CCT tension help please

[martynh]

Hi Guys,
Just had my faulty auto CCTs replaced with manual ones. I`m concerned that the front one is still noisey. The mechanic assured me that he had set them up properly, but the noise wasn't there before the failure of the auto CCT. Did 100+ miles this Sunday, but the noise was persistent.
I`m hoping that I could (and please say I can!!) just adjust the tension with the tank and air box removed. But I dont know if I need to slacken or tighten the chain. Obviously I dont want any more expense (cost £350 so far for the work done) but don't want to fr1g anything else.
Bike is running fine other that this bloody annoying rattle. Why did Honda curse us with the letters C.C and T!!
There seems to be a 1/4 turn of the bolt rule for these before big doo-doo can happen. Thanks in advance.

[AMCQ46]

where are you based? perhaps a local owner can help?

if you are confident you can adjust them when running. you undo locknut and back the adjuster out till it rattles, then go back in till it is just stopped rattling [no more than 1/4 turn].

2 things to take care of:
1) make sure you put loctite on teh main adjuster bolt so it wont vibrate loose, the locknut alone will not stop this.
2) if overtightened you will notice the engine cranks over slower and / or makes a screach noise when starting. if you have this then back it off before riding.


what ever you do dont slacken the adjuster bolt out to add the loctite without ensuring you are at TDC on the firing stroke for that cylinder or the chain will jump a few teeth on teh cam sprockets

[AMCQ46]

if you have Manuals fitted and you can confirm that the adjuster is not backing out due to vibration [ie the locknut is tight, or you put a pen mark on the thread and see it hasnt moved], then there is no risk riding it with the rattle noise till you get it sorted

[VTRDark]

without the engine running, you could just loosen the lock nut and tighten the tensioner a 1/4 turn in, lock it off and see if this improves things. But you will never know what the exact tension is without removing the cam cover.

If you attempt adjusting it with the engine running, be careful and always keep a grip on the spanner. As the lock nut is undone the force of the engine spinning over could possibly send the threaded part of the tensioner into a spin and unwind itself this is more so if the threaded part was not sealed when installing and the thread is not a tight fit.

(:-})

[martynh]

Thanks everyone.
All seems fairly positive and do-able. Dont think the mechanic was really up on the CCT thing, especially on a V twin. So are way saying the chain is under tensioned and it needs to be tighter (by the 1/4 turn? or so). Just to be sure before I dive in....again.

[AMCQ46]

Thanks everyone.
All seems fairly positive and do-able. Dont think the mechanic was really up on the CCT thing, especially on a V twin. So are way saying the chain is under tensioned and it needs to be tighter (by the 1/4 turn? or so). Just to be sure before I dive in....again.

yes
Rattle=loose
sreech noise = tight

[Wicky]

So are way saying the chain is under tensioned and it needs to be tighter (by the 1/4 turn? or so

Have you read the procedure in the workshop knowledgebase? - as you'll need to repeat it to correctly set the tension if you have doubts the mechanic has performed the job incorrectly.

[tony.mon]

You always get a little extra noise with Manuals, especially at startup.
Try adjusting each one one flat tighter (clockwise looking down form the outside end towards the engine) and listen. Do this when it's running, and you'll hear the difference. Ideally adjust no more than one flat.

[VTRDark]

Well if it's rattling bad then yes it could be under tensioned. But a slight noise with a cold engine is normal and this should disappear as the engine heats up and things expand. A 1/4 turn may not be enough but best to take small steps at a time. An over-tight cam chain is worse for the engine than one that is a little loose. I would keep going until there s no rattle at all, then back it off a 1/4 turn.

But..... are you sure that it's the cam chain that is rattling and not anything else. It could be a bit of valve noise it the cams are off a tooth or two on the cam sprockets. I don't want to scare you or anything, but to be honest I would not trust anyone else's work and would want to check for myself to make sure that everything is correct. I would take the cam cover off for the sake of peace of mind and check the cam sprocket alignment marks and then set the tension on the CCT spot on.

The thing is we can't say for definitely yes your cam chain is under tensioned as we have not heard it and all we have to go on is by what you say.

Have read through the MCCT thread in my signature and consider whether or not it's worth you investigating further. After all this is a vital part of the smooth running of your engine and if done incorrectly then the consequences can be bad.

Where are you based, maybe someone local on here could lend a hand or at least have a listen to see if there is anything abnormal.

Oh well I see there are posts above mine now but I will post this anyway.

(:-})

[martynh]

I was assured by the mechanic that there was no issues with bent valves etc, and he was happy to hand the bike over.
I think for now I`ll take the soft option and just try to adjust the tensioner (carefully!!) and see what effect that has. I`ll keep you all posted with any progress. Thanks for the input.