Have you ever replaced the cam chain tensioner

[earthbound14]

Now that spring is here and I'm back on my bike I'm looking at changing my cam chain tensioner.

There is a very slight sound (more of a vibration) that can be felt through the final drive/crank/clutch plate areas of the bike (I feel it in my right heel most, but if you put your hand in any of these places while the bike is moving you can feel it) that shows up noticebly around 15 mph and disapears after about 30mph (the sound goes away when the bike is revved hard). The sound is relatively obvious when the clutch is pulled in and the bike is coasting fairly quickly. I've got 70,000 km on my bike (mostly mine) so I figure the cam chain tensioner is about due. I'm no wiz with these things though so I figured I'd run it past you guys and see if this fits.

I'm wondering about the sounds a bike would make if it needed to be replaced, how much it usually costs and how easy it is to do.

[amorti]

sounds more like out of balance carbs to me.

CCTs don't need replacing until you start hearing a rattly noise from the engine's top end. Are they even listed with a service life, or do you just change them when they give out? On my Blade (be surprised if the CB4 has a much different design of tensioner) you can remove the top cap, spray a load of WD40 in, twist the adjuster screw all the way in a few times to allow the WD40 to work, and that is your tensioner at least temporarily fixed. They don't so much break, as stop working properly, largely due to gunky oil collecting in them.

[earthbound14]

Would carbs still be able to make noise or rattle if you shut the bike off and coasted?

[houdini]

i have to replace my camchain and tensioner at it costs a ball of money so make sure it's that before you go ahead

[amorti]

Would carbs still be able to make noise or rattle if you shut the bike off and coasted?

Why would you think the problem was the engine, if it still makes the noise with the engine off? Sounds like you simply need a new drive chain. Either that or rear wheel or maybe sprocket carrier bearings. Leave the CCT alone.

If you don't know what you're doing then get someone who is more knowledgeable to have a look. Stop guessing, and stop changing the description of the symptoms, it makes internet diagnosis even harder.

[earthbound14]

Sorry amorti,

I don't live in the UK. I'm in Korea at the moment and my mechanic doesn't speak English. Mechanics here are not very bright either so I'm kinda on my own. I have some pretty interesting stories to tell about poor mechanics here.

It's not the engine, sorry if my description confused you. It's a moving part that is always moving when the bike is moving, not the chain or front sprocket (these have been checked). I just wanted to know if it was possible for the CCT to make this type of noise or vibration. If you have knowledge of other parts that might make the same noise please share, then I can look it up online or run it past other friends who ride.

Thanks for the help

[meno]

whats yer brake pads like?

[amorti]

The camchain turns only when the engine is running. Do you even know what it is?

Again (and I won't come into this thread again) the problem is your drive chain, your rear wheel bearings, or maybe your sprocket bearing. At a very outside, your rear brake, but it is far from likely.

You say your mechanic is bad? Why do you trust his diagnosis of your drive chain? Find an experienced rider to diagnose for you. Most older riders will find time to pass on spannering skills to interested younger riders. It's karma, we all were young and needed to learn, so when we get older and have more knowledge and more time, we are happy to teach.

[ian]

I've slackened my cct to remove the cams, but don't intend to replace it

Can anyone tell me about the tool needed to wind in / out tension?

Is it just a large screwdriver head?

And is there a key or trigger to hold back the tension as you refit it? (assumming you fit it, and then release the tension)

Any pointers would be most welcome

thanks

Ian

[earthbound14]

Amorti, Thanks!!!

It was only the final drive chain...that's it, no bearings, no brakes, no cam chains...just an old shitty chain.

At first I could only feel a vibration coming from the transmission. It would start at about 40km/h and disappear around 60km/h. So I thought it was th cam chain. Then I noticed it would still vibrate when I pulled in the clutch, thought it might be something in the transmission that would still be rolling (connected to the front sprocket) or that possible the cams still moved while the bike was in motion (I know, stupid rookie thought). Anyway, I finally got it sorted out by turning the bike off while in motion and coasting in neutrel at about 40km/h. I couldn't hear the sound over the engine, but now it was clearly coming from the rear end and not from the transmission (the vibration from the chain was just being transmitted through the transmission to my feet). I went into the mechanic with this new info and had ther rear end inspected. Chain only. Too much rain during the monsoon and not enough oil....stupid me....

The last time my chain went it just sounded like it was loose and I couldn't tighten the chain to make it go away, this time it started as a vibration that I could feel in my feet. Another lesson learned.