Cam Chain Tensioner Knob fell off

[Guest]

Last night I pulled my 83 out into the driveway and started it.

Rode down the drive and back and on the return I heard a strange sound that was related to rpm.

Shut of the engine and got off to find the knob from the Cam Chain Tensioner laying on the engine block .. loose .

The engine was running before I stopped but I did notice it backfired (which I had never noticed it do before).


What have I done to my poor bike ?

[Nessism]

Worst case is bent valves...but lets not assume the worst.

Sounds like time to remove the tensioner and inspect all the parts. New seals are always a good idea but not manditory if the tensioner was not leaking. Bwinger has a tutorial on how to rebuild the tensioner, link available on Basscliff's site. Once you get it back together, I'd check the cam timing to make sure it didn't skip. It wouldn't hurt to turn the engine to 1-4 TDC before removing the tensioner and check timing straight away. Just be careful to not turn the engine over if you feel resistance.

Good luck and hope nothing serious happened.

[mriddle]

OK .. that is good to hear.

I will post up more questions I'm sure.

Thanks Ed

Worst case is bent valves...but lets not assume the worst.

Sounds like time to remove the tensioner and inspect all the parts. New seals are always a good idea but not manditory if the tensioner was not leaking. Bwinger has a tutorial on how to rebuild the tensioner, link available on Basscliff's site. Once you get it back together, I'd check the cam timing to make sure it didn't skip. It wouldn't hurt to turn the engine to 1-4 TDC before removing the tensioner and check timing straight away. Just be careful to not turn the engine over if you feel resistance.

Good luck and hope nothing serious happened.

[posplayr]

If you have ever screwed with one, you will realize that the automatic operation and hard riding are not really compatiable. I have replaced both my GS750 and GS1100 tensioner with manual models. $55 from APE. You just adjust the chain whenever you adjust valves.

[hampshirehog]

Chances are your motor is fine because of the way the tensioner works and, like Ed says, worst case is bent valves.

Definitely worth checking the timing.

[mriddle]

Please tell me more about automatic operation and hard riding not being compatible.

If you have ever screwed with one, you will realize that the automatic operation and hard riding are not really compatiable. I have replaced both my GS750 and GS1100 tensioner with manual models. $55 from APE. You just adjust the chain whenever you adjust valves.

[Nessism]

Unless you are taking your bike to the drag strip and running sustained high rpms, the stock tensioner should be fine.

[tkent02]

Please tell me more about automatic operation and hard riding not being compatible.

I've used stock tensioners on all of my GSes, never babied any of them, never had an issue.

They all see red line quite often, the smaller bikes more often. These have all been stock engines.

Track bikes and drag racing bikes with high performance, higher revving engines
need more, ask an engine expert.