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Message started by DavidOfMA on 06/30/16 at 20:06:29

Title: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by DavidOfMA on 06/30/16 at 20:06:29

A few weeks ago, I replaced the cam chain adjuster with the verslagen version. It didn't occur to me until after everything was all put together and I'd ridden it a while that I probably should have put Loctite on the small shoulder bolt that attaches the adjuster to the tensioner.

Do I need to be worried that the bolt will vibrate loose? I didn't put much torque on it because the actual thickness of the threaded part is pretty thin and I didn't want to break it. Don't really want to have to crack the case open again and install another gasket it I don't have to.

Thanks,
David

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by batman on 06/30/16 at 20:55:34

I don't know Dave ,but the price of a gasket is worth the piece of mind,I'd go in ,you've been there before so it should go faster/easier the next time.

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by DavidOfMA on 06/30/16 at 21:21:17

Before I do, I'd like to know if others who have replaced the adjuster didn't use Loctite, but have had no problems with the bolt coming loose. I don't recall any mention of it in the instructions or in Clymer, it just seemed like a good idea to me after the fact.

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by verslagen1 on 06/30/16 at 21:52:20

I don't use locktite here, but I probably torque it to the max.

Some of the bolts will slip when you get to max torque (15 to 20 ft lbs, that maybe an overestimate, 1/4" ratchet wrench till it feels right)

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by KennyG on 06/30/16 at 21:54:04

David,

It would be a good idea to contact Verslagen and seek his opinion.

I wouldn't tear it apart the second time if I didn't have to.

Kenny G

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/30/16 at 22:09:11

Not kicking anyone in the pants, but that's the kinda stuff that everyone who reads this needs to consider. It's not a bad idea to stop before the last Button Up step and think about it.
Dave, IIRC you were a bit hesitant to walk off in there.
Aside from the concern about that nut, how do you feel about it?

FWIW, Before I learned to slow down and think about stuff,I had to go back in things. You have enough mechanical smarts to sit down and replay the video in your head,you're gonna make a good enough mechanic to take care of your bike.
Okay, so in order to be at peace you're going to go back in, that's Loads better than putting up tools and washing hands and not even thinking about what you did in there. Congratulations,man.

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by gizzo on 07/01/16 at 01:05:44

71777A7A7E777C7B717067150 wrote:

Before I do, I'd like to know if others who have replaced the adjuster didn't use Loctite, but have had no problems...

I didn't use any loctite and haven't had any dramas since I did the job 3 years ago. Not an issue. IMO, YMMV etc.

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by Garry on 07/01/16 at 02:58:38

It's gunna worry you until you go back in there and apply a drop of locktite! I'm exactly the same. Just do it and put your mind at rest! Better than spending the next 20,000 miles listening and waiting and thinking the worst instead of just enjoying the ride.

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/01/16 at 03:21:59

Is it a self locking nut?

If you do go back in, remove it, clean up all the threads,

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by DavidOfMA on 07/01/16 at 05:22:50

Thanks, everyone. Any others besides gizzo (and, it sounds like, verslagen) who did the job, didn't use loctite, and have had no problems? (Or who didn't, and had the bolt come loose?)

Did most of you use loctite on that shoulder bolt?

David

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by DavidOfMA on 07/01/16 at 05:28:12

Except for the worry about that bolt, I feel fine about the job. It was, however, a royal pain, because I had numerous frozen nuts and bolts to deal with, broke one on the muffler that was welded solid with rust, and was doing a lot of things for the first time. But I'm getting there....

322D2B2C31360737073F2D216A580 wrote:

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by ls650v on 07/01/16 at 08:47:04

The factory service manual does not say anything about using Loctite on this bolt. I did use a torque wrench but no Loctite. About 10,000 miles ago.

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by DavidOfMA on 07/01/16 at 09:01:58

5C4306050046300 wrote:

The factory service manual does not say anything about using Loctite on this bolt. I did use a torque wrench but no Loctite. About 10,000 miles ago.

What torque? It's a pretty small bolt at the thread end. Thanks!

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by Yoshi on 07/01/16 at 11:33:29

Locktight doesn't do anything when heat is added, that bolt swims in hot oil.
I always use a torque wrench when possible. ..

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by DavidOfMA on 07/01/16 at 13:04:22

786978414D43495A5B4341280 wrote:

Locktight doesn't do anything when heat is added, that bolt swims in hot oil.
I always use a torque wrench when possible. ..

Most of the thread lockers are good up to 300F. How hot can the oil in our bikes get before the engine fries? From what I'm reading on various motorcycle forums, it's rare for the oil in even an air-cooled bike engine to get up to 300F.

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by Kris01 on 07/01/16 at 16:09:31

I've seen 200°F in a diesel F350 truck. I imagine our bike runs close to this.

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/02/16 at 03:53:18

I'm not a
Get in a hurry
Mechanic. I'm likely to use a drop of blue locktite or even red, if it's really scary, but I don't Remember using any on anything inside there.

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by Tocsik on 07/02/16 at 05:50:16

I didn't use thread locker inside the motor when I did the CCT. I followed versey's instructions which didn't call for it (fairly certain anyway)

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by DavidOfMA on 07/02/16 at 09:08:20

68535F4F55573C0 wrote:

I didn't use thread locker inside the motor when I did the CCT. I followed versey's instructions which didn't call for it (fairly certain anyway)

Thanks. No, verslagen's instructions don't mention loctite; just seemed like a good idea, since the threads on that bolt are tiny and I didn't want to risk snapping it by overtightening. Unless I hear from someone who didn't use loctite and the bolt came loose, I'm inclined to leave it be, rather than go in again.

Thanks, all, for your suggestions.

David

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/02/16 at 09:27:14

I remember how worried I was after doing valves.. Those nuts Do get shook hard.

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by DavidOfMA on 09/12/16 at 09:29:21

1,000 miles later, it hasn't shaken loose, so I'm pretty sure it won't. But, if I ever open that part of the bike up again, I will use a drop of high-temp loctite, just to be absolutely sure.

Thanks for all your thoughts on this and other issues.

323E373E31070 wrote:

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/12/16 at 11:04:19

Nobody has ever had one come loose.
I would be very careful about what kinda LokTite I used.
Some of that stuff requires heat to get it to let go. If it's not easy to get in there and tighten up, it's not easy to bust loose, either.

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by zipidachimp on 09/13/16 at 23:01:09

Rats! just started reading this thread, did mine last December, now I'm in panic mode thinking about that bolt coming loose! Thanks a lot! >:(
Any way, insurance is cancelled Sept 27, will check it then. And my other bike in November!

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by DavidOfMA on 09/14/16 at 10:14:20

The point of my post was not that I am continuing to worry, but that after 1,000 miles and the bolt not coming loose, I'm figuring it will stay put. Of course, I could be wrong.... :-/

Title: Re: Question on cam chain adjuster replacement
Post by SavageMan99 on 09/14/16 at 15:45:51

I'd only use blue or green loc tite.