cam chain

[greyranch]

I am sure everyone is sick of cam chain threads.However, I had a lower end noise that really bothered me.I did the cam tensioner thing and it did not get any quieter.After reading many threads I thought it still had to be the cam chain making the noise.This morning I pulled the tensioner out to see if it was at the limit.It popped out another approximately 1/4 inch.So I tightened it up and reinstalled on the bike.The engine has never been so quiet!! I have to wonder if the spring on the tensioner spring gets weak with heat and age.I realize with 38,000 miles on the bike that I am soon due for a new chain.Is there any danger of over adjustment and ruining the guides? Is there a stronger spring available that would be better suited for adjustment?Thanks in advance for any input.Brad

[planedick]

Noise

Most of the top end noise isn't the cam chain at all, but it's the cams pushing the valves. The big gap between the cams and the pads is where the noise comes from. It's just the design problems with the cam shape that's so loud. I would think that extra pressure on the tensioner guides would wear them out prematurely.

[randy]

Planedick is right, overtightening the chain will wear everything out prematurely.

Doing what you did overtightens the chain.

The spring does not provide tension on the chain, only the guides do. The spring only pushes the plunger out, at which point the lockbolt holds the plunger in place.

Re-adjust the tensioner per the manual before you do damage.

[greyranch]

cam chain

Thanks planedick for the reply.My noise actually seemed all bottom end.I guess my question is weather the chain tension spring actually puts enough tension on the guide,given that it is 30 years old.I saw another member started a thread with a homebrew tensioner with no spring.Nice design but wondered how much adjustment is too much.I think this winter I will replace the chain anyways and start over again with the stock tensioner.

[DiverRay]

38,000 isn't much on the cam chain. I've got 95K on mine, and it's still good. I would clean up the tensioner, maybe replace the spring, and go with it. The engine was built to run 100K without any real "work". The cam chain is sized for the stress, so it should go close to 100K as well. I agree the spring is probably gone after almost 30 years, so that is all I would replace.

[trbig]

Hmmmm... I have always taken my adjuster out, pushed it in and locked it, then re-installed and release it to get it to slap the guide.

Even though this may initially hit it harder, the spring is only going to hold what it can hold. How is it possible to OVER tighten the adjuster this way? I see it as only making sure all the slack is out and that the adjuster isn't sitting there bound up when you thought it was adjusting?? I could see it if you somehow timed it and got it tightened at the exact moment it slapped the guide without any chance of rebound.. however slight that may be, but how can you make a spring hold more pressure than it's going to?


Tod

[planedick]

Other areas of noise...

You stated that you thought your noise was lower end, maybe so, the primary chain and transmissions have lots of areas that are noisey. These machines are notably noisey and it bothered me at first, but after going through the extreme conditions I have subjected two of these XS's to, I have lost all interest in listening to the noise. I drove the Pathfinder through the desert in 120 plus degrees for hours above 100 mph. I don't think there is a machine made that will endure my riding habits. I have run a few Hondas into the ground too. LOL

[skids]

Nothing wrong with that method, Tod.

Originally posted by trbig
Hmmmm... I have always taken my adjuster out, pushed it in and locked it, then re-installed and release it to get it to slap the guide. (snip) Even though this may initially hit it harder, the spring is only going to hold what it can hold. How is it possible to OVER tighten the adjuster this way? Tod

[AlanB]

Hi Guys,

Main point in getting the tension right is to get the engine sitting in the right place before touching the tensioner; just read the manual!

I have also found that not everyone has figured out that the engine runs "Backwards", and can have all sorts of issues if turned the wrong way before attempting to tension the chain..........

AlanB

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Tod,

What GreyRanch stated was that he pulled the tensioner OFF the bike/engine, then loosened the lockbolt/nut and the plunger pushed out another 1/4" from where it had been set the proper way. He left it sticking out that 1/4" extra, and locked the plunger in place, and THEN mounted the tensionser back onto the engine, and this provided extra tension against the guides and chain.

Ranch, sometimes the plunger shaft gets small burrs on it, and can be prevented from sliding out against the chain guides like it should. But like DiverRay said, putting a newer stronger spring should help, also like Tod, removing, locking compressed, and then releasing it also provides good results.
T.C.

[greyranch]

tensioner

Thanks everybody.I did'nt consider taking the tensioner out,pushing it in all the way and reinstalling it,then readjust .That should work fine and will do it tomorrow.It is possible that when I did it the first time several weeks ago,that the tensioner was in a bind or has a week spring,I did'nt hear it pop or move.I mainly today wanted to verify that the chain was noisy,which it was.Brad

[STEPPENWOLF]

Is the cam chain a big issue if the engine is never ran hard,always under 6000.I don't feel the need to get on it hard cause it just hsits and gets with out cranking it up.I am about to turn 74000 and always adjust the cam chain at my 2500 usual oil change.....no unsual noise,valves set about 25,000 miles ago,I feel with normal oil changes I should hit 100,000 without touching the engine..use about a quart of oil or two between oil changes.I guess I am a firm beliver in not over servicing an engine,..if it sounds and runs good leave it alone.
If a cam chain is going out is it a very obivious sound?

Bill

[trbig]

You'll just start to hear a lot of top end noise. If you have a fairing, it funnels it up to your ears much better. If you usually ride with a helmet and have a fairing.... riding without the helmet muffling the sound will probably scare the %$#& out of you! lol.


I have NEVER heard the adjuster pop in against the guide from just a regular adjust.


Tod

[STEPPENWOLF]

TRBIG, Yuppers I have a full fairing with lowers just put on(cold weather),scares me when I have my old 3/4 helmet on but with my newr 3/4 and full face I don't hear a thing:-) I know they are noisey so I will ignore till I hit the 100,000 mile mark then see what happens. I would like to just see how far the thing can go being almost all original.

[planedick]

Probably will

It will probably be something to leave to your grandchildren... long before you can wear it out, unless you do no maintenance at all...