cam chain

[mrbsyammy]

Since I have to replace my head gasket AGAIN what is the life of stock cam chain? on 79 xs1100
Till then

[jetmechmarty]

Since I have to replace my head gasket AGAIN what is the life of stock cam chain? on 79 xs1100
Till then

Cam chain life is determined by how much you beat up on it. Stock tensioner? How far extended is it? The chain isn't too expensive or tough to replace. If I had any uncertainties, I believe I'd get a new one.

[red bandit]

I've got 65,000 on mine and see no need to change it. YMMV.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Mr. Bill,

As stated, depends on how well the bike was maintained or beaten upon. The indicating factor is with the OEM cam chain tensioner, it has a certain amount of travel to take up the slack that occurs as the chain stretches from age/wear. When the tensioner is fully extended while in place, then the chain has worn/stretched far enough to require replacing.

The chain can be changed WITHOUT splitting the cases. We highly suggest installing a different type of cam chain tensioner vs. the OEM due to it's propensity to wear out/ loose it's tension allowing the plunger to move and too much chain slack to occur, which leads to the chain hopping cam sprocket or crank sprocket teeth, putting the valves out of time, which leads to pistons meeting valves=bent valves or worse!

Either install the ACCT, or perform the mod to the OEM with the carriage bolt, a search should reveal the threads complete with photos and info on how to make the MOD yourself, and thoughts/pros/cons for both types!

T.C.

[cajun31]

To follow up on TCs comment

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35497&highlight=cam+chain+tensioner+oem+mod

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35501&highlight=cam+chain+tensioner+oem+mod

[mrbsyammy]

Hey Mr. Bill,

As stated, depends on how well the bike was maintained or beaten upon. The indicating factor is with the OEM cam chain tensioner, it has a certain amount of travel to take up the slack that occurs as the chain stretches from age/wear. When the tensioner is fully extended while in place, then the chain has worn/stretched far enough to require replacing.

The chain can be changed WITHOUT splitting the cases. We highly suggest installing a different type of cam chain tensioner vs. the OEM due to it's propensity to wear out/ loose it's tension allowing the plunger to move and too much chain slack to occur, which leads to the chain hopping cam sprocket or crank sprocket teeth, putting the valves out of time, which leads to pistons meeting valves=bent valves or worse!

Either install the ACCT, or perform the mod to the OEM with the carriage bolt, a search should reveal the threads complete with photos and info on how to make the MOD yourself, and thoughts/pros/cons for both types!

T.C.

I should have mentioned the bike has 20,000 original miles and adult driven which I find to be a stupid statement an adult could beat the crap out of it. I am 66 yo and believe me I'm old but far from dead, I am so crippled up I can barley walk but I still enjoy speed and love it when some young puppy is going by me and finds out how fast an XS1100 is and I usually will get a thumbs up when they ketch up to me at next stop sign.. All kidding a side I am a perfectionist and take very good care of my bikes which is about 14 or so. The factor tensioner looked good and wasn't at the end of its travel so I should be good to go! and what is a ACCT? I do thank all that replied to my question. Have a great day.
Till then and thanks again. Mr.Bill

[jetmechmarty]

ACCT= Automatic Cam Chain Tensioner

There is much about them in this forum. It amounts to replacing the tensioner with a maintenance free unit from a later machine.

[mrbsyammy]

ACCT= Automatic Cam Chain Tensioner

There is much about them in this forum. It amounts to replacing the tensioner with a maintenance free unit from a later machine.

ACCT explanation wow I just lost what I just wrote wt? I can never find anything on search for whatever reason?
Thanks Mr.Bill

[motoman]

ACCT explanation wow I just lost what I just wrote wt? I can never find anything on search for whatever reason?
Thanks Mr.Bill

Well V-Max/Venture has been the first choice for 'plug'n'play' over the years.
Several Yammy applications work.....Raptor,Vision, ect.........there's 40+ options on a list here somewhere.

Has been proven the stock one with the mickey'mouse pinch bolt will NOT hold in place upon a hard decel, and HAS to be re-set...again..and again. The loose timing chain also changes cam timing.
Self tensioning one keeps cams in time ALL the time.......and they don't 'weep' oil.

[mrbsyammy]

Well V-Max/Venture has been the first choice for 'plug'n'play' over the years.
Several Yammy applications work.....Raptor,Vision, ect.........there's 40+ options on a list here somewhere.

Has been proven the stock one with the mickey'mouse pinch bolt will NOT hold in place upon a hard decel, and HAS to be re-set...again..and again. The loose timing chain also changes cam timing.
Self tensioning one keeps cams in time ALL the time.......and they don't 'weep' oil.

I agree on auto n can't afford anything over $1000

[motoman]

I agree on auto n can't afford anything over $1000

Well then, you could get you a ACCT and have it gold-plated.

[mrbsyammy]

Well then, you could get you a ACCT and have it gold-plated.

talking about a motorcycle dah..lol opps

[cajun31]

Mr. B

Go back to my post #5 in this thread and click on the links I provided. Your question on ACCT will be more then answered and the thread from crazy steve will actually give you choices of which ACCT you might want to pick up off of Ebay. Your $1000 statement has led me to believe you might be confused by moto's last post.

[mrbsyammy]

Go back to my post #5 in this thread and click on the links I provided. Your question on ACCT will be more then answered and the thread from crazy steve will actually give you choices of which ACCT you might want to pick up off of Ebay. Your $1000 statement has led me to believe you might be confused by moto's last post.

you think?? oxicontins tend to mess with my head I hate them but if I don't take them I am stuck in my recliner . I bought a new head gasket and Yamaha is not cheap. So should I put a small amount of sealer around the cam chain area since I am not reusing the gasket that some have never seen and is no longer made that was used on some but not others?
Till then Thanks Mr.Bill

[mrbsyammy]

Hey Mr. Bill,

As stated, depends on how well the bike was maintained or beaten upon. The indicating factor is with the OEM cam chain tensioner, it has a certain amount of travel to take up the slack that occurs as the chain stretches from age/wear. When the tensioner is fully extended while in place, then the chain has worn/stretched far enough to require replacing.

The chain can be changed WITHOUT splitting the cases. We highly suggest installing a different type of cam chain tensioner vs. the OEM due to it's propensity to wear out/ loose it's tension allowing the plunger to move and too much chain slack to occur, which leads to the chain hopping cam sprocket or crank sprocket teeth, putting the valves out of time, which leads to pistons meeting valves=bent valves or worse!

Either install the ACCT, or perform the mod to the OEM with the carriage bolt, a search should reveal the threads complete with photos and info on how to make the MOD yourself, and thoughts/pros/cons for both types!

T.C.

The manual ones don't excite me in the least I don't like the idea of metal on metal at all! was on ebay and didn't find any ACCT aftermarket tensioners? all I could find was manual and stock?
Till then Thank you Mr.Bill oh P.S. have new head gasket and I am not reusing the extra gasket that doesn't exist, so should I use a sealer around the cam chain opening?