removing/replacing the cam chain tensioner.

Scott221 · Post by **Scott221** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 5:30 am

Ok, so when trying to get my blasted clutch cable out, I undid that bolt in the middle of the three (cam chain tensioner?) It looked like a long spring. What do I need to do to reset it?

Post by **masterofinsanity** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 9:23 am

do you have a small hole in your tensioner scott? compress the tensioner and put a small bit of wire through the hole to hold it compressed reinstall then pull the wire out and tighten it up.

Post by **cargo** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 9:51 am

Given that he removed the bolt in the middle I'd guess that it's the later version of the camchain tensioner........................therefore.............

You need to unbolt the entire tensioner body it's held in place by 2 M6 screws this will also remove the clutch cable bracket don't forget it on refitting another bit of the tensioner will probable fall out as well so you will also need to take off the ignition pick up/rotor cover in order to repostion it correctly on rebuilding.

Now compress the tensioner back to it's least extended.................. and refit it don't forget about the bit that reachs up to attach to the tensioner blade.
Use some threadlock on the tensioner body screws and tighten them to the correct torque setting.......................OK so far ?

Now you need to refit the springs.................yes there are two of them one inside the other..................use the centre bolt to compress against the springs and tighten it into the tensioner body once again tighten it to the correct torque don't forget the sealing washer.....................now use a 19mm socket to turn the engine over and you will hear the clicking of the tensioner ratchet taking up the slack in the cam chain..................

If at any stage you ever undo any of the tensioner bolts ot matter what the reason you need to reset it from scratch................otherwise ................ BANG...................... very broken engine.

If I had a pound for evey time somebody messed with cam chain tensioners without good reason I'd be very very rich..................

Scott221 · Post by **Scott221** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 10:14 am

cargo wrote: If I had a pound for evey time somebody messed with cam chain tensioners without good reason I'd be very very rich..................

Thanks for that, I'll go get started in a bit. Yeah, my amatuer knowledge of the bikes components are to blame for this one. It was an "ooohh what does that bolt do" Moment.

Post by **cargo** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 10:20 am

Don't think I'm being horrid .......................................just frustrated.................I could make a great business out of ZXR400 if all you guys lived near.

Scott221 · Post by **Scott221** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 10:28 pm

Ok, so just to make sure, all I did was remove the hex bolt in the middle, didnt touch the 2 allen key bolts and didn't take out the tensioner, just that black hex bolt with the spring thing on it, no teeth, holes or anything on it, just a spring.

Post by **cargo** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 11:45 am

Given what you've said you could maybe just refit the springs and bolt.................assuming that you have not turned the engine over and that you did NOT remove the tensioner body bolts/screws.

If it as me and it was one of my race bikes I'd reset it from scratch but in therory and thinking about it you should be ok just to refit the springs and bolt..............................

Any thoughts on this Zimm ?

Scott221 · Post by **Scott221** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 11:48 am

I was speaking to a mate of mine who has a zxr and is an old member (northern_andy). He knows his stuff and said the same as what you've just said. The engine wasn't turned over as the loom was in bits.

Post by **zimm** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 12:02 pm

cargo wrote:Given what you've said you could maybe just refit the springs and bolt.................assuming that you have not turned the engine over and that you did NOT remove the tensioner body bolts/screws.

If it as me and it was one of my race bikes I'd reset it from scratch but in therory and thinking about it you should be ok just to refit the springs and bolt..............................

Any thoughts on this Zimm ?

i havent played with the late model tensioner.. but +1 on all points.

Scott221 · Post by **Scott221** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 9:16 pm

Ok... Just to tripple check!

The centre bolt (black one) is the only one I removed.

Post by **cargo** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 9:46 pm

yep that is the tensioner

BTW.................lovely clean looking engine

Scott221 · Post by **Scott221** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 9:48 pm

So i've got to do all of the above? :ffs

Post by **cargo** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 9:52 pm

yeah go with my last post just refit the bolt and springs......................should be ok given that you did NOT turn the engine over

Scott221 · Post by **Scott221** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 9:54 pm

The only way the engine has moved in the last 3 months is from my old frame into the new one. I have re-inserted the bolt and tightend it back up, sure it will be ok? Is there no check to make sure?

RedexRobB · Post by **RedexRobB** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 9:56 pm

cargo wrote:BTW.................lovely clean looking engine

Missed a few bits tho

Although not shiney, it is clean my engine

http://www.bikepics.com/pictures/1081771/

www.zxrworld.co.uk