Topic: CB 550 cam chain tensioner adjustment

[rsank]

Hi everyone, I am doing the 3000 mile tune up on my bike. This is the first time I am doing it and it is probably the first time in 37 years that certain things are being done. PO did something with carbs only just to get it going.

The cam chain tensioner nut and adjustment screw were fused together but with some penetrant, I managed to loosen the nut. However, the screw will not move. Manual says it will automatically adjus,t but with a screwdriver, it won't budge. I wanted to check with you guys before I use more leverage and try to work it loose. Before I managed to get the nut loosened, the screw and nut were moving together but then I was using a box wrench with more leverage.

So, should I go ahead and use a socket wrench to force the screw to move? Or is there another technique to use?

[LesterPiglet]

Arrggghhhh. STOP! There are teeth that mate with a cog on the end of that screw and it only turns so far. It does not unscrew. With the nut loose the screw should slide in and out slightly. If you have forced it past its travel you have removal of the cam chain tensioner ahead.   

[eigenvector]

Yeah what Lester said.  Step away from the bigger hammer.  All you do is loosen the nut, then tighten it back up making sure the screw doesn't turn while you're tightening it.

If it's flat out not moving - it's entirely possible that it's as tight as it can get.

[rsank]

Ok! Thank goodness,  I stopped myself and posted this. Yes once I had the lock nut loose, I noticed a slight change in height when I tightened the nut back. And yes I did tighten it back up and used a screwdriver to hold the screw in place. All should be well then. Thanks guys! I was expecting the screw to actually rotate.

[Duanob]

If the nut and screw move together the adjuster is free. But as said above it only moves a 1/4 turn at the most. Counter clockwise tightens the adjuster. I use just enough pressure to hold the adjuster screw in place when tightening the nut.

[rsank]

Yes, that's what I saw. It would move only quarter turn clockwise and counter clockwise until it hit the stop. The nut and screw were rusted and stuck together and I couldn't hold the screw in place while loosening the nut. It took some soaking with penetrant to get the nut to loosen without moving the screw along with it.


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