Chain & tensioner

[wymple]

So, hearing noises I didn't like, I got a new cam chain and the (I suppose) upgrade tensioner. This is what I found inside...



However, while the chain was loose enough to do this, it showed no sag when held horizontally, and the factory guide shows almost nothing for wear. I think I could have slid the tensioner in a bit & kept going. The new tensioner is a really odd duck, it looks very thin to me, was a beeotch to get in, and there seems to be a lot of pressure on it. That must be one tough piece of plastic because it looks absolutely fragile to me. Also, and I understand it is normal, I can now hear the whirring noise from the chain as it rides on the tensioner. Kind of like a little supercharger whine. (I can pretend)  It will take some getting used to, but doesn't bother me if it is indeed normal. All is normal, not one unusual mechanical tick, it sounds really solid. Tomorrow I will adjust the valves and check the timing.

[Kiwi_Roy]

What bike is this?
I have a feeling my California II is going the same way.

[pete roper]

The Valtec 'Blade' type tensioners tend to quieten down pretty quickly. Of the variousiptions they are my pick. The original sliding 'Foot' type in early bikes are awful, the later 'Floppy Block' ones are slightly better but still won't maintain the timing that well. Aluminium timing gears are awful and steel ones are hard to procure and very expensive.

Pete

[ITSec]

Aluminium timing gears are awful and steel ones are hard to procure and very expensive.

Good thing that weird allow is apparently only available in the Commonwealth! 

[wymple]

It's a 1984 Cal II. I must admit, I really don't see the problem with the original guide. Bike is over 100K and it looked barely used at all. It would have been a damn site easier to reinstall, LOL.

[kfz]

I think you have more of those pesky frame lower nuts trapped down there than me. They love it down there.

BTW Just wipped off the cover off the LM5 to have a looksee and seems fine, bit of wear of the tensioner but not much.  Bike approx 90K miles.

Kev

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

steel ones are hard to procure and very expensive.

I suppose I should be thankful my 1971 Ambassador came with steel timing gears, eh?

[fotoguzzi]

It's a 1984 Cal II. I must admit, I really don't see the problem with the original guide. L.

other than it didn't do the job?

[wymple]

other than it didn't do the job?

I could have just adjusted it in a bit. It's only a guide, I'd hardly refer to it as a tensioner. The wear was in the chain.

[Kiwi_Roy]

I don't suppose you took a picture of the new tensioner installed or could you point towards the part.
My Cali II is at about 120,000 miles, I should upgrade it.
Thanks
Roy

[wymple]

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=52310.0

Pics on a T-3, pretty much the same. Tensioner is a real PITA unless you have an extra set of hands. You can google up step by step instructions, too.

[Tom H]

I suppose I should be thankful my 1971 Ambassador came with steel timing gears, eh?

Love them until the cam gear breaks

I would prefer them in my Cali EVT, but it has the chain for now.

Tom