Topic: cam chain tensioner

[bubba]

'78 cb 550 Cam chain tension adjusted in order of procedure.
When I was backing out the setting screw it felt springy.

Is this normal?
What indications should I look for to confirm tension short of removing valve cover? eg. sliding or clicking sound from tensioner.

[SteveD CB500F]

What bike?

Similar issues but different designs.

[Dusthawk]

How about 2 bird with one stone? I have a new polished tensioner for my 71 750 K1 and want to make sure I don't screw it up. Does it just pull out or is it attached to something in there I might have probs with?

Peace and Long Rides

Jeff

[techy5025]

You can safely remove the bolts and pull out the tensioner.  Nothing will
fall off inside your engine. You might want to have a new gasket on hand.
I always seem to break gaskets in at least half when I remove covers, etc. 

Jim

[Jonesy]

For the 550, the adjustment screw should feel springy. I posted this in another thread:

The tensioner has a curved leaf spring with a rubber/teflon coating (referred to as the "slipper") that rides against the slack side of the chain. The ends of this sping are attached to metal slides that have gear teeth on them. The tensioner screw is attached to a small gear between these metal slides. When the tensioner screw is released, the spling will tension itself and the slides will move accordingly. When you want to slacken the chain, turning the srew (and gear) will move the ends of the slides farther apart, trying to flatten out the curved spring and pulling it away from the chain. Moving the screw the other direction pulls the slides together, causing the slipper to bow outwards more, pushing harder on the cam chain.

Which directions did you use to tenison the chain? The clymer manual's directions are backwards. You'll probably get the best adjustment by doing this while the bike is running.

Check this out: http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=8589.0