Cam chain tensioning - manual

[Cadbury64]

Here's a quick question for Carl (if you're watching). I pulled off the rear cam cover recently to add a bit of sealant as there was a bit of a weep; I read here that there was no need for sealant, the front head looks good but not so for the back head. So a wee dollop of sealant on the half moon sections was added.

Anyway, while I was in there I admired the lovely shiny cam lobes (no visible wear at 73000km - none at all! I'm a former VF750F owner) and splashes of clean and happy oil, and gave my camchain a prod to check for slack between the sprockets. I expected to feel some of the 5-7mm slack that I set when I installed the manual CCTs. I was surprised to feel that there was no movement at all when I tried to lift it, and I couldn't push down because the guide was covering the top. Is that normal because the guide stops upward movement, or has my chain tension magically increased?

[RickTheHuman]

Here's a quick question for Carl (if you're watching). I pulled off the rear cam cover recently to add a bit of sealant as there was a bit of a weep; I read here that there was no need for sealant, the front head looks good but not so for the back head. So a wee dollop of sealant on the half moon sections was added.

Anyway, while I was in there I admired the lovely shiny cam lobes (no visible wear at 73000km - none at all! I'm a former VF750F owner) and splashes of clean and happy oil, and gave my camchain a prod to check for slack between the sprockets. I expected to feel some of the 5-7mm slack that I set when I installed the manual CCTs. I was surprised to feel that there was no movement at all when I tried to lift it, and I couldn't push down because the guide was covering the top. Is that normal because the guide stops upward movement, or has my chain tension magically increased?

When I carried out the stopper mod last week, I had to remove the guide to properly check tension. It sits in the way a little too much to enable a proper push down on the chain.

[Cadbury64]

Thanks Rick.

I like your avatar picture; is that looking up the Tamar? I've been to Tassie a few times for work and would love to come back there one day for a holiday.

[RickTheHuman]

Thanks Rick.

I like your avatar picture; is that looking up the Tamar? I've been to Tassie a few times for work and would love to come back there one day for a holiday.

Its looking down southern end of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel. I haven't been to NZ yet but it's on the list!

[Cadbury64]

Naah, it's just like Tassie but with fewer Eucalypts and no snakes or wombats.

[VTRDark]

I'm guessing you wasn't on the compression stroke for the cylinder in question then, so the chain is as it's slackest point when you felt it then. Technically the cam covers don't require any dollop to hold the rubber gaskets in place but I find it helps. A bit of sealant here and there, especially the half moon bits and around the plug area.

(:-})