Cam Chain Tensioners
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Senior Member
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 108
From: Cali High Desert
Cam Chain Tensioners
I just got my bike, last weekend. The prior owner said the auto chain tensioners were replaced with manual tensioners...
The CCT on the rear cylinder looks just like the manual tensioners I see online. Cool.
However, the front cylinder...well, someone sealed the two bolt holes with epoxy (or something) as well as sealing (with the same stuff) the hole through which the tensioner bolt (on the manual tensioner) runs.
My understanding is that auto-tensioners are 'bullet' looking things, and manual-tensioners have a long bolt that sticks out an inch or so, with a lock-nut on the bolt.
To not have either, the 'bullet/auto' or the 'manual' tensioner is a condition I've not been able to find any information regarding. WTF?
I'm looking for education, and to try to figure out what's been done to the front cylinder.
The bike runs like a champ. Going on 22K miles.
Thanks for your help...
Alan
The CCT on the rear cylinder looks just like the manual tensioners I see online. Cool.
However, the front cylinder...well, someone sealed the two bolt holes with epoxy (or something) as well as sealing (with the same stuff) the hole through which the tensioner bolt (on the manual tensioner) runs.
My understanding is that auto-tensioners are 'bullet' looking things, and manual-tensioners have a long bolt that sticks out an inch or so, with a lock-nut on the bolt.
To not have either, the 'bullet/auto' or the 'manual' tensioner is a condition I've not been able to find any information regarding. WTF?
I'm looking for education, and to try to figure out what's been done to the front cylinder.
The bike runs like a champ. Going on 22K miles.
Thanks for your help...
Alan
Last edited by AlanS; Apr 29, 2017 at 08:20 PM.
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3
While the rear cam tensioner can be seen on the right side of the bike, make sure you are looking and the left side of the bike, under the fuel tank and directly behind the radiator hose for the front cylinder cam tensioner. Both cylinders also have castings that look like a tensioner may go there but, in fact, it is just a casting. If this is the case, can you post a pic of it?
VTR virgin
Superstock
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 447
From: Auckland, New Zealand
Cam chain tensioners always sit on the back side of the cylinders on engines that rotate in the same direction as the wheel, as the front side is the straight/tight chain run from the crank to the first sprocket to keep the timing correct.
The VTR cylinder casting is the same front and back, but they are finished off differently to account for the rotated orientation (so the intakes are in the V, the exhausts are outside). That means they start with blank castings for a tensioner mount on both sides of the cylinder, but only one side is finished to allow the tensioner to be installed.
Apparently you can make a rear cylinder/head work as a front cylinder/head, provided you can open out the unused tensioner mount on the back cylinder and blank off the existing one.
You can see the manual tensioner for the front head in this photo looking down into the V, with the tank/carbs/coolant hoses removed:
The VTR cylinder casting is the same front and back, but they are finished off differently to account for the rotated orientation (so the intakes are in the V, the exhausts are outside). That means they start with blank castings for a tensioner mount on both sides of the cylinder, but only one side is finished to allow the tensioner to be installed.
Apparently you can make a rear cylinder/head work as a front cylinder/head, provided you can open out the unused tensioner mount on the back cylinder and blank off the existing one.
You can see the manual tensioner for the front head in this photo looking down into the V, with the tank/carbs/coolant hoses removed:
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