location
Tucson
Hello out there, I'm about 90% ready to buy my third bike, after a 82' GL1100 and a 2002 ZX9R, but the seller has given me a heads up on a maybe serious issue.
He had a 24k service done on the ST1300 not too long ago and after they got finished going over the bike they put big letters across the service order that the timing chain has been extended to the maximum and needs replacing.
I've been doing research here and there and I'm wondering what exactly this means, since from my admittedly limited knowledge I would assume that the tensioners would be what I need replaced. But I've only had to do something similar on a buddies Buell and I'm not sure if this is going to be the same rodeo.
Background for me: Working as a mechanic on diesel trucks, but still a newbie. Did a few repairs on my Goldwing but no engine work, some electrical and miscellaneous on the Ninja again nothing in the engine though, but helped rebuild the top end of a Honda Shadow once.
I'm generally considered to bepassable at wrenching so I'd like to see if I can tackle this myself, once I know what I should be looking to buy for parts.
Also, hello to all here, hoping to have some fun on two wheels with you all here shortly.
 
Also, the bike was used as a police bike for a few years, but looks and sounds to be in decent shape.
I'd like to be proactive and get this done before I start it as my daily driver, since I've been known to try racking up miles.
 
What’s the mileage? These bikes go easily over 100k, stretched timing chains are not an issue that I know of. Not an easy job if that’s true, you don’t just replace the tensioners but the whole chain. My tensioners were maybe halfway out at 79k, sounds like the stealership wants to make bank.
 
Yeah.... dealership trying to generate $$ due to not being able to sell as many bikes as in the past.

If it's a police bike, I would be more inclined to think the clutch needs replacing but not the timing chain.. heck, I don't recall ever hearing of anyone here even doing that. They should be good for the life of the bike and some there are well into 200,000 miles... Maybe when they did the 24k service, they screwed it up and are now trying to use the timing chain as a way to cover that mistake.

I'd personally move on and find a different bike... too many 'strange' things that are questionable... too bad for the original owner but just what I would do.
 
Mellow said:
I'd personally move on and find a different bike... too many 'strange' things that are questionable... too bad for the original owner but just what I would do.
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+1 There are too many good bikes out there to burden yourself with one with a dubious history. To me, peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks...
 
My initial thoughts is someone is dealing with a dishonest or seriously uninformed mechanic. The ST1300's timing chain does not have any life-of-engine service requirements or have a service life limit. It would be highly unlikely to have one tensioner bad at 24,000 miles much less both and even then you would be recommended to replace the tensioner and not the chain. I've been hanging around ST1300s a long time and timing chain wear is simply not something that comes up with this engine.
 
Welcome to the forum from Cornwall UK! I would be inclined to walk away from this particular bike and look elsewhere. See the bikes for sale on this forum for an idea of prices, mileage etc.
 
Mellow said:
I'd personally move on and find a different bike... too many 'strange' things that are questionable... too bad for the original owner but just what I would do.
Click to expand...
Another +1. Personally, I'd never buy a used police bike, no matter the miles, condition or price... too many other good options out there with much less risk. Outside of specialty use, would anyone want a used police car?
 
Sounds bogus to me. First the ST1300 has two timing chains, not a single timing chain. Secondly, the tensioners are automatic so how would they know they are at the limit? There's no manual adjustment range they could have gauged that by. Thirdly and adding a voice to the above, there's no scheduled replacement interval, in most engines that timing chains they are designed to last the life of the engine. For the ST1300, that's somewhere north of 200,000 miles, if any one has even found the limit yet. I would not worry about this.
 
Welcome to the forum!

If you want the bike checked out, contact Larry (@Igofar) on the forum here. He isn't too far from Tuscon.

Larry, our resident ST1300 GURU (whisperer) , would be able to tell you if it is worth it or not. Look him up! :thumb:
 
Had24get said:
Hello out there, I'm about 90% ready to buy my third bike, after a 82' GL1100 and a 2002 ZX9R, but the seller has given me a heads up on a maybe serious issue.
He had a 24k service done on the ST1300 not too long ago and after they got finished going over the bike they put big letters across the service order that the timing chain has been extended to the maximum and needs replacing.
I've been doing research here and there and I'm wondering what exactly this means, since from my admittedly limited knowledge I would assume that the tensioners would be what I need replaced. But I've only had to do something similar on a buddies Buell and I'm not sure if this is going to be the same rodeo.
Background for me: Working as a mechanic on diesel trucks, but still a newbie. Did a few repairs on my Goldwing but no engine work, some electrical and miscellaneous on the Ninja again nothing in the engine though, but helped rebuild the top end of a Honda Shadow once.
I'm generally considered to bepassable at wrenching so I'd like to see if I can tackle this myself, once I know what I should be looking to buy for parts.
Also, hello to all here, hoping to have some fun on two wheels with you all here shortly.
Click to expand...

As others have said, welcome to the forum.
At 24K on it, that sounds odd the chain would be on it's last legs. Given the costs involved with repairing that (if it is bad) you'd need to get the bike a decent price. If not, you could likely get something else for the same (or cheaper) that may be a turnkey option. I assume the goal is to ride over wrenching ;)
 
Bike has only about 70k miles on it currently. He just got the 24k service done. And he's only asking $2000 for the bike. But looking at the forum that's not all that great a price since someone nearby is asking the same for a much better option lol.
 
wjbertrand said:
What worries me is that there is something else wrong with the bike and the dealer doesn't understand what it is or is misrepresenting it.
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Oh, you mean like maybe the counterbalancers are out of adjustment...I've heard that one before, where the dealer wanted to rebuild the engine! :well1:

But now that we know it's a Cop Bike with over 70K miles on it...it's time to run... as far away from it, as possible! :think1:
 
Had24get said:
Bike has only about 70k miles on it currently. He just got the 24k service done. And he's only asking $2000 for the bike. But looking at the forum that's not all that great a price since someone nearby is asking the same for a much better option lol.
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Run Forrest, Run
:rofl1:
 
PM sent the the OP, standing by the white courtesy phone.
I gotta ask......where did you find/see this bike, and who is selling it?
Do you have a link or contact info?
 
Had24get said:
I'm generally considered to bepassable at wrenching so I'd like to see if I can tackle this myself, once I know what I should be looking to buy for parts.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't know for my ownself but will affirm the general consensus of a very knowledgable pool of members is that this is your opportunity to dodge a bullet.

Buying a used STP is always a dicey issue especially if you're not a really good wrench or have access to someone who is. Not saying you should avoid STPs if that's what you want but the ice is much thicker elsewhere– if you get my drift.
 
Timing chain? Does the OP mean the cam chain (it's not called the timing chain in the manual)? Are not these chains bathed in lubricating oil? Who has ever heard of one wearing (aka stretching) out?
 
Had24get said:
Found the until post on Craigslist, I have sellers phone number but I already told him I'm pretty hesitant at this point after all the advise on here.
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Mr.Had, walk away, check out the classifieds on here and buy a gud un.
These things are cheap these days, but with having Larry on your doorstep there could be no better bike to consider.
Upt'North.
 
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