another dumb cam chain tensioner question.........

[ddz]

Ok I know that with the tensioner on the bike your supposed to look if the knob turns when turning the motor by hand but ...........If ya have the tensioner off the bike & ya push in on the shaft(set screw loose )Should you be able to see the knob rotate?No matter how hard i push the shaft in it wont turn the knob unless i help it rotate?
Im replacing a stretched cam chain on my 80 gs1000g with 53,000 miles& was wondering if maybe that helped it stretch (along with the miles ).
Thanks
Vinny

[SqDancerLynn1]

It should turn. Have you measured the chain for wear ??

[ddz]

sorry i didnt get back lynn. My tensioner was all the way out(into the engine) & the chain still had slack in it . the problem now is with the tensioner off the bike i CANNOT push the plunger in unless i help by turning the knurled nob?I was gonna just buy a new tensioner so i can make the PA ride (takes a week to get usually & its getting CLOSE!I took the tensioner apart & it looked fine to me. With the spring & knob off the rod pushes in fine (can i keep the spring & knob off?)
Thanks
Vinny


PS i WILL be sending GSR a check this week ! 8)

[graham harron]

you should Not be able to push the rod in by hand without turning the knob!!!
Think about it if you could the cam chain could to and guess what would happen to yor engine ???

[ddz]

I thought it was supposed to move .Well thats a load off my mind . Thanks alot!! Now to get all the OLD GASKET off :roll:
Thanks alot for the reply
Vinny

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Vinny, is your tensioner using its full range of travel?
Using the hole in the knurled knob (where the fine spring end inserts) as a reference, the range of travel under spring tension should be approx' 7:00 to 5:00. These springs lose tension over time and the range under tension will be less. Try winding the spring back (ccw) one full turn and re-insert. This may give you the added tension you need.
Be sure the set screw is backed off after installation. Sometimes a 1/4 turn is enough, other times a 1/2 turn is needed.