Topic: Valve Tappet Adjustment - Cam Chain Tensioner Reqd?

[liPPy]

I have the engine of my K8 on the work bench ready to be buttoned up and the last thing to take care of is setting the valve clearance.

Do I need to have the cam chain tensioner installed and the cam chain under tension for this?

I wouldn't have thought it made any difference (and the manual makes no mention of it)  but I do recall reading a post that implied this was essential.

As ever thoughts and advice greatly appreciated!

Tks, liPPy

[Ernest T]

I wouldn't think it would make much difference,  The cam is held in place by plain bearings with a minimum clearance, for lubrication, between the bearings and cam.  Tensioning the cam chain will put a little pressure on the cam, but its in the middle of the cam which will minimize the differrence between tensioned and untensioned.

For what its worth, the cam on a SOHC GL1800 is driven from the end, not the middle and you are supposed to take the tension off the cam chain before measuring the valve clearances.  I've done it both ways and there is no difference between the two.

[dave500]

so long as the tappet being adjusted is on its base circle it wouldnt know if a chain or tensioner was there,tappets dont know much?

[liPPy]

Thanks! Job done