78 GS1000 cam chain

[zeek93_2000]

the cam chain tensioner guides in my 78 gs1000c are wore im assuming this is causing a vibration /rattle that i thought was clutch rattle i replaced the whole clutch assembly and still have the noise do i need to pull the head to replace the chain and guides and possibly tensioner thanks

[hampshirehog]

Are you on a high mileage bike? The guides do last a long time so I'd only be thinking this if you're well past 50K.

That noise could be quite a few things. Clutch is number one suspect on these bikes. Did you replace yours with a new one or secondhand?

Carbs out of synch exacerbates the problem if it is the clutch - in fact, you can often pretty much 'repair' the clutch with a good synch.

Or it could just be your cam chain tensioner sticking. (Tensioner on the back of the cylinders, below the carbs). That's easy enough to check - just follow the manual and once you've got it removed clean and make sure that it slides back and forth nicely.

[oldgrumpy]

Cam chain guides

I replaced the top end with new pistons rings clips and pins and also ported the head myself ,, as i,m experienced in that sort of automotive work,,, at the time for about 2-3 months i could not get guides,,, so i lightly took the outside edge off ,,,only about 1/2mm ,,,, anyway,,, now i co need to look at doing them properly.. the front guide just slides up ,,once you have removed the barrel,,, and the rear guide unbolts and you carefully remove it slowly ,,,but before all that once head is remove secure cam chain with a cost hanger to the main backbone where the tank sits remove the top guide first ,,and the rest next keep the tension reasonable ,,just to stop it dropping in crankcase .. regards dave from kaniva

[Big T]

The chain requires splitting the cases

The guides require pulling the top end

But, as above, if your bike has less than 50k on it, it's probably the tensioner. Clean it