• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

GS 1100 Timing chain free play

  • Thread starter Thread starter Street Fighter
  • Start date Start date
S

Street Fighter

Guest
New timing chain
how much free play should i put in it.
 
I recently installed an APE tensioner on my GS, but it probably wasn't needed.
Just gives me something else to play with! They are easy to adjust, at least.
 
I used one on a Concours, they had crappy stock adjusters.

Had to use a stethoscope to get the tension right, too tight and you could hear the chain dragging on the guides, too loose and you could hear it rattleing around in there. There was a very small window where it was silent, like 1/16 turn or less.
 
tkent02 said:
I used one on a Concours, they had crappy stock adjusters.
Click to expand...

I put them on a couple Kawasakis, including my Eliminator 900, since the stock one crapped out and left me having to replace the chain and guides.

My most recent ZX has one, but I guess the GS's stock tensioners are ok?
 
I've always made sure I have 2-3 mm of free play at the chains tightest point. That link is great if you do not have your valve cover off.
I've seen chains so tight they turned into band saws on the guides.
 
chef1366 said:
I've always made sure I have 2-3 mm of free play at the chains tightest point. That link is great if you do not have your valve cover off.
I've seen chains so tight they turned into band saws on the guides.
Click to expand...

I've seen chains so tight it broke an aftermarket chain guide
 
when it is right - and you open up the top - push down between the cam sprockets to get all the slack there -- it appears way too loose but it is not.

I have a "feel" approach - just like a drive chain there is always a short spot , so I turn the crank over and feel for the tight spot, then set the tensioner there. 5 or so crank degrees is enough wiggle - get familiar and you won't be intimidated.

just remember - it is easy to over tighten a manual tensioner using regular common sense
 
gsgeezer said:
I put them on a couple Kawasakis, including my Eliminator 900, since the stock one crapped out and left me having to replace the chain and guides.

My most recent ZX has one, but I guess the GS's stock tensioners are ok?
Click to expand...

They work fine, last a really long time. After a while they tend to leak but it's easy to fix.. A lot of the high performance engine guys and racers use the APE ones. I think the stock ones tend to fail with enough high RPM use.

Never seen one fail but I've only had about 50 GSes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top