Broken Cam Shaft Tensioner

[e_sloan]

I have my carbs ripped (see my other post) out for a rebuild and while at it I decided to adjust the cam. I break out the torque wrench and start to tighten the bolt after loosening them, to my horror they just keep spinning. The damn housing is stripped.

I can pick up a spare at my local scrap yard, just wondering how hard it is to replace the housing, it looks like just 2 allen head bolts. I am in big trouble if I have to do much more then that.

Any advice?

1982 XJ550

[sidecarKev]

I took a look at the microfische on the Yamaha site. It looks pretty similar to the XS11. Yep, you should be able to remove and replace without any problem. The whole assenbly should come out in one piece.

Go to this Yamaha Website to check it out if you don't already have a parts layout for your bike.

[justyn.smith]

WARNING!!!!

DO NOT under any circumstances rotate the engine or you'll risk bending the valves.

sorry for the over reaction but if you search my early posts you'll see that for the sake of a stripped thread I had to spend thousands on a rebuild.

If this is common sense to you, again I apoligize, but it's better to be told twice than not at all, especially when there's so much at stake!

Good luck.

[xssiveone]

You should also make sure that the crank is turned to the position for setting the chain tension before you remove it.

[rockjok]

A few months ago I stripped the threads out of the cam tensioner housing on my 79 SF. I ended up ordering a new housing, spring, and plastic cap from bike bandits rather than looking in junk yards. It was a lot easier and cheaper to replace than I thought it would be.

If you end up ordering one I'd definitely recommend getting a gasket also. When replacing, you should align the "C" timing mark just as when you adjust the cam chain.

Rob