Automatic cam chain tensioner

[James England]

In a previous thread, I've seen that the OEM cam chain tensioner can be replaced by an automatic version from other bikes. Does anyone have any 100% tried and tested information regarding which specific bike(s) such a tensioner can be taken from and used safely on an XS1100?

Also, what is the principle of the automatic adjuster? Is it merely a spring-loaded plunger permanently pushing? If so, won't this lead to cam chain guide wear?

[natemoen]

The absolute straight bolt on is the venture tensioner. If you don't mind doing a little filing and are a little cheap I use a vision 550 tensioner and got it for less than 8 bucks shipped, and I had to file off about .5mm from each bolt hole.

No it shouldn't cause premature ware. The big plus is that it will automatically tighten as your chain ware instead of you having to tighten it yourself.

[bikerphil]

Vmax is the same as the Venture CCT, IIRC.

[James England]

Thanks. Is that any size engined Venture, then?

[79XS11F]

I have done the change and must say ... although quieter the noise I do hear is more rhythmic then in the past. I think it may be a sign of an unevenly worn / stretched cam chain. I think this is a very good mod but I will change out my cam chain this winter.
Rob

[DGXSER]

I know that both the XVZ1300 and the XVZ1200 tensioners will work, straight up bolt on.

[RS Thornton]

over 25 years and counting

any tensioner from any venture or Vmax will fit according to my cross references, from 1983 to present.
The tensioner is a spring loaded and self adjusts along a spline, one tooth at a time. Mine has properly adjusted itself for over almost 20,000 miles on my 78 standard.

I rode a venture for many miles and participated on a venture forum and have never heard of cam chain or tensioner problems on those bikes. Over the winter I will check valve clearance and think I will pull the tensioner guides and take some pics. I am sold on the upgrade, but if you have doubts setting tension is only a 10 minute job that only needs 3 different tools.

Scott

[lancelot455]

any tensioner from any venture or Vmax will fit according to my cross references, from 1983 to present.
The tensioner is a spring loaded and self adjusts along a spline, one tooth at a time. Mine has properly adjusted itself for over almost 20,000 miles on my 78 standard.

I rode a venture for many miles and participated on a venture forum and have never heard of cam chain or tensioner problems on those bikes. Over the winter I will check valve clearance and think I will pull the tensioner guides and take some pics. I am sold on the upgrade, but if you have doubts setting tension is only a 10 minute job that only needs 3 different tools.

Scott

Will those tensioners fit on an 82XJ1100?

[TomRodgers]

The vision 550 tensioners......i see them on ebay from time to time...cheap. is there a difference from the 'rear' and 'front' ???

Are they 'plug and play' ??? or is there a trick to mounting them?

Steps??

[yamahansolo]

I bought a set of vmax ones of a 96. I kept one and sold the other for 15 plus shipping. Easy to install!!! Had it on for about 1 year now no problems!!!

[RS Thornton]

78E part number is for the tensioner case is: 2H9-12212-00-00

82 XJ1100 part number for the tensioner case is: 2H9-12212-00-00

So the venture part that fits on the XS should bolt on to the XJ just as easily.
Scott

[yamahansolo]

I have 2 79's and an 82xj and the tensioner is identical!! This is plug and play!!

I havw the vmax book and you have to take the big bolt off the tensioner. The bolt the housing to the bike then push the bolt in an tighten. With the ignition pointed at c of course...

[James England]

I bought a set of vmax ones of a 96. I kept one and sold the other for 15 plus shipping. Easy to install!!! Had it on for about 1 year now no problems!!!

Looking at the XS1100 CCT, there is a little rubber foot on the end of the plunger rod. This is absent on the V Max ones, I think. Does that matter?

[DiverRay]

No, the rubber just pushes against the metal behind the pad that runs on the chain. I just put one of the 550 Vision units on my '79, and it's MUCH better than the stock one, IMHO. All I needed to do was run about .5mm on one mount hole. Fits well, and no leaks.

[dbeardslee]

I have done the change and must say ... although quieter the noise I do hear is more rhythmic then in the past. I think it may be a sign of an unevenly worn / stretched cam chain. I think this is a very good mod but I will change out my cam chain this winter.
Rob

I've had three different automatic tensioners, and I like the venturer tensioner the best. Stock gasket, no leaks, and the plunger lines up perfectly with the cam chain guide. It doesn't seem to tension as tight as the others I've installed so there's marginally more chain noise. At first I thought as Rob does that my chain was about at the end of it's life. I took the spring out of the tensioner, and then dismounted it so I could see how far out the plunger was when installed, and found that there's plenty of adjustment left. It just seems to be little looser, and I'm thinkin' that's probably a good thing. A tighter cam chain tensioner would probably cause the chain to stretch faster, and the venturer seems to be plenty tight enough to keep everything where it's supposed to be.

Rob - if you do change your cam chain, you might take a look at the EK Enuma chains (Z1 Enterprises). It's a reasonably priced chain ($32.74), and it's the stoutest cam chain I've seen yet. It comes as a continuous chain, so you usually have buy a rivet link and break it. The links are slightly larger diameter than on the stock chain, and they fit very tightly - in fact I had to press the master link together. It looks like it will hold up better than the Partsnmore variety, or even a stock chain. Just passing it along.