Topic: CycleX HiPo cam chain tensioner & primary chain tensioner

[NickO]

Can anyone give some feedback on the operation of the relatively new Cyclex HiPo (racing) camchain and primary chain tensioners please?

Does anyone in the UK import these?

Thanks,

Nick

[Old Scrambler]

I use the Cycle-X cam-chain tension system in my 762cc salt-flats racer. Recently dyno'd at over 11,000-rpm. I also use that system in my street bike and have another set of 'white' tension materials on my bench for another motor build..............I guess I am convinced its a better product. 

[johno]

The cycle x products for cam and primary chain tension are working fine for me on my race bike,  not many hours up yet but lots of revs.
johno

[bear]

I know of a couple of primary chain failures in sidecar motors down here.
Having  said that, it's not the only brand to have problems in this application.
The stress on the drive train as a whole in competition sidecars is extreme.

Cheers,
Brian

[Bill/BentON Racing]

Not used the primary ones. The cam chain one, white one, in applications other than drag racing probably fine. Drag racing is extremely hard on chains ,guides and rollers. Drag racing with one in a about a hours run time left indentations on big roller, like a sprocket look, not sure about the material, but it's definitely softer than chain! One has to be softer than other to work properly. Exploring other avenues. Still like the early Yoshimura type, Kenny slider on top seemed to hold up better than big one drag racing application. Anyone with long run time got a pic, here's some pics of me studying it. Will have something to show next week! Kenny still shooting for Valdosta in November,  K. Kenny makes awesome stuff and a helluva  guy, just not sure about the big roller for drag racing. I'm using old school Yoshimura small needle /roller bearing up top and new OEM big roller, we'll see, Bill

[cbr954]

I know the old style slider type that kenny had before this style didn't work for me.  I had a milled head and the chain only contacted at one end of the slider and it wore the slider bad.  I have this new style in my street 970 and using new oem tensioners in the drag motors.

[Bill/BentON Racing]

Yep, seen same thing with the slider types, got a double roller unit coming, Bill

[Bill/BentON Racing]

Here's a progression through the years
. Stock, second one straight out of one of the RC triples, 450 idler gear up top, rolller bearing on bottom, next CycleX new style slipper top,  roller bottom, plastic or something?  Far right a Yoshimura bottom on the tensioner, had a metal roller up top, also has roller bearing bottom. The shiny new one we think is the way to go. I know I like it, also heard good things from kmb69 and JMR. Has a needle bearing top and bottom, specifically has different hardness than chain,  well made, but you see you have to make it work, rivet, etc, Bill My current engine has a Yoshimura top roller, solid and a NOS OEM one on bottom.

[Retro Rocket]

Here's a progression through the years
. Stock, second one straight out of one of the RC triples, 450 idler gear up top, rolller bearing on bottom, next CycleX new style slipper top,  roller bottom, plastic or something?  Far right a Yoshimura bottom on the tensioner, had a metal roller up top, also has roller bearing bottom. The shiny new one we think is the way to go. I know I like it, also heard good things from kmb69 and JMR. Has a needle bearing top and bottom, specifically has different hardness than chain,  well made, but you see you have to make it work, rivet, etc, Bill My current engine has a Yoshimura top roller, solid and a NOS OEM one on bottom.

Who makes the shiny new one Bill...?

[Bill/BentON Racing]

After I buy 3 for the Triple,  I'll let you know,  Bill I'll be back with info or a link!! 

[Medyo Bastos]

i have a set of those shiny ones too, just not tried yet


...Save a tree, eat a beaver...

[johno]

how's that link going Billy big balls 

[madmtnmotors]

how's that link going Billy big balls 

There's an Ebay seller for those type, don't know if they are the same source or manufacturer. If Bill doesn't post up soon I'll post the Ebay link (they are on my watch list).

[Bill/BentON Racing]

Got a call in, but haven't been getting much replies for some reason? ,Bill Been busy with other stuff related to SOHC family, Bill

[turboguzzi]

with all due respect, those idler wheels always looked to me like a real design flaw in the CB750 and the proof is that nowadays you cant find one on any production bike hipo or not
can think of a better solution than mec, the mechanical genius

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,54803.msg603056.html#msg603056

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

But will those bearings get proper oiling??

[livefast_dieold]

Hey,

I've been investigating on this as weel, check what Cappellini in Italy is doing for the CB750:

http://www.cappellinimoto.it/index.php?option=com_djcatalog2&view=item&id=86%3A722&cid=3%3Aarticolivari&Itemid=10&lang=en
http://www.cappellinimoto.it/index.php?option=com_djcatalog2&view=item&id=87%3A732&cid=3%3Aarticolivari&Itemid=10&lang=en

[Bill/BentON Racing]

Here's the eBay number, bought 3 for the Triple yesterday!    231576401099
I like these the best so far, nitro hard on non metallic surfaces!
I've got 3 brand new ones from CyckeX, $100.00 each plus $6.95 to ship 48 states, let me know.Bill

[kmb69]

with all due respect, those idler wheels always looked to me like a real design flaw in the CB750 and the proof is that nowadays you cant find one on any production bike hipo or not
can think of a better solution than mec, the mechanical genius

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,54803.msg603056.html#msg603056

Nearly all new bikes have Hy-Vo chains. These "idler wheels" are meant for roller chains.
I know, I know, before I get flamed, some engines with roller chains use only slipper types.
Mec's solution was for the Hy-Vo type chain if I recall correctly.

[Retro Rocket]

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/231576401099?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.ie%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D231576401099%26_rdc%3D1

 

[johno]

Thanks Bro,
I'll grab a pair and see what their like.
cheers johno

[Old Scrambler]

I appreciate all of the discussion..................just be sure to note..............ROLLER chain..............NOT the units with the pressed bushes that do not rotate.

I note the ebay seller claims the roller will absorb the wear because it is a softer metal than the chain.............he use the word 'ANY' which is hard to prove.  Personally, for the street with standard or HD chain, the Cycle-X product adds more support to the chain and would have less chance of 'wear' on the chain.  On a Hypo-motor in road-racing conditions, I reason that the added support and wear factor would be that much more attractive to preserve the chain and possible motor damage.  Drag-Racers.............your on your own

[turboguzzi]

with all due respect, those idler wheels always looked to me like a real design flaw in the CB750 and the proof is that nowadays you cant find one on any production bike hipo or not
can think of a better solution than mec, the mechanical genius

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,54803.msg603056.html#msg603056

Nearly all new bikes have Hy-Vo chains. These "idler wheels" are meant for roller chains.
I know, I know, before I get flamed, some engines with roller chains use only slipper types.
Mec's solution was for the Hy-Vo type chain if I recall correctly.

not flaming you, just not "some"...... all gsxr air-oil cooled engines are rooller chain, not hy-vo and yet use sliders, not idler wheels. i am pretty much into these motors and they are super reliable. talking of which, honda's own cb500/4 that came in 1972 and implemted many lessons learned on the 750, had sliders working over a roller chain.  bottom line, sliders work great on roller chains without having any spinning parts to self destroy..

[Bill/BentON Racing]

Yes, what I posted was just my experience.  Maybe old HD chain caused it, not sure how old etc. But big roller had wear I didn't like, was cutting it's own sprocket teeth,  Bill

[cbr954]

I have seen the same thing on my cycle x bottom roller...very few street miles on it too.  I used it with a new HD cycle x chain.  Going to run it as is as I didn't have any other options.