Topic: Honda CRF230F

[BenelliSEI]

Chasing a rattle in the CRF today. Pulled the cam chain tensioner. It goes in and out and the spring does not appear to be broken. When it is fully extended I can push it in and out easily. Occasionally it sticks. Anyone know how these work? Should it “latch” as it steps out or is it just the constant spring pressure that keeps it tensioned? Any info appreciated.

[BenelliSEI]

Pain to remove, had to pull the carb aside and remove the starter motor. There’s a small screw inside the tensioner barrel that backs the plunger all the way out. Made a small key that holds it retracted until installed. Once it’s in, pulled the key and it springs out. I also had the cover off the cam drive sprocket and it still seemed loose. Using a tiny screwdriver I very slightly increased the tensioner pressure and it seems to have clicked in a slightly tighter (extended) position…..

But I’m not convinced. On the bench I could easily push the tensioner in and out. It never really latches in position and the spring pressure is very light. I think it’s worn out. Ever the optimist, I assembled everything and fired it up. Much quieter, but I’m sure it will rattle back if used hard. I ordered a mechanical substitute and will try that instead. The cam chain is probably stretched to the limit, so this is all a waste of time. Keeps me out of trouble??

[grcamna2]

How much is Honda asking for a new automatic tensioner John ?

[BenelliSEI]

How much is Honda asking for a new automatic tensioner John ?

Cdn $107!

[grcamna2]

How much is Honda asking for a new automatic tensioner John ?

Cdn $107!

The XR200R,XL185,etc. engines of the past used a manually adjust slipper which works very good,as long as they were adjusted;when they aren't.. lot's of crankcase,etc. gets ground away which fills up the engine w/ aluminum.
A good,functioning automatic factory tensioner knows just how much pressure to give the camshaft/drive a long life. 
I hope your grandson remembers to adjust it at the intervals;I prefer a new automatic factory Honda part,imo.

[BenelliSEI]

How much is Honda asking for a new automatic tensioner John ?

Cdn $107!

The XR200R,XL185,etc. engines of the past used a manually adjust slipper which works very good,as long as they were adjusted;when they aren't.. lot's of crankcase,etc. gets ground away which fills up the engine w/ aluminum.
A good,functioning automatic factory tensioner knows just how much pressure to give the camshaft/drive a long life. 
I hope your grandson remembers to adjust it at the intervals;I prefer a new automatic factory Honda part,imo.

Bill….. This bike has a lot of hours on it. I suspect the cam chain is stretched and the sliders are probably well worn. I’ll use the mechanical adjuster with caution. I bet there is nothing really wrong with original, just reached the limit of its effectiveness. Assuming the bike survives the Summer and Fall, I’ll look into it over the winter.

[grcamna2]

How much is Honda asking for a new automatic tensioner John ?

Cdn $107!

The XR200R,XL185,etc. engines of the past used a manually adjust slipper which works very good,as long as they were adjusted;when they aren't.. lot's of crankcase,etc. gets ground away which fills up the engine w/ aluminum.
A good,functioning automatic factory tensioner knows just how much pressure to give the camshaft/drive a long life. 
I hope your grandson remembers to adjust it at the intervals;I prefer a new automatic factory Honda part,imo.

Bill….. This bike has a lot of hours on it. I suspect the cam chain is stretched and the sliders are probably well worn. I’ll use the mechanical adjuster with caution. I bet there is nothing really wrong with original, just reached the limit of its effectiveness. Assuming the bike survives the Summer and Fall, I’ll look into it over the winter.

I understand 

[BenelliSEI]

Recieved the manual cam chain tensioner that’s listed for the CRF230F. Exactly as pictured above, it won’t fit. Modifications would need to include counter sinking the bottom screw and cutting off the head of the adjuster screw. The starter motor leaves absolutely no extra space around the tensioner. Mmmm.

[grcamna2]

John,what you mentioned about the cam chain having lot's of hours on it also;might be good to change that out before putting the bike into full service.

[BenelliSEI]

John,what you mentioned about the cam chain having lot's of hours on it also;might be good to change that out before putting the bike into full service.

Good point and I wonder if the chain can be changed without pulling the motor and tearing it down? Probably not and the sliders and tensioner pad should be replaced at the same time. I think I’ll just change to oil to 20W50 and let it run for now. My grandson is not at the stage where he is beating up engines.

[grcamna2]

John,what you mentioned about the cam chain having lot's of hours on it also;might be good to change that out before putting the bike into full service.

Good point and I wonder if the chain can be changed without pulling the motor and tearing it down? Probably not and the sliders and tensioner pad should be replaced at the same time. I think I’ll just change to oil to 20W50 and let it run for now. My grandson is not at the stage where he is beating up engines.

John,the cam chain can be slid right down the cam chain tunnel on the left side of the engine;it requires removing the alternator rotor and camshaft sprocket.
The cam chain tensioner sliders are very beefy on that engine and are most likely still ok.

An OEM shop manual is very handy if you plan on keeping that nice machine.

[BenelliSEI]

Interesting, I will have a look. Thanks!

I did fiddle with the stock tensioner and swapped in a litre of Castrol 20W-50 oil. It’s running so well, I’m just going to let it go until the winter. I need to get off the race car and back on the Sandcast!

[BenelliSEI]

Long weekend coming up and the Family will all be here. The Sandcast Project gas tank is “derusting” for +24 hours so pulled out the CRF230. All it needed was some fresh gas and a bit of oil in the crankcase. Fired right up and did a few laps around our trails. Typical Honda. Quiet and delightful.
 
  The last time we ran the “little” RM80 it mysteriously died. Of course the Team just slipped it back in the shop and went home….. Spark was weak. Put in a fresh plug and it brightened right up, but still refused to start. Lots of fuel from the petcock, so pulled the carb. The low speed jet was plugged up. Stripped the carb and dumped it in the ultrasonic tank. Blew it out, put it all back together and it fired second kick. Go figure. Just wanted some attention?

    Did a few laps and it runs perfectly. I think I’m going to make this one disappear. Typical two-stroke; the power hits like a baseball bat. I have to sit up on the tank to keep the front end on the ground. It’s like riding a 500R! I think I’ll sell it and find another CRF230. The electric start is charming and the bike is so much easier to ride. Need to brew some gas for the golf cart and we’re ready for the onslaught. A trucker friend always brings in a load of lobster for this weekend (live from the east coast). Ordered 10 for Saturday.

[grcamna2]

John,your grandson really likes the CRF230 
I hope you and yours fully enjoy Labor Day.

[BenelliSEI]

John,your grandson really likes the CRF230 
I hope you and yours fully enjoy Labor Day.

Thanks Bill! The CRF is so much easier and his confidence builds every time he rides it. The RM is NOT a “learner bike”.