Poss cam chain loose - can I reset ?

[ukjules]

I seem to have a noise from the engine which
I am sure is either the cam chain tensioner , cAm chain loose or valve clearances .
So step one is to " I think " reset the cam chain tensioner ?

Question is can I just do this having not done any work on the valves , head
i.e remove tensioner, clean , set so spring is set, install , and undo spring bolt and tighten ?
That's ok is it not ?

p.s I bought a set of extra long spanners that allow me to tighten and loosen cam chain tensioner .... hell does it save some swearing ....

Cheers Jules .

[Cipher]

First check valves.
on the way in inspect cam chain. Iirc its measuring stretch between a specified number of link pins.
you can visually inspect guides as well.
40 yr ol nylon exposed to petroleum laced with combustion byproducts is miraculous but unlikely immortal.

[chuck hahn]

Can slightly turn the knurled knob to the left and see if you feel the rod vibrating. Id it is then i dont think its the problem. Go back and edit your post to include bike and year so we know what we are dealing with. Go here for manuals and tutorials.

BikeCliff's Website

[chuck hahn]

And see that the tensioner is adjusted properly. Loosen the 12MM jam nut and turn the screw in till it touched the drive rod. Then turn screw 1/4 turn out and tighten jam nut. Start bike and turn the big knob just a bit to the left to feel for drive rod operating

[ukjules]

I see ...
bike is a 1980 GS55e

You see I have never adjusted the tensioner only put it in after having been removed when
you push rod in assembly , tighten screw, put in bike and then let screw out to tension chain.

I will try what by I say this eve.
I am trying obviously with the last resort of taking the cylinder head casing off , tearing the gasket and then checking the valves .
But agree valves have to be checked just my house situation is a bit precarious at the mo .
Tools all over the place and must be check number 2.

will report after printing out you guys tests and doing em ....

thanks

[ukjules]

Ok did that checking if the tensioner was set correctly .
All set now re the method and yes almost immediately I can feel the vibration turning the nerd knob slightly to the left. It is possible that I have altered it slightly for the better.

I'm sure that the short period I ran the bike it sounded slightly better indeed possibly very much better. I put this engine in probably 2 years ago and at that time put the tensioner in as you would on a new build. I have never checked it since as I didn't really know how to.

I'm gonna do a long run in an hour or so and can report back on that.

the secondary issue is:
There is a noise which I can only describe as a whisping noise almost as if the exhaust is blowing in the smallest possible way.
This may be more obvious after having done what I have just done which may have made a difference.... before this I was convinced it was loose valves which I haven't checked for many years.

I have in the past month regarding this issuebefore what I've done today loosened off and re-torqued the head and tweaked the exhaust bolts. I have not renewed any exhaust gaskets.

I will report later on this but that whisping is still current... and possibly only when starting up and not when warm.

thanks for help and I will report

[rphillips]

No clue about the whisping... The tensioners don't have any kind of adjustment. Once you get it in there and the lock screw loosened and locked properly, it's totally automatic...

[Rob S.]

The 55e - a rare bike!

[ukjules]

ok did go for a run and there is no doubt it is far better (bar the whisping ).
So much so if it was like this I wouldn't
have asked on this post. Yes I will do a few more runs to check .

so what I did just (as suggested)
- loosen the 12mm nut , turn screw in till stops, turn out 1/4 turn, do up nut making sure screw doesn't turn, start up and make sure if turn knurled knob left can feel vibration.
all check positive

sadly I didn't check if vibration was apparent pre 'resetting' the unit. an idiot mistake ....

I agree on the automated way it works
and I put it in years ago correctly .
BUT
the above has I am sure sorted my worrying noise ? this is fact so how can that be ?
I wander if somehow nut came loose and screw turned ?
all I have done previously is some long 200m runs , tightened the head and exhaust bolts.

(I have two other questions to come ... about noises
- whisping noise . will investigate whether only when cold , revs etc stand by for.more info.
- The most annoying rattle. like tin on tin and it's as if it's coming from the tank ? nothing below it can cause it , it's as if it's inside the tank ? and not the chrome cover)
anyone had similar ?

[ukjules]

Has anyone else suffered from 'whisping' sounds on there bikes ?
(in hindsight I realise how mad that question is but unfortunately it does remain ! )

[Rob S.]

Record the sound and post it here (audio/video).

[chuck hahn]

Stock airbox or pods? If pods maybe the breather on top of the cam cover is what you hear. Ive seen small filters that look like a pod they put on a short piece of hose when eliminating stock airboxes.....or if stock airbox connector hose is missing?? Just throwing things in the air.

[lizzywhite45]

Yes, you can reset it without touching the valves. Just set the engine at TDC on the compression stroke before reinstalling to keep tension correct.

[Cipher]

ok did go for a run and there is no doubt it is far better (bar the whisping ).
So much so if it was like this I wouldn't
have asked on this post. Yes I will do a few more runs to check .

so what I did just (as suggested)
- loosen the 12mm nut , turn screw in till stops, turn out 1/4 turn, do up nut making sure screw doesn't turn, start up and make sure if turn knurled knob left can feel vibration.
all check positive

sadly I didn't check if vibration was apparent pre 'resetting' the unit. an idiot mistake ....

I agree on the automated way it works
and I put it in years ago correctly .
BUT
the above has I am sure sorted my worrying noise ? this is fact so how can that be ?
I wander if somehow nut came loose and screw turned ?
all I have done previously is some long 200m runs , tightened the head and exhaust bolts.

(I have two other questions to come ... about noises
- whisping noise . will investigate whether only when cold , revs etc stand by for.more info.
- The most annoying rattle. like tin on tin and it's as if it's coming from the tank ? nothing below it can cause it , it's as if it's inside the tank ? and not the chrome cover)
anyone had similar ?

Check the float mech. Its a cheaply made folded sheet metal affair wit a contact sweeping a rheostat type device.

A pain to remove with great caution needed to protect the paint.

[chuck hahn]

Sending unit floats have never made a noise as they are designed not to touch anything otherwise they wouldnt work. His "whisper" sounds more of an air type sound to me than a vibration. This is why i posted above about the airbox or pods and whether the nipple on the breather cover was open or not.
Also ive had mystery noises and by touching the gauges found a slight vibration from the chrome covers. An annoyance but nothing catastrophic.