Cleaned and reinstalled starter motor – cam chain tensioner messed up?

[johnnykakes]

If he did jump cam timing and tried to start it by starter motor and bump starting it, then the valves may very well already be bent. I'd pull the cam cover and verify timing. If it's off, then reset the cams and do a compression check.

Thanks for the help.


i can't believe it was designed such that you need to pull the tensioner in order to get at the starter motor.

[JJ]

Thanks for the help.


i can't believe it was designed such that you need to pull the tensioner in order to get at the starter motor.

The first thing you need before working on a bike is either a factory service manual, or instructions pertaining to the particular procedure you are performing. Don't ASSume anything.

[tkent02]

Or just go with the bigger hammer, and then put it on Craigslist, "Ran when parked!"

[johnnykakes]

The first thing you need before working on a bike is either a factory service manual, or instructions pertaining to the particular procedure you are performing. Don't ASSume anything.

Woulda been great but I scoured everywhere, even the manual, and didn't find anything about removing the starter motor on a 550

[tom203]

Go here, scoop service manual from Basscliff's library..... Lots of info besides that,so poke around his site

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

Lots of folks on here will guide you, so take advantage

[johnnykakes]

Go here, scoop service manual from Basscliff's library..... Lots of info besides that,so poke around his site

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

Lots of folks on here will guide you, so take advantage

Thanks! Really appreciate it. Gonna check the cam chain once I find a warm place to wrench on it.

[JJ]

Woulda been great but I scoured everywhere, even the manual, and didn't find anything about removing the starter motor on a 550

If you had scoured EVERYWHERE, you'd have found the information. It's out there in many places.

There is loads of help here. Many have been working on these bikes since the 70's.

Don't be afraid to ask. Welcome to the site.

[johnnykakes]

Thanks!

)))

[johnnykakes]

Okay so, how bad would it be to just take the tensioner out, then reinstall it per the info posted in this thread (ensure plunger is all the way in before installing, reinstalling, then loosening set screw to release plunger etc), and then test if it worked by trying to start the engine?

Would starting the engine via electric start rotate the camshaft? Sorry if this is pretty basic sounding

[Eli69]

that sounds like a plan. then you can make sure the timing isn't off. maybe take off the timing cover and pull a plug and check piston position. turn the motor over with a wrench and see if you feel any tight spots. does that make sense?

[johnnykakes]

Timing cover is on the right side of the engine, towards the bottom right? Held on by Philips screws?

[zuzu]

Timing cover is on the right side of the engine, towards the bottom right? Held on by Philips screws?

Yes, that's correct.

[JJ]

Timing cover is on the right side of the engine, towards the bottom right? Held on by Philips screws?

Yes. You did download (and refer to) the factory service manual for your bike from the link you were provided, right?

[johnnykakes]

Yes. You did download (and refer to) the factory service manual for your bike from the link you were provided, right?

Johnny. My man. You're killing me.

I could have spent half an hour going through the manual (since you can't ctrl+F search words in an image based pdf or a physical book) trying to see if the timing cover was referred to by name anywhere (it's not) or whether there are instructions for its removal (there aren't).

Or I could have just asked someone on here.

I'm not being lazy, I'm being efficient.

Everything someone might need isn't in the manual. For example, page 60 "removal of the tension adjuster is necessitated by engine disassmbly [sic] and also by removal of camshafts." Nothing about tension adjuster removal being necessitated by removal of the starter motor. There are also no instructions for removing the starter motor, thus far, which would have been a tremendous help and probably let me avoid being in this situation.


Chill with the 'did you check the manual' bit

[JJ]

Johnny. My man. You're killing me.

I could have spent half an hour going through the manual (since you can't ctrl+F search words in an image based pdf or a physical book) trying to see if the timing cover was referred to by name anywhere (it's not) or whether there are instructions for its removal (there aren't).

Or I could have just asked someone on here.

I'm not being lazy, I'm being efficient.

Everything someone might need isn't in the manual. For example, page 60 "removal of the tension adjuster is necessitated by engine disassmbly [sic] and also by removal of camshafts." Nothing about tension adjuster removal being necessitated by removal of the starter motor. There are also no instructions for removing the starter motor, thus far, which would have been a tremendous help and probably let me avoid being in this situation.


Chill with the 'did you check the manual' bit

The only way you are going to be "efficient" about doing maintenance on your bike is to use the manual when you make the do it yourself. Some things are common sense, and aren't needed in the manual.

Chill with questions that you already have the answers (the service manual) for.

As I heard many NCOs tell soldiers in the Army, "RTFM, soldier". It's still good advice...