Cannaot get chain back onto sprokets

1982 Xj650j

Took off the chain and camshafts to do some basic maintenance and now I'm having trouble getting the chain back onto the sprockets. It has an automatic tensioner and I've tried loosening the chain the only way I know, crying and throwing a hissy fit. That didn't work and now I'm at a loss.

 

What kind of basic maintenance requires taking off the camshafts?

 

I believe the way I've done this in the past involves removing the sprockets from the camshafts. So you should have the engine at TDC, install cams to timing marks on the camshaft caps with the sprockets loose, then pull the chain back from the front of the engine over the sprockets and bolt them to the camshafts. Seems like you can't get at both bolts on the sprockets in this position, so you may have to tighten one bolt on each sprocket and then rotate the engine carefully once you have things aligned to tighten the other bolts.

But don't take any of the above over the wise words from a service manual...

 

Replacing the head light fluid :lol:

Actually valve shims, and yes I know what I did was overkill but I wanted to also get a feel for other components while working on it.

I'll give the suggestion above a try thanks, but I can even get the sprockets onto the cam shafts it feels about 1/2 inch off the bolt trick sounds like a good idea though.

 

has the chain come off the lower sprocket ? if so you need to remove the long chain guide & you should have removed the adjuster.

 

Stop right now and get ahold of a service manual.

If need be, PM me with your email address and I'll send you the procedure for re-setting the cams from the factory book.

Whatever behooved you to remove the cams to adjust your valve clearances is beyond me; but if you "want to get a feel" for things your best bet is to get a feel for doing it right. These are "interference" motors, which means if you turn the motor over with the cams out of position pistons will hit valves.