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  • Cam Chain Tensioner Adjustment Horror

    Well I met my demise with the tensioner.

    I done it before with no ill effects but this time I must of back the bolt to far waiting for that click sound so I tighten it back up and tried turning the motor over by hand and it jamb up on me. I didn't force it thank god I didn't try and start it probably would have destroyed the top end

    Of course not thinking I turned the motor counter clock wise enough to free it up but it did a few clicks and then by then I knew jump a clog or 2 LOL.

    So out of time I am mad at myself thinking that I'm going to ruin a great Jap Bike.

    So now what.

    I got the manual out Clymer's of course but doesn't say much about how to fix it but enough information that I needed to know so I went at it.

    And got it done WHAT A PAIN IN THE ASS probably cause I have no clue what I was doing.

    What I did is try to get as close to TDC even if your out at 4 clock on that dial LOL!

    Had to pull off the Valve cover pulled out the Tensioner reef up on that Cam Chain just enough to turn one Cam at a time to line up the Dots and Arrows without dropping the chain off the Crank once I got the Cams where I wanted them I put the chain back on top of the Cam chain guide and sprockets letting the slack drop down enough then put my finger against the Cam chain though the tensioner hole to release enough pressure off the Crank then I slowly turn the Crank to TDC I had enough slack to do this without moving my Cams. I really had to make sure that my chain was good on the crank sprocket so I jiggled it back and forth with the wrench.

    Then reinstall Cam Tensioner Slowly set it to the big C mark then reset the Tensioner.

    Then I slowly turned the motor by hand making sure it wasn't going to jamb on me again and that the Cams were going to line up at TDC rotated it a few times more to TDC everything look good after 4 tries LOL! Finally got it.

    Man even if your off one clog you're SOL

    For awhile there I was getting frustrate with that chain was pretty hard getting enough slack to turn the cam with a wrench so I did not bugger up anything.

    Put it back together and she fired right up was I happy to hear it run again went out and put a few miles on her.

    Runs pretty sweet now I definitely don't want to go through this again might have to go with a self adjuster while I was in there I had a look at the cam lobes they look good as I didn't notice any abnormities did the feeler gauge thing everything up to spec.

    Has this ever happened to you trying to think where I went wrong maybe over tighten the lock bolt and put to much pressure against the chain was on a level floor before doing the adjustment so I know that's wasn't a problem.

    Rick
    XS11E 1978

    Past Bikes that I owned
    H1 Kawasaki 500 1972
    CB 750K Honda 1978
    CB 750K Honda 1979
    Triumph 500 Daytona 1968
    Triumph 650 Bonny 1969

  • #2
    Don't feel bad, I bent four valves doing a simple swap for an ACCT. I made the mistake of hand-turning the motor, and then starting it while out of time. The things u learn . . .
    1979 XS1100F
    2H9 Mod, Truck-Lite LED Headlight, TECHNA-FIT S/S Brake Lines, Rear Air Shocks, TKAT Fork Brace, Dyna DC-I Coils, TC Fuse Block, Barnett HD Clutch Springs, Superbike Handlebars, V-Star 650 ACCT, NGK Irridium Plugs, OEM Exhaust. CNC-Cut 2nd Gear Dogs; Ported/Milled Head; Modded Airbox: 8x8 Wix Panel Filter; #137.5 Main Jet, Viper Yellow Paint, Michelin Pilot Activ F/R, Interstate AGM Battery, 14MM MC, Maier Fairing, Cree LED Fog Lights.

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    • #3
      Originally posted by XS 1100 Rick View Post
      Runs pretty sweet now I definitely don't want to go through this again might have to go with a self adjuster while I was in there I had a look at the cam lobes they look good as I didn't notice any abnormities did the feeler gauge thing everything up to spec.
      Hi, Rick -

      Good job fixing your problem!

      If you do decide to go with an ACCT, it's been pretty well established that a V-Max ACCT is plug 'n' play on the XS11.

      But also, look HERE for other fitment options and a great how-to on ACCT's:

      http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...111#post358111
      Marco

      Current bikes:
      1979 Yamaha XS Eleven Special (SF)
      1979 Honda CBX
      2002 Kawasaki ZRX1200R

      Rest in Peace, Don Glardon (DGXSER) 1966-2014
      WE MISS YOU, DON

      Comment


      • #4
        Hey Rick,

        Great save! Now, as to what happened...the bolt you loosen on the CCT just releases tension on the plunger. The plunger is what moves against the cam chain guide to keep the slack taken up. As long as you're at the right position "C" mark ( you didn't say) when doing the CCT adjustment, you can remove the locking bolt completely even, as long as you put it back in and get it tensioned up and then locked in place to securely hold the plunger shaft BEFORE you rotate the engine....then nothing would be damaged.

        When replacing the CCT with the ACCT you will want to pull the valve cover off again, and use the exhaust cam to take up the slack when you pull the CCT out to keep the chain from dropping around the crankshaft sprocket and jumping a tooth(cog), and then after installing the new ACCT you can slowly release the slack by rotating the exhaust cam again to allow the ratchet device to take up the slack.

        T.C.
        T. C. Gresham
        81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
        79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
        History shows again and again,
        How nature points out the folly of men!

        Comment


        • #5
          Hi Top Cat
          When I do the Acct.
          You bet will pull the cover to make sure I don't get them Cams out of whack again. Its been an experience from hell LOL! and don't want to go threw that again.

          Thank for the info All

          Rick
          XS11E 1978

          Past Bikes that I owned
          H1 Kawasaki 500 1972
          CB 750K Honda 1978
          CB 750K Honda 1979
          Triumph 500 Daytona 1968
          Triumph 650 Bonny 1969

          Comment


          • #6
            Cam Timing

            When you decide to perform this (critical) procedure, it is ALWAYS a better idea to read the service manual first - even if you have done it before.

            There is simply too much that can go wrong by "thinking" that you remember how it is done. Consider yourself lucky that you did not have to ask where to buy new valves, etc.

            Service manuals have the information in them so you do not have to burden yourself with remembering everything. Never feel embarrassed for having to look something up.

            MP
            1981 XS1100H Venturer
            K&N Air Filter
            ACCT
            Custom Paint by Deitz
            Geezer Rectifier/Regulator
            Chacal Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines
            Chrome Front Rotor & Caliper Covers
            Stebel Nautilus Horn
            EBC Front Rotors
            Limie Accent Moves On In 2015

            Mike

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by MPittma100 View Post
              When you decide to perform this (critical) procedure, it is ALWAYS a better idea to read the service manual first - even if you have done it before.

              There is simply too much that can go wrong by "thinking" that you remember how it is done. Consider yourself lucky that you did not have to ask where to buy new valves, etc.

              Service manuals have the information in them so you do not have to burden yourself with remembering everything. Never feel embarrassed for having to look something up.

              MP
              I agree with that 100%! I always look up each thing before doing any adjustments to my bikes. Thing is, that as I have several of them, that I can get confused between one and the other. Simple quick look at the manuals can help this. Each model has it's own specific settings and you would have to be nothing short of weird to remember all of them.
              2-79 XS1100 SF
              2-78 XS1100 E Best bike Ever
              80 XS 1100 SG Big bore kit but not fully running yet.
              Couple of more parts bikes of which 2 more will live!

              Comment


              • #8
                A little trick we used to do was after lining up the C place a little tension in the opposite direction with the wrench before tightning up the cam adjuster bolt. When done with the valve cover off you can see more slack come out of the cam chain. This is a trick that Snark taught me back in 1982 and have done it ever since.
                "We are often so caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey." "

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