The_big_dill
October 21st, 2013, 04:50 PM
Hi all,
First off i would like to thank N4MWD and Motofool for the continued assistance on this forum, I really found your continued help appreciated, you guys rock!
I wanted to post this thread to give feedback as well as my discoveries in dealing with a loose cam chain.
Diagnosing:
- Clicking/tapping/ticking at the rate of the bike revolutions at the head of the engine, on the outside of cylinder #2.
- Clicking/tapping/ticking becomes louder as engine warms up.
- Valve adjustment to spec does not eliminate the noise.
This is what a loose cam chain looks like:
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=27270&stc=1&d=1382399628
Solution:
Replace what is not allowing the chain to hold tension:
- Stretched Cam chain ---> replace chain
- Worn guides ---> replace guides
- Seized/rough motion of CCT ---> clean/lube CCT as well as leverage mechanism OR replace CCT if damaged.
Remedy:
In my situation, it appeared to be a stretched Cam chain, replacing required a full rebuild, i did discover a temporary remedy to keep the bike running for the remainder of the season. Although this may not work for you, it is worth a try.
When i adjusted my valves, i set it to the outer clearance specs from the service manual. This resulted in a louder slapping sound, meaning a more loose chain. I then re-adjusted the valves to the lower spec and the sound dumbed down and now i don't cringe my teeth every time i ride. :)
My thought process leads me to understand that when you have a tighter clearance, the cam lobes contact the rockers more "often" or press harder ultimately creating more tension in the chain and that fractional clearance makes a big difference.
Nevertheless, replacing whatever is not going well should be done eventually. If a loose chain is left unattended for too long, chances of the chain slipping a tooth and offsetting your timing increases, this is detrimental to the engine and will most likely break many critical components of its operation.
Cheers!
First off i would like to thank N4MWD and Motofool for the continued assistance on this forum, I really found your continued help appreciated, you guys rock!
I wanted to post this thread to give feedback as well as my discoveries in dealing with a loose cam chain.
Diagnosing:
- Clicking/tapping/ticking at the rate of the bike revolutions at the head of the engine, on the outside of cylinder #2.
- Clicking/tapping/ticking becomes louder as engine warms up.
- Valve adjustment to spec does not eliminate the noise.
This is what a loose cam chain looks like:
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=27270&stc=1&d=1382399628
Solution:
Replace what is not allowing the chain to hold tension:
- Stretched Cam chain ---> replace chain
- Worn guides ---> replace guides
- Seized/rough motion of CCT ---> clean/lube CCT as well as leverage mechanism OR replace CCT if damaged.
Remedy:
In my situation, it appeared to be a stretched Cam chain, replacing required a full rebuild, i did discover a temporary remedy to keep the bike running for the remainder of the season. Although this may not work for you, it is worth a try.
When i adjusted my valves, i set it to the outer clearance specs from the service manual. This resulted in a louder slapping sound, meaning a more loose chain. I then re-adjusted the valves to the lower spec and the sound dumbed down and now i don't cringe my teeth every time i ride. :)
My thought process leads me to understand that when you have a tighter clearance, the cam lobes contact the rockers more "often" or press harder ultimately creating more tension in the chain and that fractional clearance makes a big difference.
Nevertheless, replacing whatever is not going well should be done eventually. If a loose chain is left unattended for too long, chances of the chain slipping a tooth and offsetting your timing increases, this is detrimental to the engine and will most likely break many critical components of its operation.
Cheers!