Author Topic: Camchain tension  (Read 747 times)

Offline Safo

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Camchain tension
« on: April 24, 2020, 02:57:53 PM »
Didnt see tensioner bolt move, or hear anything when I loosened the locknut, am I right in thinking I I can repeat the process to if I undo the locknut, then pull the bolt and retighten the nut, rebuilt the motor its been a long rebuild with many obstacles.
« Last Edit: May 31, 2020, 09:53:29 AM by SteveD CB500K0 »

Offline Nurse Julie

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Re: Camchain tensin
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2020, 03:06:17 PM »
Was the horse shoe pivot nice and free and loose when you re fitted it to the engine?
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Offline AshimotoK0

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Re: Camchain tensin
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2020, 03:25:29 PM »
Is this a 500/or 550 engine? .. do you mean 400 Julie? Or do you mean another bit like horse shoe?
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Offline Nurse Julie

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Re: Camchain tensin
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2020, 03:57:57 PM »
Is this a 500/or 550 engine? .. do you mean 400 Julie? Or do you mean another bit like horse shoe?
Yep, I was thinking 400 Ash (even though it's posted under 500/550 🙄🙄🙄🙄). As soon as I see mention of cam chain adjustment my head goes straight in to 400/4 mode 😊😊😊😊
« Last Edit: April 24, 2020, 04:36:40 PM by Nurse Julie »
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Offline Bryanj

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Re: Camchain tensin
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2020, 04:07:25 PM »
Pulling the bolt or even worse putting a screwdriver in the slot can damage the tensioner mechanism so much its almosr junk.

Offline AshimotoK0

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Re: Camchain tensin
« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2020, 04:18:45 PM »
Julie.. I can't understand why the camchain tensioner  designs  on the 750,  500/550 and 350/400/4 were totally different arrangements.  You would have thought they would have stuck to one design. The 750 is very similar to the CB250/350K design. Not sure which was the most successful. 500 at a guess but Trig will know.
« Last Edit: April 24, 2020, 04:56:13 PM by AshimotoK0 »
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Offline Johnwebley

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Re: Camchain tensin
« Reply #6 on: April 24, 2020, 04:21:54 PM »
I read somewhere that if you turned the screw. It took the bend out of the blade..

Is it true?

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Offline Nurse Julie

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Re: Camchain tensin
« Reply #7 on: April 24, 2020, 04:36:10 PM »
Julie.. I can't understand why the camchain tensioner on the 750,  500/550 and 350/400/4 was totally different arrangements.  You would have thought they would have stuck to one design. .The 750 is very similar to the CB250/350K design. Not sure which was the most successful. 500 at a guess but Trig will know.
Well it certainly wasn't the 400/4 Ash that was the most successful, that's for sure 😁😁😁😁. I never hear anyone having issues with 500/550/750 tensioners so that is why my head automatically only thinks of 400/4 and as a second thought it would be 350/4's 😊😊😊
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Offline Safo

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Re: Camchain tensin
« Reply #8 on: April 24, 2020, 04:51:16 PM »
Thanks for the advice folks, confession time, I did give the bolt a couple of light taps with a screw driver handle, only light taps.
I've been turning her over to set the tappets, I suppose all I can do is retry tensioning before starting and hope for the best, forgot to mention,new camchain fitted when I had the cases split

Offline deltarider

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Re: Camchain tensin
« Reply #9 on: April 24, 2020, 08:20:41 PM »
Not sure which was the most successful. 500 at a guess...
Many bikes of that era had troublesome camchain tensioner designs.
CB500/550 owners are advised to have a look at this video shot by René van Maanen of Honda4.nl. It gives you an idea how the tensioner works and why you will not even see the bolt turn when you loosen the locknut to let it adjust. It will move just a fraction. Also do not expect a wonderful humming engine after adjustment. You will always hear the camchain.
Mind you, the vid does NOT show how to do the adjustment, it only demonstrates what goes on.To adjust, either do it by the book or like Bryan.
I do NOT recommend to do it with a running engine like Honda's Owner's Manual CB500K3-CB550K3 suggests.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qJc6e5pa8M
Courtesy Renë van Maanen - Honda4.nl
« Last Edit: April 24, 2020, 08:34:05 PM by deltarider »

Offline keithtraffic

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Re: Camchain tensin
« Reply #10 on: May 30, 2020, 08:10:19 PM »
Is it really the case that all you do is undo the lock nut then do it up again - Noting seems to happen when I do that but perhaps in practice there will ne nothing to see?

Offline Bryanj

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Re: Camchain tensin
« Reply #11 on: May 31, 2020, 09:04:01 AM »
There is nothing to see but idealy you need all the "slack" in the rear run of chain which is why i say put tension on the kickstart so you feel the engine is just about to turn and hold it there whilst doing up the locknut.

Did one yesterday that is a superb looking bike but has been done by someone not too well up on Hondas at a guess as when the locknut was done up the bolt was still loose as either the tensioner mech is slightly bent or the washer is too thin, as it tightened properly with an extra washer im fairly certain its OK till the head needs to come off for another reason, and as its gone quiet(er) i am certain the gear on the bolt has not jumped or bent the rack on the adjuster mechanism which is what happens if you force that bolt

 

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