Topic: Camchain tensioner

[Harry]

So, I adjusted valves this evening (500F), and decided to adjust camchain tensioner at the same time. Set up at 15 degrees past TDC according to manual, loosened locknut....hey, wait, it IS loose! Hmm, tightened...and DAMN, it feels STRIPPED! What do I do? Can I screw the tensioner bolt out to check the thread? Replace it with another bolt of same dimensions/ rethread the head?

[n9viw]

If the 500 is anything like my 550, and I think it is, the camchain adjusting bolt is actually a stud attached to a little geared piece on the tensioner. It's hard to explain unless you've actually seen it. Long story short, if it's the STUD that's actually stripped, then that baby's gotta come out, yes all of it.    If the stud is fine but the NUT is stripped, well, then just replace the nut.

[Harry]

Harry can you post a photo from the parst book? I know the 400 setup but not the 500...Dave

´tis when I turn the nut #11 that both the nut and threaded "rod" turn, sort of ti-i-i-ghten up....and then SCHLUP! its loose again, half a turn more, tighter, tighter...SCHLUP. Well, the SCHLUP! is not quite as dramatic as that, not at all like Ahnuld wading through dead bodies, but rather more a FEELING as anyone who has ever overtightened a plug can tell you. Funny thing is, the threaded "rod" also turns.....uhm, am I supposed to hold this with a screwdriver??? My Chiltons just says to loosen the locknut and then tighten it again...been years since I lasted adjusted camchain and the memory DOES tend to go when.....here, who ARE all you people and WHY are you reading this???

[n9viw]

Yeah, sometimes it helps to hold the stud steady with a screwdriver. Just get the bike to 15* BTDC (IIRC, for slack in the rear run of chain), loosen the nut, then hold the stud with a screwdriver as you tighten it up. That will really tell you if it's stripped or not. You don't have to gorilla-tighten it, just snug it down good. It still might not be a bad idea to take the nut off completely and check the threads on the stud and nut to make sure they're still good. If they are, put it back together and tighten as I said above, and you should be okay.

[Harry]

Geez, my memory really IS bad...I asked the same question in the greenspun archives in may 2003 

This was the answer I got:
The cam chain adjuster screw turns counter-clockwise to increase tension. When setting the locknut, you have to hold the adjuster bolt with a screwdriver so it doesnt follow. Put a little pressure anticlockwise on the adjuster because you will then help the spring to tighten the chain.This however have to be done with care, but helps to take away some noise from the camchain.On old engines there is a plastic tube on the internal tensioner-spring, which get hard and wont let the spring work properly, therefore you have to help the spring with the screwdriver.But dont overdo it, since it can be too tight.

Now, what was your question again.....

[SteveD CB500F]

Shame on you Harry - and you the chief FAQ-er!

Write it up at once.

[Harry]

Shame on you Harry - and you the chief FAQ-er!

Write it up at once.

He he, will do.....now, where did I put those FAQs