Cam chain and tesioner replacement

Can anyone tell me how long it would take to replace the cam chains and tensioners on my 2008 M800

WOW thats was a question I am sure most of us wasn't expecting, big job on one of these bikes. It isn't 1 cam chain and tensioner on the bikes its 2. Why do you think it needs changing and are you sure you just haven't mistaken the suzuki sewing machine sounding top end?

Was told it was the chains and tensioners because he said the tappets had been adjusted. But it is a tapping noise and quite loud.

Is it from both heads?
If you are not sure, cut a 2' length of hose pipe and put one end to your ear and hover the other end near the heads.

Hi Ray, I've looked into this myself and have even bought the parts in preparation, it's a major project! Firstly make sure the chains/tensioners NEED replacing, the sound of worn/faulty tensioners is a light clacking and rattle of the chain against the barrels rather than the tapping of the tappets and should come from lower down the barrels. It was a (rarely) reported issue on some of the earlier models (05/06) but there were mods made that should have addressed it by the '08 version you have so I'm betting on tappets which will always make some noise.
If it is the chains/tensioners then you have to take the engine out and strip it right down to crankcase (might even need the crank taking out?!) then rebuild with the new chains etc. I think I was quoted £1500 for a dealer to do it and 2-3 days work. You'd need to be pretty confident in your mechanics skills to attempt yourself, so make bloomin' sure there is a problem before you start!
If you do attempt it then please photo the process so I can learn from you!

Hi Ray

I had to have cam chain and tensioners replaced TWICE.

The mechanic said the auto tensioner had STUCK?

Bought mine 2001 (one of the first Volusia VL800s K1) the first time was after about three years but they only replaced them on one cylinder.

about four years later the other one needed replacing so I told them to replace both sets at the same time.

First time took about three weeks and cost just over £400

The second time took about 4 weeks because the parts had to be imported from Japan and cost me just over £800.

The symptoms were a steady rattling noise, which seemed to come from bottom end, for about two weeks then the noise started getting louder and actually sounded like the big ends had gone.

This is a major operation and I was shocked when I called in for an update and my bike was stripped down, engine out and cylinder heads off, and pieces everywhere, good job they knew what they were doing.

Regards Carl..........