cam chain tensioner

[Scooter]

HI, I have a buddy who has a 1978 XS 1100 with the Vetterbags and fairing. His cam chain tensioner has reached it's limit and will not work. He has a spar 1100 are the cam chain tensioners interchangable and is this a big job to remove one for the other.

Although at this tiem I am not riding a Yamaha, the majority of my bikes have been.
EVerything from a 750 Special, to a 920 Virago and the a 650 V Star.
Any help would be a blessing.
Scooter
JN 3:16 <((><

[prometheus578]

No, it's quite easy to remove and reinstall a tensioner(two bolts), but that's not really the issue.
The issue is the cam chain.

His cam chain tensioner has reached it's limit and will not work

If I understand you correctly, you are saying that the cam chain tensioner is fully deployed and there's still slack in the chain.
Cam chains, like drive chains to rear wheels, stretch with use.
If his tensioner is at it's maximum deployment, that means the chain must be replaced.

[Scooter]

That's what I thought as well, but it never hurts to check.
Thanks much
Scott

[trbig]

*Applause.....

Very nice work Pro!! You were so civil and polite! You're gonna have that poor new guy thinking you're a nice guy!! Man, is he in for a rude awakening... lol.


Tod

[prometheus578]

&quot;Timing is everything...&quot;

TRBIG, after all this time you haven't figger'ed out the system yet.
Early morning posts, when the birds are singin', sun is shinin' on all the pretty flowers... everything is right in my world.

As the day unfolds and the bodies start to pile up... Well, you get the picture (and it isn't pretty).
That's why most of my replies to Hobbyman are done late at night.

[trbig]

Early morning posts, when the birds are singin', sun is shinin' on all the pretty flowers... everything is right in my world.

The glassy eyes from the doll heads shining brightly and staring blankly at you....


Ugh.... Early morning people suck!


Tod

[strom]

OK, here are a few things about XS11 and their camchain tensioners Im sure you alredy know:

- They are located on the front middle of the engine
- XS11s engine rotates backward
- There are 3 bolts on the camchain tensioner. Two hold it in place and one holds the tensioner in a set position, so the spring does not push against the camchain all the time.
- There is a nice procedure written in the tech tips on how to adjust camchain
- when replacing a tensioner, put the engine on the C mark on the timing plate. Remove the two bolts holding it, remove the tensioner. Get the new one and release it using the bolt on the side. Dont loose the rod that tensions the camchain. Push it all the way in the tensioner housing and lock it with the bolt on the side. Be careful, it is easy to strip the threads on that thing. Replace the gasket, bolt on the new tensioner and readjust the camchain. (untighten the side bolt so you hear the tensioner snap into place. Use a hammer to tap on the housing if it wont), turn the engine BY HAND a full rotation so you get back on the C mark on the timing plate under the left engine side cover. You have to rotate the engine clockwise, since this engine is running the opposite way as most of other engines. Retighten the side bolt and the locking nut thingie. Have fun. If the camchain is still loud, replace the camchain.

LP