CamShaft Chain Tensioner

[Blueraven]

Hello all again.

I was riding the bike to night and cracked open the throttle hard. I noticed that when I did that, there was a slapping type of noise that came from the engine for a very short period of time but enough fr me to notice. I don't know why I thought this but the cam chain tensioner came to mind.

How do I know if it needs adjustment or replacement. I have the service manual and looking on page 4-14, when you install a new tensioner, you loosen the nut A. Is this self adjusting or do I undo the screw and then re-tighten it to adjust it?

[coacha]

If you go to Gadgets page, he has a write up there on how to check your extenders to see how much you still have available. There are a ton of write ups on here from guys that have done them too. If you do have to tackle the job, don't be afraid of it. I did mine with help from MikeInFLA and we got it done in about 1 1/2 hours.

A lot of it will depend on how many miles and how hard you ride from what I'm told. I changed mine out around 60K.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

The tensioners are self adjusting. Once they are out of space that is when you need to replace the tensioners. You will only know by opening it up and looking to see if there are any notches left. If not they will have to be replaced. If they aren't replaced then your spark plug tubes will end up being cut. You don't want that to happen.

I didn't see where you said how much mileage you have on the Nomad. If you have over 30,000 and the extenders have not been added prior I would say it is time.

[redjay]

The tensioners are self adjusting, until they run out of adjustment. The nut A you are talking about releases the spring that is purposely trapped so you can assemble the tensioner before installing it into the cylinder. Once the tensioner is installed releasing and then tightening nut A "primes" the mechanism and releases the tensioner onto the cam chain slipper. I just did mne with 60,000 kms on the clock. The rear one was out of adjustment and the front one had 3 teeth of adjustment left.

[ringadingh]

Better check it to make sure, perhaps you heard the chain rubbing on the spark plug tube.

[Blueraven]

With only one week before the MV trip, I would like to check it but feel that time is running out if there is a problem. I am really no sure how to do it even after reading the Gagets thread. If someone in the Golden Horseshoe area would like to help, I would be more than willing to drive there to get the help. Otherwise, I will have to wait until after MV to look at it.

Oh, as well, the bike has 30,000 km on it.

[cnc]

I have not had to do mine yet, so I have not looked into this that much. If I am not mistaken, I would think the easiest way to check if you are developing a problem is to unscrew the spark plug tubes and look for wear marks on them.

[ringadingh]

Rhys; with 30k on it I highly doubt you require them, I had about 90k when I replaced mine. Like Norm mentioned you can unscrew a spark plug tube and check for any marks on it. Thats the easiest way,and it only takes a minute to do.
Nomads have a noisey clattery engine to start with, some days they seem quieter than others. Its just the nature of the beast.

[Blueraven]

Well, that makes me feel better. I will address this after MV. Thanks for your help.

[rewindgy]

42,000 km's rear one at last click, front one at 2 click's. Changed them out. You only heard a noise when really hot ( not that it gets hot in Alberta anymore!).

[medicaldawg]

changed mine last week. 75k on mine. Rear out of adjustment but no oil in plug sleeve. Front out of adjustment oil had ben leaking from there for two years ??? i know i know. A nice size slot had been cut. I to had the rattle you speak of. Not sure if its gone ive yet to test ride but will let you know next week.

[mikeyger]

If you pull the rear one and measure like gadgets suggest it only takes about 15 minutes!