I'm having trouble getting the exhaust cam chain on the cam. I have taken the sprocket off of the cam and slipped the chain over the sprocket. I've got the tensioner as tight as I possibly can. However, I can't get the sprocket on the cam now. Is there some kind of trick to this. The local guru said that he remembers taking the tensioner completely off to put it on but I'm pretty sure I wont be able to get the tensioner back in the jugs if I pull it out. I'm not in the mood to pull all of that back apart and start all over with putting the pistons back in the jugs.
Any tips or tricks?
Cb750
The tensioner should be in place and as loose as possible. Maybe that's what you meant but you said tight. You would remove the tensioner from the back side of the cylinder, push the plunger into the housing and tighten the hold bolt down. Reinstall the tensioner. There should be no issue here, removing/replacing the tensioner, setting the chain, etc. all routine items. Something is not right.
Other than that, its just a matter of setting the cam sprocket. The cam should be down in the bearing holders, you say you're getting the chain on the sprocket, so that's not an issue.
While pulling up on the chain, rotate the crank 1/2 turn or so. There may be a link doubled up on the bottom of the crank sprocket.
PS: Not sure what you mean by "exhaust cam chain". There is only one chain and it runs one cam which is both intake and exhaust.