Lessons Learned on changing the CCT

This post descibes changing out the CCT (Cam Chain Tensioner) using a method we developed during the recent Bustanut Tech Weekend in Owosso. I edited this post to show the CCT with the motor out of the frame...

DON'T PANIC!! We will not be removing the motor for this procedure.



This is a list of the parts for all generations of the FJR:

1. CCT (updated blue dot) - Tension Assembly, CAM - Yamaha Part# 5JW12210-10-00 (item 6)
   
2. CCT gasket - Gasket, Tensioner CA - 5JW-12213-00-00 (item 7)
   
3. Cam Chain Cover Gasket - Gasket, Oil Pump Cover - 5JW-15456-11-00 (item 30)
   

NOTE - The Gen I have the Oil Pump Cover Gasket listed as 5JW-15456-00-00. The Gen II before 2008 list the part as 5JW-15456-10-00 however all three versions of the FJR (Gen I, Gen II prior 2008 and cureent Gen II) share the same Oil Pump Cover (5JW-15416-00-00). Based on this all three gaskets should be interchangable. It appears the gasket was upgraded the same time that the CCT was.

Here are the tools required to change the Cam Chain Tensioner using the Bustanut Owosso method...



From the top right going clockwise

• 10mm ignition wrench
  
• 8 mm ignition wrench
  
• 8 mm gear ratchet wrench
  
• 8 mm conbination wrench
  
• 10mm gear ratchet wrench
  
• 1/8" x 6" standard screwdriver
  
• Cam Chain Tensioner
  
• gasket
  
• long tweezers - about 4"
  
• some sort of lightsource - I like my Clearwater LED flashlight
  

Missing from the photo is Bustanut's Dremel tool with a cut-off wheel.

Other tools for pulling the cam chain cover and panels

• 5mm Allen Key for cam chain cover
  
• 4mm Allen Key for plastics - not shown
  
• small pick for popping plastic grommet fasteners (beside battery) - not shown
  

Step 1 -

Remove the seats & gas tank.

For Gen II's remove T-Bar & heat shield.

Next remove the dash covers on the righthand side and righthand lower cowling. If you have frame sliders the righthand slider will also have to removed.

Step 2 -

Remove the cam chain cover and place a ty-rap around the cam chain guides. Tighten the ty-rap to hold the cam chain in position for the rest of this procedure.



Also remove the bracket holding the idle speed adjustment screw and move the bracket out of the way.

Looking from the top you will be able to see the CCT between the frame and the throttle bodies...



Step 3 -

Remove the access plug in the frame.

Using a 10mm wrench start removing the bolt that covers the access to CCT adjuster. see photo below.

This nut will not the modified yet so either using the 10mm ignition wrench or your fingers remove the screw.

Photo of CCT with screwdriver inserted into access port - CCT is in the 'extended' position



Insert the screwdriver through the access in the frame and into the CCT. Turn the screwdriver clockwise until you can no longer turn the adjuster in the CCT. Note - very little force required.

The CCT is now locked in the 'retracted' position.



Now for the PITA.

Step 4 -

Using the 8mm combination wrench break free the bolt closest the the throttle bodies.

Using either the 8mm combination wrent or the 8mm ignition wrench (whichever works best for you) break free the bolt closest to the frame.

Using the 8mm ignition wrench and / or fingers work the bolt closest to the frame out of the motor. Once loose use the tweezers to remove.

Using the 8mm gear ratchet wrench remove the bolt closest to the throttle body. I used a screwdriver pressed up against the ratcheting section to stop the wrench from spinning back. Again use the tweezers to remove once the bolt is loose.

Remove the CCT from the motor. There is only enough room to remove the CCT from below the frame.

Take a deep breath and a refreshment break - the hard part is done.

Step 5 - The Genius of the Owosso Way



Using a Dremel tool with a cut-off wheel cut a slot in all three bolts so that the resulting slot will accept the screwdriver.

Step 6 -

The new CCT should have a blue dot. This dot goes to the top also the tab on the gasket goes to the top.

The new CCT has a retainer installed that is holding the CCT in the retracted position. I would suggest that you remove the retainer and using a screwdriver turn the adjuster a few turns counterclockwise until the CCT releases the spring and moves to the extended position. Turn the screwdriver clockwise the retract the CCT to the locked retracted position.

You should note that there is significantly more resistance offered by the new spring in the redesigned CCT.

Some folks now replace the retainer but I find it easier to leave it out. If your new CCT does not lock you will have to reinstall the retainer and then remove the retainer with needle nose pliers after installing the CCT.

Insert the new CCT & gasket from the bottom and place it into the motor opening.

Ensure that the blue dot on the CCT is facing up and the gasket tab is also up.

Step 7 -

Using tweezers to position the bolt start with the bolt closest to the throttle bodies. Using the screwdriver it is possible to angle the screwdriver into the modified bolt and use the screwdriver to spin the bolt in. Leave slightly loose for now.

Repeat the above process for the bolt closest to the frame turning it in as far as possible.

Using the 8mm ignition wrench tighten the bolt closest to the frame. You may need to use the 8mm combination to bring to final torque but these bolts are small so be careful. Breaking a bolt at this point means removing the motor.

Using the 8mm ratchet wrench tighten the bolt closest to the throttle bodies.

See how time saving that all was!!! :yahoo:

Step 8 -

Insert the screwdriver through the frame access and turn the CCT adjuster counterclockwise until the adjuster releases. You will feel the screwdriver spin when this occurs.

Using the screwdriver in the adjuster, exercise the tensioner a few times to confirm that the plunger is in fact hitting the chain guide. Now you can feel more comfortable releasing that ty-wrap (to be done a little later).



Using tweezers to position the screw use the screwdriver to install the CCT access screw cover.

Replace the frame access plug.

Step 9 - almost done!!

Remove the ty-rap from around the cam chain.

After cutting the ty-wrap and before buttoning things up, manually turn the engine through at least two complete crankshaft revolutions (crank turns CW from the right side) while observing the timing chain . If you are going to skip (or have already skipped) a tooth on a sprocket you want to discover that before thumbing the starter button. Obviously do not force it if you feel any obstruction.

Replace cam chain cover.

Replace Idle Speed Adjuster Bracket.

Replace all the tupperware.

You're DONE!!!

You must be hungry by now.

I rewarded myself with a pita from the Pita Deli in Whitby...

https://yamafitter.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/FJR-CCT-Change/food-****/1250810534_bVFmL-L.jpg

Thanks to Fred W & others for a few suggestions on improvements. I have made the upgrades.

Nice write-up Bill...now get yerself a beer to wash down that Pita

Good post Bill, you techno freak!

Thats not a pita thats a burrito!

Good write up and pics. I tried using the old cam chain cover gasket and it leaked. Had to open it up again and replace gasket. YMMV

El Toro Joe said:

Nice write-up Bill...now get yerself a beer to wash down that Pita

Click to expand...

+1, Gunny! Very nice work Bill, have yourself at least two beers!

Wow, now I know how the shop did my cct. Very nice write up!

Great post and procedural with photos.

Is that REALLY the Owosso Way though?

Excellent write-up, Bill. Perhaps we should mention that if you can't find the appropriate ignition wrenches, a decent alternative is a sawed off 8 mm box end for the frame side bolt, from underneath. A short wrench (mine was 2 3/4") will allow a bigger turn swing. A smooth wrench is slippery, so texture it up a bit with a dremel or file so you can hang onto it.

Awesome write up Bill. Had I seen that last fall it might have prevented me from doing this.............. <_<

Good post. Can we call it a Doohicky, though?

fjrrider said:

Thats not a pita thats a burrito!

Click to expand...

He's right. THIS is a pita.

Perfect timing Bill. I'll be changing mine in the next couple weeks with the new and improved *blue dot* version! :clapping:

For us novices on this project though...Couldn't you use a 1/4" drive 8mm socket / swivel and nut driver through the frame access hole, or not enough room? I have used the slotting method before and it does work well. Great idea!

Thanks for the post.

--G

escapefjrtist said:

Perfect timing Bill. I'll be changing mine in the next couple weeks with the new and improved *blue dot* version! :clapping:

For us novices on this project though...Couldn't you use a 1/4" drive 8mm socket / swivel and nut driver through the frame access hole, or not enough room? I have used the slotting method before and it does work well. Great idea!

Thanks for the post.

--G

Click to expand...

Unfortunately the 8mm bolts are very long and there is not enough room between the frame and the CCT to allow the use of a socket. I wish there was so we wouldn't have to mess around so much getting the original bolts out :angry:

wheatonFJR said:

Great post and procedural with photos.

Is that REALLY the Owosso Way though?

Click to expand...

I was in Owosso having nightmares about sheep and manatees being abused when I dreamt up this idea. Therefore Owosso does get some credit for this.

Giving any credit to the designated doofus..... not so much.

mattster31 said:

Awesome write up Bill. Had I seen that last fall it might have prevented me from doing this.............. <_<

Click to expand...

Can I have your coolant pipe? OOPS!! Never mind, it's one of those inferior Gen I's.

fjrrider said:

Good post Bill, you techno freak!

Thats not a pita thats a burrito!

Click to expand...

I doubt Jimmy the Greek who owns the Pita Deli even knows what a burrito is.

Nice write-up and pics! Heavily reduces the intimidation factor for the CCT change. Time to find some 8 mm wrenches.

FJR Flyer said:

Nice write-up and pics! Heavily reduces the intimidation factor for the CCT change. Time to find some 8 mm wrenches.

Click to expand...

My ignition wrenches are Craftsman from Sears and they also have the 8mm & 10mm gear ratchet wrenches. Make sure your screwdriver is no wider than 1/8" or it will not fit inside the CCT.

SacramentoMike said:

Good post. Can we call it a Doohicky, though?

fjrrider said:

Thats not a pita thats a burrito!

Click to expand...

He's right. THIS is a pita.

Click to expand...

Well, SacramentoMike may indeed be a senile old fogey, but Miguel definitely does know the difference between a pita, a PITA and a burrito. +1, Gunny! nuff' said'

yamafitter said:

wheatonFJR said:

Great post and procedural with photos.

Is that REALLY the Owosso Way though?

Click to expand...

I was in Owosso having nightmares about sheep and manatees being abused when I dreamt up this idea. Therefore Owosso does get some credit for this.

Giving any credit to the designated doofus..... not so much.

Click to expand...

SO WRONG! So wrong in so many ways!

Nice job, Bill.

A couple of notes to possibly include in your procedure:

On my new CCT, after I played with it on the workbench to confirm the tension would be increased as compared to the old one, it would not stay latched in the extracted position like the old one would, without re-installing the keeper. I assumed that all the new ones were that way, but it seems yours would. Not a big deal as it was easy to pull out the keeper with some needle-nose pliers after installing the new CCT.

After installing the new CCT, and before cutting the ty-wrap, after releasing the new CCT, put the screwdriver in the adjuster and exercise the tensioner a few times to confirm that the plunger is in fact hitting the chain guide. Now you can feel more comfortable releasing that ty-wrap.

After cutting the ty-wrap and before buttoning things up, manually turn the engine through at least two complete crankshaft revolutions (crank turns CW from the right side) while observing the timing chain . If you are going to skip (or have already skipped) a tooth on a sprocket you want to discover that before thumbing the starter button. Obviously do not force it if you feel any obstruction.

Your post will be a good resource for folks needing to do this. And I would say that anyone that has >30k miles and/or is out of warranty on their FJR that hasn't already done so, needs to do this.