help with cam chain tensioner reinstall

[spawningvat]

So I took off the cam chain tensioner on my running79 gs550e, cleaned it and went to put it back on. Before it was in, I rotated the kickstarter out of the way, moving the engine. Now the tensioner won't go back in. And yes the tensioner is set up ready to go back in, its a problem with the chain/gears.

So, i'm wondering if I jumped the chain off the gears? Do i have the check timing? How do i get the tensioner back in?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

/s/ Sean

[Redman]

Our buddy Brain has this

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

Shows the removal, replacing o-rings, and reinstall.

[Nessism]

When you moved the engine with the kick starter you must have pulled the cam chain tight in the back where the tensioner goes. You should pull the valve cover and verify the timing is correct before doing anything else. Check the thread below for more information.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=115966

[chef1366]

But the bike in gear and move the rear tire the opposite direction you moved it with the kick starter. This will but the slack back in the cam chain so you can but the tensioner back in.

[mark]

I wonder if you "backed the engine" up a bit, putting the tension on the back of the cam chain instead of the front. I doubt you did anything messing with the kick-starter.

Take off your ignition cover, put a (14mm, I believe) socket on your hex head nut that turns your crankshaft, and turn the engine clock-wise a bit. That will put the tension of your cam chain back to the front of the engine, allowing your tensioner to take up the slack in the rear.

Its quick and easy.....hopefully that will solve your problem.

[Steve]

Take off your ignition cover, put a (14mm, I believe) socket on your hex head nut that turns your crankshaft, and turn the engine clock-wise a bit. That will put the tension of your cam chain back to the front of the engine, allowing your tensioner to take up the slack in the rear.

Even better...use a 19 mm wrench. It's the one that fits the crank.


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