GlynnJ
Member
I have a problem!
The bike is fairly new to me. The engine ran and pulled OK, but the top end was noisy so I decided to adjust the valves. I found the relevant video on Common Motor Collective and I believe I followed it correctly, starting with the cam chain tension adjustment. After that adjustment the engine turned over freely by hand and could be turned in either direction. So I proceeded to adjust the left hand inlet & exhaust valves.
Having finished the left hand side I rotated the engine to get to the T mark on compression stroke of the right cylinder and adjusted the valve clearances. In each case, left & right, I checked the clearances with a 0.003@ feeler gauge after tightening the locking nut and the 'feel' was fine.
I then proceeded to turn the engine over by hand in the correct direction and after about a quarter turn I reached a hard stop. I turned back in the other direction and noted that the exhaust camshaft didn't immediately turn and then there was a clicking noise. The cam chain is now loose!
What have I done? Can I fix it without stripping down the engine? I would swear that I followed the video instructions correctly. I am wondering if the right side valves were previously set loose for a reason...
I am not an expert mechanic by any means, but I have worked on engines for years, including ones much bigger and more complex than this. This is the first time I have encountered this type of issue.
The bike is fairly new to me. The engine ran and pulled OK, but the top end was noisy so I decided to adjust the valves. I found the relevant video on Common Motor Collective and I believe I followed it correctly, starting with the cam chain tension adjustment. After that adjustment the engine turned over freely by hand and could be turned in either direction. So I proceeded to adjust the left hand inlet & exhaust valves.
Having finished the left hand side I rotated the engine to get to the T mark on compression stroke of the right cylinder and adjusted the valve clearances. In each case, left & right, I checked the clearances with a 0.003@ feeler gauge after tightening the locking nut and the 'feel' was fine.
I then proceeded to turn the engine over by hand in the correct direction and after about a quarter turn I reached a hard stop. I turned back in the other direction and noted that the exhaust camshaft didn't immediately turn and then there was a clicking noise. The cam chain is now loose!
What have I done? Can I fix it without stripping down the engine? I would swear that I followed the video instructions correctly. I am wondering if the right side valves were previously set loose for a reason...
I am not an expert mechanic by any means, but I have worked on engines for years, including ones much bigger and more complex than this. This is the first time I have encountered this type of issue.
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