84 XR Cam chain question

[ThanatosF]

I came across a thumpertalk forum from years ago where some one said that if you can wiggle the cam chain while its on the sprockets and the tensioner is tightening it, its really time for a new chain. Is this true? I can wiggle mine and don't want to damage my engine.

84 Honda XR350

[Trailryder42]

"Wiggle" it is kinda vague. As the chain wears, it elongates(gets longer). I would equate checking cam chain wear to checking final drive chain wear. Being able to grab a link and pull it up and away off of the sprocket more than half the depth of the sprocket tooth.

Elongation opens up the link so that there's a lot of slop between the front and back side of the sprocket tooth. Being able to push/pull the chain around the sprocket circumference and feel slop is a wear indicator too.