Auto CCT question...

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Howard,

I think Ras was being a little sarcastic toward your followup comments.

The stock CCT had a specific travel limit, and when that limit has been reached, the FSM states that it's time to change the cam chain because of the extent of the stretch that has occured to the chain. We have noted that the newer ACCT's have a longer travel and can maintain tension on a chain to a larger extent allowing the chain to stretch even farther than original design spec wear limits. This extra stretch can possibly make the chain more susceptible to total failure/breakage. ALSO being stretched also puts the cams more out of time with the pistons and such, so performance can also be diminished....even though the chain itself is actually QUIET!

SO...this is why I think Ras was "razzing" you a bit because you seemed to not be heeding the advice about replacing the chain that was given due to the evidence of the oem CCT possibly being at the end of it's limit, and therefore the chain as well!? YMMV! Enjoy the quiet....just hope it doesn't end in a big bang later.

T.C.

[3Phase]

With apologies to DirecTV

Hey, Howard, how's it going? You sound kind of depressed!


When you get depressed you hear noises from your cam chain.

When you hear noises from your cam chain you buy an automatic cam chain tensioner.

When you install the automatic cam chain tensioner you gain confidence and ride your XS to Las Vegas.

When you ride your XS to Las Vegas your old cam chain snaps and you lose all your valves.

When you lose all your valves you sell your XS to a chop shop.

Don't sell your XS to a chop shop!

.

[Bonz]

Scott, good to see you back in the fray... Been so long I forgot I missed whatever it is that you bring to these discussions! LOL! . Great to have you around my friend.

TopCat, I was more than mildly sarcastic with my remarks to Ras... But...

I'm the kind of guy that knows when he is barking ip the wrong tree, and also when my cam chain sounds like its barking up a tree.... The new auto CCT has not been the cure all. Seemed like it quieted up initially, but upon a few hundred miles of riding, it is really no different.

Yeah, get all smug on me boys, I have it coming... I also have a cam chain coming as well for the sake of pro-activity and preparedness.

Pulling the valve cover this weekend to check the valves and will give the cam chain a good look. What kind of slack should I have/not have when lifting up on the chain? Or would checking the cam alignment marks tell me a similar tale? Just curious what to look for so I can tell you all how out of whack it was.

Cheers!

[WMarshy]

I cant speak for the amount of slack you shoul have between cam sprockets with a properly tensioned cam, but it your chain is stretched you will notice when you turn the crank to the C mark the dots dont line up. They will be "close" but but not on the mark. The more wear and stretch you have the more misalignment you will encounter and the cams will be more out of phase with eachother...

[DGXSER]

I do not have access to my manuals at the moment. I wonder if there is a spec on the length of the chain from one link to the next like there is on a main drive chain for chain drive bike.

[jetmechmarty]

If you can lift any of the chain from the cam sprocket, it's worn out.

[Bonz]

Given what jetmechmarty said, what is the best way to connect the master link in the new chain with the tightness it will have?

[WMarshy]

If you can lift any of the chain from the cam sprocket, it's worn out.

It might have a little flex but shouldnt have enough slack where you can lift it off any portion of the sprockets. If you can, then I agree the chain is whooped and your tensioner cant extend far enough to properly tension the chain any more.

Given what jetmechmarty said, what is the best way to connect the master link in the new chain with the tightness it will have?

You need to remove the tensioner to install the chain. The masterlink is installed prior to retensioning the chain.

[jetmechmarty]

Bonz,

With the tensioner removed you will be able to fit the master link with your hands. It's a bit of a challenge as the new chain will be very tight, but you can put it together between the cam sprockets using your fingers and a bit of patience.

[skids]

Hey, Howard, how's it going? You sound kind of depressed!


When you get depressed you hear noises from your cam chain.

When you hear noises from your cam chain you buy an automatic cam chain tensioner.

When you install the automatic cam chain tensioner you gain confidence and ride your XS to Las Vegas.

When you ride your XS to Las Vegas your old cam chain snaps and you lose all your valves.

When you lose all your valves you sell your XS to a chop shop.

Don't sell your XS to a chop shop!

.

That is a good one!

[Bonz]

Yeah, that was pure 3Phase!

[3Phase]

Thanks, guys! <sheepish look>

Seriously though, you have a low-mileage XS so what... 'happened' to your cam chain? Your XS was pristine when I saw it at Durango and it sounded perfect. The cam chain in that bike should be just getting finished breaking in, not replaced!

[Courtney]

Bonz,

With the tensioner removed you will be able to fit the master link with your hands. It's a bit of a challenge as the new chain will be very tight, but you can put it together between the cam sprockets using your fingers and a bit of patience.

And a bit of flesh to the mechanic Gods, and some fancy language your drill sargeant taught you.......

[Bonz]

3phase,

The auto CCT was initially for my 80G that has a cam chain clatter. I picked that bike up last fall as a work in process, and since it went on so easy and simply, I got one for the 80SG you so fondly remember and put that on a few nights ago.

The cam chain is for the 80G, not the SG. SG is still getting broke in as you say with just over 20,550 miles after my ride yesterday.

Having 3 bikes helps keep the miles down on the SG for sure, and the 80G being the new to me in terms of finally getting it on the road, gets the lion share miles so far this riding season.

[WMarshy]

I dont think you should mess with it with only ~25K miles. I have ~52K on mine and no worries. Im sure others can say the same...