Cam chain

[taurus66]

Can the cam chain on these carb type engines be replaced  a) with the engine in the frame, b) without stripping the head off the barrels or c) the whole engine has to be removed and stripped and basically rebuilt just to replace the cam chain?

[Dead Eye]

There's several threads on this that can be found using the search. In answer to your question; the cam chain can be replaced with engine in place and without removing the head... but access is a b!tch and its quite fiddly so whatever you do, don't drop anything in to the engine  :eek

[Deefer666]

I have done a few now and always remove the engine and split it to fit an endless cam chain as I don't fully trust the soft links on the split ones, I am sure someone will be along soon to shout me down but that's the way I have always done it on mine and customers bikes..... Of course it does help if you have a fully equipped workshop 

[Robbus]

I have done a few now and always remove the engine and split it to fit an endless cam chain as I don't fully trust the soft links on the split ones, I am sure someone will be along soon to shout me down but that's the way I have always done it on mine and customers bikes..... Of course it does help if you have a fully equipped workshop 

Where are you and how much do you charge to fit a new chain and tensioner? I know I shouldn't need it as the bikes only got 16k or so on it but it doesn't half make some odd noises at low speed/revs. Thinking better safe than sorry!


Cheers,
Rob

[Buzz]

16K is pretty low for a replacement.  Mine's just hit 40k and still no sewing machine chatter, you sure it's the cam chain?

[Robbus]

16K is pretty low for a replacement.  Mine's just hit 40k and still no sewing machine chatter, you sure it's the cam chain?

Nope

[Ebme Geek]

Mine was at over 60k when I did mine, I would be surprised if it needed a new chain, also mine was noisey at all revs not just low ones. Might sound silly but have you checked that none of the exhaust pipes are leaking ?

If it is chain related you might just need to reset the tensioner.

For info, I did mine in the frame, head stayed on and I used a split chain and riveted a link together .....

http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,6858.0.html

[Yamazer-92]

Mine has a strange sewing machine chatter for the first few miles of riding that is especially noticeable at low revs like turning into a junction going down a steep hill in 2nd at about 2k rpm with the clutch not pulled in. Once the bike has warmed up properly it goes entirely or is very very hard to notice. I asked a couple of different mechanics to listen and both said it is most likely leaking exhaust. I still have the original pipes on and they are badly leaking, I've tried to plug most big holes with gun gum but I guess there is gas leaking from smaller holes somewhere. I plan on getting stainless soon so hopefully that will sort it. May be worth a look at your exhaust if it's the original, check directly under the engine there's a small plate between exhaust 2 and 3 near where they all join in to one at the back, mine had loads of holes there.

[Deefer666]

Where are you and how much do you charge to fit a new chain and tensioner? I know I shouldn't need it as the bikes only got 16k or so on it but it doesn't half make some odd noises at low speed/revs. Thinking better safe than sorry!

I am in Cambs where the A1 meets the A14... Last time I did the job it was about £350 all in. But 16k is very low to be needing a cam chain unless you have a sticky tensioner

[Robbus]

Where are you and how much do you charge to fit a new chain and tensioner? I know I shouldn't need it as the bikes only got 16k or so on it but it doesn't half make some odd noises at low speed/revs. Thinking better safe than sorry!

I am in Cambs where the A1 meets the A14... Last time I did the job it was about £350 all in. But 16k is very low to be needing a cam chain unless you have a sticky tensioner

Rats, pretty much where I used to live 5 years ago, and not too far off from where I was 4 months ago. Not too convenient for East Yorkshire now though


It could just be a stick tensioner, can't say I get a sewing machiney type sound though, it's naturally not easy to describe but if I'm riding slow in first and drop the revs to idle then pick them up again I usually get a weird graunchy sort of sound, which to me sounds and feels like a chain going lose, flapping a bit, then tightening up. Or in other words I need someone with a clue to check it out


Don't think it's the exhaust, it's got a full Motad system that's only a year or so old.


Apologies for the thread hijack.


Cheers,
Rob

[Deefer666]

Rats, pretty much where I used to live 5 years ago, and not too far off from where I was 4 months ago. Not too convenient for East Yorkshire now though

PE28 0QD

[Robbus]

Rats, pretty much where I used to live 5 years ago, and not too far off from where I was 4 months ago. Not too convenient for East Yorkshire now though

PE28 0QD

I was up near Ramsey so it would've been a quick blat down the B660 to get to you. I'm now 150miles away, d'oh!

[Gav]

I joined this forum to get helpful info about maintenance jobs on my '00 Fazer with 48kmileage that I picked up for a nice price.  So far I've got 100% satisfaction and support from you guys.  I'm posting in this thread as I also had bad cam chain chatter and immediately did something about it. So posting my experience.  The chatter sound was annoying me to the extent that it was preventing me from enjoying the bike.  So I asked around and humbucker88 kindly got me on the right track and sent me the link details for the correct camchain for my bike : http://www.yamahamotorcyclespares.co.uk/...open?uid=0
I got a tensioner gasket and oil filter wrench at the same time.
Well I've done a cam belt on a rover 216 and 416 before lol so thought bollox it's only nuts n bolts,  and opened up the rocker cover and split the old cam chain. Spark plugs out, Carbs off first of course and tensioner out showed only 3 clicks left on auto tension mechanism.
Cam shafts out.
Linked the new chain to the old and fed it through. I used some spare jeweller's type thin wire tied to the handle bars tohold the ends of the chain up and prevent them from dropping into the engine.

Bought a cam chain riveter from machine mart and went home to round off the new cam chain rivets. 

TDC aligned then cams back in and out, till I fathomed out a method to correctly align everything.  First time I've done this, but im sure next time I could do it in fraction of the time.

Once all buttoned down I pissed my wife off because I was so keen to finish off and get it started, I didn't come out to lay the table for dinner lol

Fired up and the difference was immediate.  No chain chatter at all, just a lovely burble from the exhaust. 

So for those finding this thread on a search for cam chain replacing, like I did..  Just do it it's easy enough as far as mechanical jobs go IMO.  Just cover the spark plug holes and gaps in the engine with rags, while doing it.

Checking the remaining tensioner clicks was the key thing that made me take the plunge and change the chain.  So I'd say check that before anything.

Cheers Gav

[limax2]

Checking the remaining tensioner clicks was the key thing that made me take the plunge and change the chain.  So I'd say check that before anything.

Just to add a bit of info. If you want to check the tensioner clicks, don't forget to release the large nut on the end to release the spring pressure before removing the tensioner body. Otherwise the spring will push the tensioner out as you remove the body. Likewise when putting the tensioner back the large nut is fitted last.

[Gav]

Yep good advice.  Also dont turn the engine over manually once the tensioner is out as the chain can skip a tooth on the crank.  Especially if your wine the crank backwards like I did