Manual Cam Chain Adjuster

[charismaticmegafauna]

On my DRZE thumper with a manual CCT I will start it ,warm it up , back the tensioner off slightly ,until I hear chain ticking ,and turn back in until noise is gone ,and am good to go for the summer of trail riding. If you don't get carried away on the backing off part, you won't have a problem.

Honestly, this isn't really a big problem if you simply replace the CCT when you start hearing noise.

A couple good posts here (imo) -- listen to your FJR's engine, a noisey cam chain is pretty noticeable (rattle-y 'nuts and bolts in a tin can' noise) on the right side of the engine. Cam chains are usually long-lived -- but, a failure of a component (like the automatic tensioner) can change that. It's a good idea, I think, to listen to your engine (helmet off) from-time-to-time.

Of benefit, here, would be a Forum record of all cam-chain related problems: automatic tensioner failures, out-of-ordinary noises, replacements, etc. and mileages -- with more data, there might be a better handle on when to regularly replace some normal wear items?

Apparently...? MamaYama doesn't specify a mileage/time of service interval (for cam chain & related items)...?

 

[user 213]

FWIW, I don't think anyone has actually identified or verified a worn cam chain. SkooterG may have had one, but IIRC, it was more of a "we're in there, might as well replace it since it's cheap" deal.

 

[RadioHowie]

Another FWIW, before I install Grumpy's motor into my Feej's frame, I'll be making some "modifications" to the motor. One of them wil be this:

which is coming to me at the great generosity of Brodie. For those not following the Manual CCT threads closely, it's the prototype manual CCT from APE. Brodie has graciously offered it to me and it is already coming my way.

It will be a snap to install since the motor will be out of the frame. I'll also be taking the time to do a valve lash check/adjustment since Grumpy's motor has 42,000 miles on it and there's no better time to do it than before installation. I'll also be taking the opportunity to replace the cam chain while it's easy to get to.

Overkill? Some might consider it such, but again, there's no better time than the present and having everything easy to get to is a definite plus.

'Howie

 

[user 213]

Overkill is good. Don't f%^k up. :ermm: You will never live down a munched replacement motor due to out of time cams resulting from doing a valve check/chain swap.

 

[dcarver]

Overkill is good. Don't f%^k up. :ermm: You will never live down a munched replacement motor due to out of time cams resulting from doing a valve check/chain swap.

No pressure, Howie, no pressure! :lol:

 

[RadioHowie]

Overkill is good. Don't f%^k up. :ermm: You will never live down a munched replacement motor due to out of time cams resulting from doing a valve check/chain swap.

No chit! In truth, I'll probably never live down ANYTHING that goes wrong with this bike ever again!

 

[RadioHowie]

Overkill is good. Don't f%^k up. :ermm: You will never live down a munched replacement motor due to out of time cams resulting from doing a valve check/chain swap.

No pressure, Howie, no pressure! :lol:

Mental jimmykick comin' yer way! h34r:

 

[user 213]

No chit! In truth, I'll probably never live down ANYTHING that goes wrong with this bike ever again!

Not so, someone else will do something that tops this disaster and we'll all forget about RadioHowie and his engine adventure. Especially if we're riding with you and you've got that silly smile on your face again.

 

[FJRBluesman]

I'm just a little concerned of not having a way to actually adjust the manual CCT. No reference from Mamaha, soooo..... Will it be too tight? Too loose? Too..... Is there another too?

I like Carver's idea of just change the CCT at 'X' mile intervals. It's really rather simple once you've done it. What maybe every 25K, 40K, what ever. When it starts making a little noise replace it. Unless you use said CCT stop that contacts the chain, you run the risk of; a) Wearing out your cam chain on the side that touches the CCT, or B) You'll destroy the manual CCT thus creating other probs. Just sayin'....

Time will tell how well this all works out. You go you trial blazers! Look forward to future comments on the Manual version.

Good luck all y'all on your manual CCT's.

 

[meosborn]

No chit! In truth, I'll probably never live down ANYTHING that goes wrong with this bike ever again!

Not so, someone else will do something that tops this disaster and we'll all forget about RadioHowie and his engine adventure. Especially if we're riding with you and you've got that silly smile on your face again.

Or if someone puts some NOS in their FJR.

 

[Khunajawdge]

D'oh, this place is like a motorcycle maintenance soap opera! Let's see if I can re-cap this tread?

First, the "Feejarnascenti" has credibly annied up $$$ to set RHowie up as a Guinea pig, with Grumpy's engine purchase made possible by continued vigilance with a PayPal account set up by Joe2Lmaker. Initial idea was spawned by Scooterg? RHowie was a willing (albeit desperate?) candidate for this position.

Apparently, the OEM CCT's are losing credibility in longer mileage units(?) while FJRay's first prototype for a manual CCT mod continues to get thoroughly gone over with a fine toothed comb by Fred W.

Now, Brodie has made APE aware of the problems of Radio Howie's bike engine swap, and has volunteered to be the first Gen II donor to have an APE prototype CCT installed in his own bike? Also, Brodie has had prototype parts sent to Florida from APE in California to test on a Gen 1.

Continual coaching by OCfjr, Ionbeam, Radman, Charismaticmegafauna, and many others, is making this the "best read" Technical Discussion since well(?) the development of the first FJRTech and FJRMaintenance Schedules posted by Warchild and Hmarc.

I say, let the "healthy dialogue" continue & I wish I had more knowledge in the areas being described to be able to contribute, but I am learning!

And...the plot continues to thicken within this owner's group! Thanks :clapping:

 

[Brodie]

...now, Brodie has made APE aware of the problems of Radio Howie's bike engine swap, and has volunteered to be the first Gen II donor to have an APE prototype CCT installed in his own bike? Also, Brodie has had prototype parts sent to Florida from APE in California to test on a Gen 1...

George

In the interest of accuracy, I contacted American Racing Products about the availability of a manual cam chain tensioner for the FJR. They have a proven design already out on the market for various sport bikes. I piqued their interest in the FJR platform - seems that the OEM unit is less than bullet proof. APE used the OEM unit I sent them to make a prototype unit. They sent it to me to test fit on my bike. I made an adjustment to their design, took several pictures and e-mailed them back to APE. After a phone call or two, they are going into production with my modification.

They let me keep the prototype, and they will send me a production unit with a black anodized finish.

I saw that a long time, frequent contributor to this on line community (who had a very unfortunate disaster happen to his ride) was finally able to start rebuilding. I learned a heck of a lot from his contaminated fuel system saga, so I sent him the prototype. I wish him well on his project.

When I get the production unit I will post the pertinent information for other interested forum members to get their own APE MCCT.

[SIZE=12pt][/SIZE]


:clapping: GO Howie GO!!!
:clapping:

 

[BwanaDik]

No chit! In truth, I'll probably never live down ANYTHING that goes wrong with this bike ever again!

Not so, someone else will do something that tops this disaster and we'll all forget about RadioHowie and his engine adventure. Especially if we're riding with you and you've got that silly smile on your face again.

If somebody has a disaster worse than this one he/she will then have been "Howie'd" and so his name will be immortalized

 

[Patriot]

No chit! In truth, I'll probably never live down ANYTHING that goes wrong with this bike ever again!

Not so, someone else will do something that tops this disaster and we'll all forget about RadioHowie and his engine adventure. Especially if we're riding with you and you've got that silly smile on your face again.

If somebody has a disaster worse than this one he/she will then have been "Howie'd" and so his name will be immortalized

already done...I'm proof positive with the experience and label

 

[ionbeam]

Guess I pre-Howie with a bigger FUBAR than what he currently is recovering from.

Sometimes being a leader sucks.

 

[RadioHowie]

Guess I pre-Howie with a bigger FUBAR than what he currently is recovering from.
Sometimes being a leader sucks.

Thanks, boss. You've been an inspiration.

I'm thinking of bending a shift fork just so I can chronicle another problem.

 

[user 213]

Guess I pre-Howie with a bigger FUBAR than what he currently is recovering from.
Sometimes being a leader sucks.

And if you'd stop bringing it up, we'd all forget about it.

 

[RadioHowie]

Guess I pre-Howie with a bigger FUBAR than what he currently is recovering from.
Sometimes being a leader sucks.

And if you'd stop bringing it up, we'd all forget about it.

Not all of us. :dribble:

 

[ionbeam]

Guess I pre-Howie with a bigger FUBAR than what he currently is recovering from.
Sometimes being a leader sucks.

And if you'd stop bringing it up, we'd all forget about it.

Guess I've hit the end of the dead engine thread. Bye, sorry to be a bore!

 

[RadioHowie]

Guess I pre-Howie with a bigger FUBAR than what he currently is recovering from.
Sometimes being a leader sucks.

And if you'd stop bringing it up, we'd all forget about it.

Guess I've hit the end of the dead engine thread. Bye, sorry to be a bore!

[SIZE=18pt]'NEVER SURRENDER.....NEVER GIVE UP!'[/SIZE]