cam chain tensioner woes

[branson]

I know the manual says the cam chain tensioner needs no maintainence but I cannot fathom how a spring won't loose some tension in 33 years. My cam chain jumped two teeth again I've already fought this thing once. Bought a used setup (can't find new) and I'm in the same mess again. Is there any way to either buy a new one or manually tweek my existing one to aquire enough tension to keep my bike timed and safe? Jumping two teeth on the freeway makes one a lil less chipper.

 

[xschris]

Have you replaced the chain yet? It could be stretched out causing your issue.

 

[branson]

Not yet. I was rather hoping to not have to do a 80% rebuild again. There's gotta be a better way. All my old hondas still have factory chains and twice the mileage. They're also 10 years older. I thought chain auto-tensioners existed to eat up the chain stretch.

 

[drewpy]

you can get soft link cam chains as I had one fitted when I first got my bike.

 

[branson]

What is a soft link cam chain?

 

[branson]

Is it like using a torch to remove the temper from a pin so I could hammer it rivet style and not need a clip?

 

[drewpy]

no, they have a specially manufactured link where you can use a riveting machine.

I think most aftermarket cam chains have them in the box if you want to go down that route.
http://www.wemoto.com/parts/chain_cam_link

 

[CrazyCabbie]

So I guess swapping another timing chain in with a master link would be bad?

 

[branson]

Well that's rather interesting . Is there any way to gtest my tensioner other than looking to see if all the peices are there?

 

[drewpy]

just got to be done properly, that's all.

you need to know what you re doing

 

[branson]

How much unstensioned cam chain free play / slack should a sohc have?

 

[drewpy]

there's no specs in the Yamaha service manual.

 

[branson]

I couldn't find any. Right now its too tight to put on if I took enough off to shorten mine by two links and I have to un-bolt the sprocket from the camshaft to get the chain on before I rebolt the sprecket . I figured that was about right but there is a bit of slack when its all put back without the tensioners and guide I did find I broke my tensioner arm right at the bend so I get to replace that again. At least this time I had one (the previous owner didn't put any tensioner or guide in the bike so I got to fix that).

 

[Bizzy13]

I had that problem on my old KZ. I replaced the tensioner spring and problem was solved.