How to remove and install your Cam Chain Tensioner CCT

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

+1

+1, my thought was is it a bad thing to use an auto cct on a bike that was never ment to have one as, "if" they do move in more, do you run the risk of over streaching the stock chain to the point of failure before you know it needs replaced

I can only speak from years of Automotive experience but I would think the same apply's to bikes... Even auto adjusters are limited to stretch limitations. In an overhead cam auto motor the self adjuster has a stopping point for 2 reasons.

1 if the chain is pushed 2 far inside it can contact the interior of the cylinder head.

2 too much angle on the chain can put stress on the cam and cam bearings causing premature failure.

[ddragon63]

I know 1 think about making old things better... about 10 years ago a circle track racer decided to invent a chain tensioning device for the timing chain of a small black chevy. In theory this sounds great! you get the tight timing tolerances of a gear drive without the harmonics and gear drag.

it went off like a wild fire... everyone wanted one. then everyone started having problems with the thrust in the cranks and premature bearing wear... WHY? the extra stress and angle on the chain caused it to stretch way faster than it was designed for @ the rpm it was running. sometimes good intentions don't last as long as designed. when you reinvent the wheel it will still come out round.

I love the idea of an auto adjuster... I may get one. if I do I'll put a new chain in the mess to make sure I'm not putting a bandaid on a bullet wound. just my .02 take it with a grain of salt... I'm still pissy my Bengals lost today

[Nubian]

I'm going to be real sick to my stomach!
I did not know about all this when I swapped to an ACCT. I just pulled out the original and stuck the ACCT in. I think I have put a couple of hundred miles on it since, i'll check maybe I logged the mileage when I did it. Did I luck out or should I pull things apart and check for damage before any further riding.

[bikerphil]

Yep, I've lucked out a few times too before I knew the procedure. One time I wasn't so lucky, had to learn how to replace bent valves.

If the bike runs normal you should be ok.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Miles

Thanks TC, about how many miles are the chains good for under normal operation Got 18k on mine and adjusted tight last adjustment

Hey Lon and Dragon,

If folks have been doing CCT adjustments for years/ 10K+ miles, then they may not know/realize how much slack has developed in their chain. The way to figure out if the chain is at or close to it's stretch limit is when they take the CCT out with the plunger lock bolt still in place, so that they can see how far the plunger already is protruding out towards the chain...perhaps even measure this. Then release the lock bolt and see how much farther the plunger can come out towards the chain before it stops. If it doesn't come out very much farther, then their chain is reaching it's stretch limit, and replacement time is near.

So...now after learning about how much stretch has occured, they can put the CCT back in. Yes, I would suggest the valve cover off, bungie cord pulling up on the chain BEFORE they remove the CCT, and have wrench ready to rotate the exhaust cam slightly towards the intake cam as they loosen the CCT bolts so that they can take up any unknown amount of slack prior to fully removing the CCT so that there won't be an excess amount of slack chain that could drop down around the crank sprocket skipping a tooth or coming off the sprocket.

The other problem is when putting the CCT back in....IF there's a fair amount of slack in the chain...after installing the CCT to the engine...again to prevent too much slack chain from dropping they would need to release the plunger lock bolt PRIOR to rotating the exhaust cam back to allow the slack to return to the front section of the chain instead of in between the cam sprockets. SO...they won't be able to experienc the "AUDIBLE CLICK" noise, will just need to rely on the plunger spring to provide the tension to take up the slack.

Then lock the plunger bolt, this is where I would then suggest a couple of more rotations of the crank/cams just like when preparing to peform the CCT adjustment again stopping on "C", then reloosen the plunger bolt to allow it to take up any more found slack from the rotation, then relock and set the lock nut as well.

Wish I was retired so that I could contribute a lot more time towards putting together a bunch of tech tips that have been developed in the threads over the last several years! Was waiting for the "cold" weather to hit here in Virginia...but was out today in short sleaves pulling down Christmas decorations and such!

T.C.

[crazy steve]

I'm going to be real sick to my stomach!
I did not know about all this when I swapped to an ACCT. I just pulled out the original and stuck the ACCT in. I think I have put a couple of hundred miles on it since, i'll check maybe I logged the mileage when I did it. Did I luck out or should I pull things apart and check for damage before any further riding.

If you haven't had any problem up til now, you won't...

There's a big difference in how the OEM and 'auto' CCTs work. With the stock one it is critical to have the crank/cams turned to the 'C' mark as that position puts all slack in the chain on the CCT side of the chain. As the stock one doesn't move after you've adjusted it (the spring takes out the available slack, then you 'lock' it with the bolt), you have to make sure you get it all. The auto units apply pressure at all times (with the ratchet preventing loosening), so as soon as the motor has turned one revolution it will have tightened properly. You still want to make sure that most of the slack is on the CCT side when installing the ACCT (by simply turning the crank until the cams move), but actual position isn't as important...

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Lucked out

You lucked out, take a breath and have a strong drink. Even though you didn't have the came chain in the right position, with the auto CCT as soon as you cranked it over, it took up the slack automaticly If you had skipped a tooth, you realy would be sick and not just thinking about being sick as you would be looking for a doner motor, an Angel was on your shoulder my friend

I'm going to be real sick to my stomach!
I did not know about all this when I swapped to an ACCT. I just pulled out the original and stuck the ACCT in. I think I have put a couple of hundred miles on it since, i'll check maybe I logged the mileage when I did it. Did I luck out or should I pull things apart and check for damage before any further riding.

[JasonRedbeard]

OEM my bike has 41k on the clock and the PO said it had never had any internal parts replaced. I installed my auto-CCT today and had the valve cover off to check valves. My timing marks still line up perfectly, so I can only assume that the chain has stretched little if at all.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Thanks

thanks, my bike has 18k and has been adult ridden sense new (adult means "DOG" or durty old geasser) Mine is tight and works, just dont want to waite till the next Gremlin raises it ugly head

OEM my bike has 41k on the clock and the PO said it had never had any internal parts replaced. I installed my auto-CCT today and had the valve cover off to check valves. My timing marks still line up perfectly, so I can only assume that the chain has stretched little if at all.

[DGXSER]

Steppenwolf just replaced his cam chain for the first time a couple years ago. Had 80,000 miles or so on it.

[ddragon63]

Got 46k on "Old Man" chain has very little stretch.... It's all about maintenance.

[DAVINCI]

It's the new oil thread!

[Nubian]

Got 46k on "Old Man" chain has very little stretch.... It's all about maintenance.

How do you maintain a cam chain? What can you do that can specifically help maintain a cam chain, regular oil change maybe?

[ddragon63]

How do you maintain a cam chain? What can you do that can specifically help maintain a cam chain, regular oil change maybe?

Good oil, changed regularly... Chain tensioner adjusted correctly... Valves adjusted correctly. Heat and slop is the enemy of chains.

[JasonRedbeard]

It's the new oil thread!

Good oil, changed regularly...

Define "good oil." What's best for these bikes?

<hides behind couch to avoid thrown objects>