Cam chain, is it time?

Hey guys, I've got 86,000+ km on the bike, and I noticed today when doing some work, if I lift the chain between the cams I can actually pull about half an inch off the plastic flat guide. Now this isn't just pinching it and lifting, I actually had to pull it up using some force, rotating the cams a bit as it raised.

So, could it be a tensioner issue? Time for a new chain? And can I replace it without having to split the cases, or take the head off? I'm assuming it's been like this for a while as there's marks (grooves) in the valve cover were the chain has worn it away.

Thanks for your input guys!

 

Probably just time to learn how to adjust the chain tensioner.

To replace the chain, you hafta tear it down.

 

No yo don't, Hog, you can break the chain, wire the new one to the end of it & draw ir around, then join the new chain. Definitely look at the tensioner first.

 

Correct , you can do it as described above , just have to remove the cam cover . Would suggest you change the tensioner as a matter of course at the same time as the chain , equals best practice, cheers ,Murray

 

It's an automatic tensioner, but I'll check it first, make sure it's not hung up on something.

I'd rather not have to do the chain till next winter if I can squeak one more season out of it.

Thanks for your thoughts guys.

 

I thought it was a non-master link chain.......I didn't realize you could break these I thought they were a single continunous, non-serviceable chain. I thought the purpose of that was so that you didn't end up with a pin that could come back out as some in-opportune time. In which case, you'd have to pull everything apart.

If you DON'T have to do all that, that's great! But how then do you make sure that the new chain doesn't have a pin or link that can come apart?

That was the whole reason I've passed up a couple bikes---'hafta tear down to replace a bad chain"........Guess that's what I get for listening to a dealer and not double-checking ......doh.

dave

 

This is a bicycle, but the principle is the same.
CHAIN BREAKER

 

Guess it would depend on the replacement chain, could be a rivet chain.
Chacal could tell us what's available.
What happened to changing sprockets with the chain ?

 

Cam chains are rivet type...

 

The original fiche has a chain and master link separate. So I'd imaging the old one would come out quite easily. The issue is the new ones Chacal has are continuous, so you have to break them and use a master link after the fact.

Those breaker tools are stupid expensive, as are the plastic guides.

That's kind of why I'd like to wait till next season to decide if I want to put that kind of money into it, or try to convince the wife it's time for something new

 

Breaker tools are $14, are you on the bread line ?

 

What happened to changing sprockets with the chain ? <Polock>

What, all 3 of them ? you're a hard task master Mr P.

 

HCP9203 Aftermarket camshaft or drive CHAIN BREAKER AND RIVETER TOOL SET, comes with a complete set of 3 different size tips, press plates, all contained within a durable plastic case. A professional quality tool designed for shop use.
$ 109.95

ouch.

HCP2529 OEM camshaft chain FRONT GUIDE, for all XJ650, all XJ700 non-X, all XJ750, and all XJ900RK, RL, N/FN, and F engines. NOTE: here’s a great view of how to properly “seat” the guide properly into the engine case: www.xjbikes.com/Forums...45268.html
$ 54.95

double ouch...

HCP2531 OEM camshaft chain REAR GUIDE, for all XJ650, all XJ700 non-X, all XJ750, and all XJ900RK, RL, N/FN, and F engines.
$ 129.95

*Thinks about trying to convince the wife to go new*

 

CHAIN BREAKER

 

I don't buy from ebay, especially uk ebay lol

 

E-bay isn't a seller. It's a marketplace. Think of it as a virtual swap meet.

 

How about $30 for this chain breaker/rivet tool:

http://www.cyclegear.com/CycleGear/Acce ... 6518_00000

I used one to do a 530 drive chain last weekend... worked great!

 

Remember, i'm in Canada, anything I buy in the states will cost me $50 in duty

I'm the sort that likes to drive to a store and buy something if I can.

And yes moe, I know what e-bay is i'm not 70 lol

 

I buy from e-bay, and it's saved me plenty of money tool-wise. You should consider it, I'm sure someone in Canada has a chain tool for a reasonable price.

TBH I'm not sure the chain's worn out though, maybe just the tensioners stuck & then all you'd need to buy is some brake cleaner (to un-gum & clean the tensioner), a tensioner gasket (or some gasket paper & make one) and a screwdriver that fits the slot in the tensioner (if you don't already have one that'd fit)

 

You may try this guy:

http://www.xs650direct.com/

He has a cam chain tool kit at less than 45$, I don't know if it is the same size of cam chain on an XS and an XJ though.

 

Pulled the auto adjuster yesterday, it's all moving fine. I'll see if I can get through the season and maybe change the cam chain out next winter.

 

Maybe change the auto for a manual adjuster, you can give them a bit more of a shove.

 

Common mod on early '80s Hondas that one. IIRC the auto-tensioner could be changed to manual by "gutting" it, drilling & tapping a thread and fitting a suitable bolt/locknut in place of the spring/plunger. Might be workable to quieten the chain for the season...

 

Learned a hard lesson on gasket making today. Had the girl all back together hoping some high tack would be ok for the gasket. No go oil leak. So I took it all apart and made a new gasket from a couple layers of coke box cardboard.

The lesson learned, is don't forget the area where the bolts go through. Didn't think of it at the time, but the space with no gasket under bolts tend to make the unit break when you tighten it up

*sigh* another order to Len submitted, and a 3 week wait for parts

 

For as critical the job is, having a QUALITY Chain-breaking Tool, is a big plus.

It might be a good idea to have our family get one and send it along to each member who needs to do the task.