Adjusting the Cam Chain Tension

[tbcfreerider]

Adjusting the Cam Chain Tension

An out-of-adjustment cam chain can cause the bike to run poorly and vibrate. To adjust the tension, locate the tensioner on the front of the engine between cylinders 2 and 3 - it's that little do-hickey protruding from the cylinders with a bolt sticking out the left side. Remove the engine case cover over the timing plates and use a wrench to manually rotate (clockwise) the engine until the timing pointer aligns with the "C" on the timing plate. Then loosen the locknut on the cam chain tensioner, loosen the bolt, then retighten the bolt and then the locknut (specified torque is only about 5 ft/lbs so don't overtighten), and replace the case cover. That's it.

so i need help locating the item in RED

[bikerphil]

The left (while sitting on bike), round, forwardmost cover is the timing cover. You'll see the marks on the timing plate once it's removed.

[WMarshy]

The engine case cover you are refering to is the cover down where your left ankle would be if you had highway footpegs... Why would you loosen the bolt after unlocking the lock nut if your just going to retighten it again? Sound to me like a good way to jump timing on the bottom sprocket... Wouldnt it make more sense to just losen the lock nut and apply torque to the adjuster bolt untill the desired torque is reached? Whats the purpose of loosening it first, to make sure its not over torqued?

Ive personally never adjusted my timing chain but from what Ive read its easy to jump timing. I just trying to help from making a mistake and to learn why we do certain things.

[xs11lover]

When you loosen the nut it lets the spring move the plunger inside the adjuster. You have to be careful not to overtighten. It will mushroom out the post over time.

[randy]

Ok, but what kind of oil do you use?

[motoman]

Cam chain

Marshy, you better read the how-to on this!........better yet, just ship your XS to me BEFORE you bend ALL the valves. Seriously though, can tell by your response that your headed for a wreck workin on anything on your bike without the understanding first why what particular part works the way it does. You MAY want a fellow XS'er that may be close give you a hand along with explanations and whys.
If that's not possible, at least download and READ the manual that CatotonicBug has on here for those that may be new to these scoots and us oldies that have sometimers.

[ross]

photos worth a thousand words...

hey there folks....is this what u r lookin' for.....

....ride hard, ride safe...ross

[fredintoon]

Adjusting the Cam Chain Tension - - -

Hi Johnnie,
Ross's photo shows it all. You gotta turn the motor until the "C" mark is aligned or the re-tensioning don't work right.
You turn the engine clockwise using that square nut on the end of the crankshaft.
FYI, unlike most bikes the XS/XJ 11 engine runs backwards.
Once the C mark is aligned you slack off the tensioner bolt which lets the tensioner spring push the tensioner up against the timing chain.
You should hear a satisfying click noise as it moves.
Tighten everything up, replace the cover casting and the job's complete.

[79XS11F]

Ok, but what kind of oil do you use?

LOL LOL
Rob

[T99Ford]

^^Ha Ha! But in all fairness, this forum is dedicated to pretty much two motorcycles, the XS and XJ, so it stands to reason the same questions will be coming up from time to time.

TBC: Just follow the directions for doing this routine maintenance procedure to the letter and you will be fine. You may not hear the audible "click" if the chain is not that far out of adjustment , since the plunger won't really move when it is released if the chain is already tight. Other than that there is not really a lot to it. Ross's pic shows the hardest part