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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Checked Cam Chain Tensioner
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Message started by Howitzer on 07/13/11 at 16:04:58

Title: Checked Cam Chain Tensioner
Post by Howitzer on 07/13/11 at 16:04:58

Checked my cam chain tensioner this week, and found it to be out 17.7mm. I had only 6462 miles on it at the time :-/. It seems low mileage for the tensioner to be out this much already, but I do ride in the city. Lots of accelerating from stop, and I might rev on the high side. Anyway, here are some pictures. It was a good experience taking apart the clutch cover.

This is a shot of my bike. You can see my skates tucked into the side bags :D
http://https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NiQxt6EuNf0/ThzKxzEtD3I/AAAAAAAAAMY/L7jxMizWXic/s640/IMG_0074.JPG

Closer up of the crankcase (?)
http://https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WAr1oyTSba4/ThzKy0yctjI/AAAAAAAAAMc/1YLogsOv0qQ/s640/IMG_0075.JPG

Cam chain tensioner...At least the piston hasn't come far enough that it's crooked. I just noticed the brown spots in the picture look like rust. I don't recall seeing any rust though, so the brown might just motor oil.
http://https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-idXP5qc1ByQ/ThzKzDmNt6I/AAAAAAAAAMg/T0CuAR4gFNM/s640/IMG_0076.JPG

Measured: 17.70mm
http://https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GeIjAzJbWhM/ThzKzEuPMzI/AAAAAAAAAMk/JEDXDDFDOzo/s640/IMG_0077.JPG

The clutch cover gasket was fully intact, so I didn't have to replace it when I reattached the cover. However, I sheared off one of the bolts when I was tightening them. Freaked me out for a bit, thought I'd have a huge pain getting it out. I was tightening and heard a crack. Luckily, the entire bolt came out when I reversed and backed it out. I think I overtorqued the thing, maybe because the bolt was lubricated by motor oil. Should have wiped it down before tightening.

Questions: Do I need to apply anti-seize to the header bolts at the exhaust header? Also, do people use a small torque wrench (<10ft-lb)?

Thanks to everyone on this forum that has contributed to the technical knowledge base. It's been a great help to someone who's new at wrenching and riding.

Title: Re: Checked Cam Chain Tensioner
Post by verslagen1 on 07/13/11 at 17:32:23

yes anti seize to the header bolts
about 20 ft lbs too
i can send you a spare for a $1 to cover postage.

and yeah, that's pretty low miles... a lotta short trips?

Title: Re: Checked Cam Chain Tensioner
Post by Howitzer on 07/13/11 at 18:25:40

Yeah, 2x 2.5mile trips everyday through city traffic. Occasional joy rides of only 10-20miles.

Thanks for the offer of anti-seize. Can you PM me your email?

Title: Re: Checked Cam Chain Tensioner
Post by ralfyguy on 07/13/11 at 19:07:16

Look at the two ring marks on the plunger next to the housing on the 2nd picture from the bottom. Looks like it ratcheted out only two times. That would mean it once started out at around 12mm out. It might me just my imagination.
Nevertheless, I still wonder what the the plunger extension is factory new. There is no way, that is starts out being all the way in, when it leaves the factory.

Title: Re: Checked Cam Chain Tensioner
Post by Serowbot on 07/13/11 at 19:09:56

+1... ralfyguy...

Title: Re: Checked Cam Chain Tensioner
Post by Howitzer on 07/13/11 at 19:12:19

7C6F626877697B770E0 wrote:

Does that mean I still have time before needing a verslavy?

Title: Re: Checked Cam Chain Tensioner
Post by verslagen1 on 07/13/11 at 19:32:29

7E59415F424C5344360 wrote:

Yeah, 2x 2.5mile trips everyday through city traffic. Occasional joy rides of only 10-20miles.

Thanks for the offer of anti-seize. Can you PM me your email?

pm'd you

short trips will do it. I got a strong suspicion that it's heating cooling cycles, not miles.

Title: Re: Checked Cam Chain Tensioner
Post by verslagen1 on 07/13/11 at 19:37:33

11020F051A04161A630 wrote:

I bet ya those are like growth rings... winters with too much water in the oil. :o

Title: Re: Checked Cam Chain Tensioner
Post by Howitzer on 07/13/11 at 21:49:04

Quote:

I bet ya those are like growth rings... winters with too much water in the oil. :o

Ya know, the previous owner left this bike outside (bike cover) over two winters. This is in Boston. Maybe you're on to something here. I'll check and see how easy it is to wipe those rings off when I open up the case again.