Camchain Tensioner Scary Stories

[Image]

Hearing a lot of scary stories in the biking world about the storms camchain adjuster going wrong including the story of one guy who's camchain broke and took out all his valves. Would it be wise of me or paranoid to fit a new camchain adjuster just to be sure? What are the signs and sounds of a bad camchain adjuster?

[Rob]

Really?

After over a year and nearly 500 posts have you never noticed Cam Chain Tensioners (CCT's) being mentioned here before?

Unfortunatley it's not just a scary story, it's true. CCT's do fail a lot more often than they should, resulting usually in bent valves on the front cylinder.

You can either replace them with manuals (fixed) or modify the originals so that if they fail there won't be any other damage.

Both have advantages/disadvantages and you can research that yourself by searching through the forum. Or maybe someone will be kind enough to explain it all to you

[darkember]

Dont just change them for new OEM ones do the full modification & then your mind will be at peace. You have 2 choices:

1: Do the stopper mod on your present ones. Bazza is the chap to speak to on that subject he builds them & will ship them to you. You will need to return yours so he can build the next set.
2: Fit API manuals

Check the knowledge base all all the info & ask as many questions as you want

[Image]

Yep, of course I've noticed the cct posts but this latest story was from a guy at work who's mate had it happen very recently and I guess it brought it home to me more. I used to have a GPZ900R and they're similar but very easy to rectify.
Both options above look good. Which is easiest and which is best?
How do I check it's not already been done by a previous owner?
Are there any warning signs before the cct goes awol (the GPZ900R's whirl and rattle when they're due to go).

[benny hedges]

Dont just change them for new OEM ones

buy an sp = no camchains

[Image]

Tried an SP. Too cramped for my lanky body. Took me 2 days to straighten up again.

[Rob]

You can check if manuals are fitted by looking at the rear one.

In theory you could check if the stopper mod has been done by using a CCT key to see if you can twist (retract) the plunger but if it hasn't been done and you twist it too far then the chain could skip teeth. I would assume it hasn't been done.

Apparently when it goes you can distinctly hear the cam chain rattling, but by then the damage will probably already have been done.

As to what's best, personal preference really.

Stopper Mod

You insert a piece of 8mm bar into the CCT so that if the spring snaps the plunger can't move back far enough for the chain to skip so no damage is done.

Advantages

Cheap - just time + some 8mm diameter bar.

Disadvantages

The CCT can still fail and you will need to replace it, although no engine damage will occur.

Manual CCT's

Advantages

Can't fail as they are solid and will never need replacing.

Disadvantages

You need to tension them yourself.
They will need very infrequent adjustment.

[Diabolus]

thread jack, I do like your cans rob got any better pics

[AMCQ46]

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Just do it, do it now!

[Rob]

thread jack, I do like your cans rob got any better pics

No.

But I can take some if you want - any particular view?

Or you can just look on the Two Brothers site but you wont see them on a bike....

*Edit

If you were just looking at my avatar then there are these I posted on another thread.

[leevtr]

Stopper Mod...easy, nick his Lamberetta !!

[scott02464]

That's a lot of stopper mods ha!

I can't believe how many people that haven't bothered to look up the potential faults on their bikes then come running for help when all goes wrong.... :-(

[Rob]

That's a lot of stopper mods ha!

I can't believe how many people that haven't bothered to look up the potential faults on their bikes then come running for help when all goes wrong.... :-(

This is a Honda, not an old British bike. I bought mine new happy that it had Honda's build quality and reliability.

[VTRDark]

camchain broke

That would be extremely rare. It would take a hell of a lot for the camchain itself to break. In fact I would go as far too say it would have to be a faulty chain from manufacturing. or has been abused somehow. Camchains can last 100,000 without snapping easily. They do stretch and wear over time but they don't break.

(:-})

[VTRDark]

I would suggest the stopper mod as well, as I can imagine the grief you would have setting up manuals properly. And it don't cost anything apart from your time.

(:-})