cam chain tensioner question

[eil]

Silly question of the day...

1980 GS850GL

I have to remove the exhaust camshaft to get the tach drive sleeve out (long story). Was planning on just removing the cam chain idler to give the necessary slack. Would this work or do I need to remove the cam chain tensioner instead?

Thanks for any advice.

[bwringer]

You'll either need to remove the cam chain tensioner or lock it into place.

The reason is that the cam chain tensioner plunger will extend once you take tension off the chain, and you have to remove it in order to reset it.

You could also lock the tensioner in place while you're working with the camshaft. Just make sure you unlock it afterwards (loosen the setscrew a half turn and lock it into place with the locknut.)

You've, uh, seen this, right? This is my step-by-step guide to replacing the seals in a cam chain tensioner:

http://bwringer.com/gs/camchaintens.html

Step 2 describes locking the cam chain tensioner.

Step 13 describes resetting it.

[eil]

Gotcha. Thanks for the tips!