400/4 Cam Chain tensioner.

[ComfySofa]

Having a clear up since the rebuild. While the motor was apart i changed the CamChain tensioner for one of those billet alloy ones. Apparently the OEM ones are still worth something. If anyone is interested in mine...30 quid delivered. Its hardly done any miles... (6200) so apparently Bryan tells me theres loads of life left in it yet!

[Bryanj]

I can confirm it was like new when i built the engine

[SteveW]

Are there alloy ones available for other models?

Just in the process of stripping down my 550, haven’t closely examined my tensioner yet but I know replacements from DS are £££.

[Bryanj]

Nope, only the 400 horseshoe(does fit the 250/360 G5 i think). As an aside the 500/550 main part is very robust unless messed with

[SteveW]

Thanks Bryan, I’ll check the condition of mine tomorrow.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I too looked at the not inexpensive alloy type tensioner when rebuilding my 400. It appears that the original type just seizes up through lack of being moved/adjusted during servicing. Mine freed off quite easily so I did not replace it.

Not convinced that for all the difference in construction  the pivot would not still gum up over time. Be interesting to read/see the evidence of how the alloy design stands up over time.

That said it does look a nicely engineered part.
 

[Bryanj]

Ted, i think it was more that Honda discontinued the original steel one which gets battered by the camchain if left loose and that burred the pivot pins, siezing it solid

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Ted, i think it was more that Honda discontinued the original steel one which gets battered by the camchain if left loose and that burred the pivot pins, siezing it solid

Will an alloy horseshoe stand up any better to such battering as the steel original Bryan or is it just a case of there is now no alternative?

[Bryanj]

It was developed by TTR400 on this forum who does lots of 400 goodies so i would hope so but also yes its the only one

[Nurse Julie]

As Bryan says, Kevin, TTR400 designed and manufactures them. Kevin rides all around the world on his 400/4, covering thousands of miles, so the product is well tried and tested. I know Kevin sells his products via David Silver and 4 into 1 in USA so I bet there is a huge number of his cam horseshoes in use around the world.

[K2-K6]

I too looked at the not inexpensive alloy type tensioner when rebuilding my 400. It appears that the original type just seizes up through lack of being moved/adjusted during servicing. Mine freed off quite easily so I did not replace it.

Not convinced that for all the difference in construction  the pivot would not still gum up over time. Be interesting to read/see the evidence of how the alloy design stands up over time.

That said it does look a nicely engineered part.
 

I believe its likely victim of oil from that period getting quite sticky, tar like when subjected to high heat range that's present. It's seen in the twins too from crankshaft oil ways clogged with carbonised oil centrifuged into it's nooks and crannies.

Oils are all, I believe, better currently. But one area that synthetic easily outperforms traditional blends.