Ex-lurker seeks tech help
#1
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Ex-lurker seeks tech help
"ve been lurking on this site for some time with little of value to add. I'm now in need of help/advice regarding changing the cam chain tensionsers.
I debated going "APE" but decided I like the automatic feature of the Honda tensioners, soooo I now have two of 'em sitting in my garage.
Does anyone have advice or recommendations for changing these out? I'm guessing I need to retract the tension on the old ones before pulling them, make sure the crank/cam doesn't move, keep the tension off the new ones (they ship with 1mm thick retainers) and then release after they're bolted in place. Not sure if it matters if the pistons are at TDC when changing each one - can't see any way for the timing to change unless the cams rotate.
I debated going "APE" but decided I like the automatic feature of the Honda tensioners, soooo I now have two of 'em sitting in my garage.
Does anyone have advice or recommendations for changing these out? I'm guessing I need to retract the tension on the old ones before pulling them, make sure the crank/cam doesn't move, keep the tension off the new ones (they ship with 1mm thick retainers) and then release after they're bolted in place. Not sure if it matters if the pistons are at TDC when changing each one - can't see any way for the timing to change unless the cams rotate.
#4
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Location: Los Angeles, California, Canyons = SMM's, ACH,
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Re: Ex-lurker seeks tech help
Not sure if it matters if the pistons are at TDC when changing each one - can't see any way for the timing to change unless the cams rotate.
[/quote]
if one of the cam lobes is under valve spring pressure when you release chain tension it can jump timing between the loose loop of chain hanging on the crankshaft sprocket. (low point of the chain and half the size of the cam sprockets)
If your @ TDC you'll be on the heel of both cams for that cylinder, and there'll be no valve spring pressure on the cam lobes to cause them to rotate.
It's still a good idea to hand crank afterward to verify cam timing.
~Jeffers
[/quote]
if one of the cam lobes is under valve spring pressure when you release chain tension it can jump timing between the loose loop of chain hanging on the crankshaft sprocket. (low point of the chain and half the size of the cam sprockets)
If your @ TDC you'll be on the heel of both cams for that cylinder, and there'll be no valve spring pressure on the cam lobes to cause them to rotate.
It's still a good idea to hand crank afterward to verify cam timing.
~Jeffers
#6
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Re: Ex-lurker seeks tech help
Thanks for the valuable information. I hadn't taken the time to reason through how a floppy cam chain could jump teeth on the sprocket.
I'll be doing all of the recommended (TDC on each cylinder, plugs out (gotta change em anyway), etc,).
I'll be doing all of the recommended (TDC on each cylinder, plugs out (gotta change em anyway), etc,).
#8
Re: Ex-lurker seeks tech help
This same alignment technique makes adjusting manual CCTs easy since the cams need to again be in the correct position.
#9
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Los Angeles, California, Canyons = SMM's, ACH,
Posts: 147
_________________
John
'99 VTR1000
'02 KLR650
************
Pretty amazing John , same two bikes.
Is the KLR a canyon bike?
~CaffeineRacer~VTR996~KLR651~
Los Angeles, California, USA
http://www.labiker.com/members/?JeffGronert
John
'99 VTR1000
'02 KLR650
************
Pretty amazing John , same two bikes.
Is the KLR a canyon bike?
~CaffeineRacer~VTR996~KLR651~
Los Angeles, California, USA
http://www.labiker.com/members/?JeffGronert
#10
_________________
Pretty amazing John , same two bikes.
Is the KLR a canyon bike?
~CaffeineRacer~VTR996~KLR651~
Los Angeles, California, USA
http://www.labiker.com/members/?JeffGronert
Pretty amazing John , same two bikes.
Is the KLR a canyon bike?
~CaffeineRacer~VTR996~KLR651~
Los Angeles, California, USA
http://www.labiker.com/members/?JeffGronert
Wow, I see you have good (great) taste in bikes. I couldn't say my KLR is a canyon bike (not to many canyons in TN) but I do like taking it up onto our TN and NC mountain twisty roads. The trouble is on a nice weekend I have a hard time deciding which of my two rides to head up into the hills with since as you know the KLR is such a blast to ride...(as is the VTR of course)....
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08-30-2005 04:14 PM