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Tiger Time => Steamers (1993-1998 Tigers) => Topic started by: GavD on October 13, 2018, 06:30:23 PM

Title: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: GavD on October 13, 2018, 06:30:23 PM
Since the arrival of the 800, the steamer has been a tad neglected, however I have started to have a look at a few things that need checking/attention.

Today I took the cam cover off to check the valve clearances and thought I'd give the CCT a once over. I've pulled the tensioner out and checked the spring. Book says it should be 73.7mm. Mine measures at about 70mm, so i've ordered a new one. When checking over the actual tensioner plunger it has extended to the 9th groove. Does anyone know if this is excessive or not? I'm wondering whether to get in there and replace guides/chain/sprockets at the same time.

Bike has done approx 44,000 miles.
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: JayDub on October 14, 2018, 12:01:48 AM
My spring measured 69.6 @ 25k. It made a big difference to the sound of the motor when the new one was fitted.
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: GavD on October 14, 2018, 10:05:02 AM
Thanks John,

Will tinker with it over the winter. Got to sort out a dodgy exhaust manifold stud and get new front discs too, so I'll let you know come spring how I've got on.

Another reason I was looking at the CCT was because Mo's Steamer (that has a '93 Daytona engine in it) has been making a rattle according to him. I tried to convince him they all rattle but he was having none of it and so I went round there one night to check a few things out. DAR was my obvious thought but that all looks tight, both the alternator bolt and the drive shaft through from the clutch.

Next we moved onto the CCT, and although the chain seemed to be tensioned we could lift it approx half a mm off of the cam sprockets, so I promised him I'd look at mine when I got the chance. Anyway, I cant lift my chain at all so I think it's something he needs to look at closer.
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: rybes on October 14, 2018, 10:59:42 AM
I remember when I rebuilt my tiger the cct died when I tried starting it. So I made a new one by drilling out the big head bolt to accept an m10 bolt that I rounded the end on that touches the guide. Then used a locking nut and copper washer on it. Worked a treat and was on there for 3 years with no problems
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: Nick Calne on October 14, 2018, 11:57:38 AM
Sorry for the minor diversion, but has anyone got a cheap source for front disc rotors?

Not really knowing about the cam chain tensioner, may I also ask with my bike at 40k now is it something I should be looking at too?
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: GavD on October 14, 2018, 12:32:07 PM
Quote from: Nick Calne on October 14, 2018, 11:57:38 AM
Sorry for the minor diversion, but has anyone got a cheap source for front disc rotors?

Not really knowing about the cam chain tensioner, may I also ask with my bike at 40k now is it something I should be looking at too?
Nick,

Not sure on the discs because I'm running a Sprint front end so I'm looking for different discs to you, although triumph-online have a pair for £200 inc bolts.  They have your ones for £180/pair or £220 inc bolts.

As for the CCT, it's something I've been meaning to look into for a while, but Mo's problems pushed me into it.
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: GavD on October 14, 2018, 12:34:41 PM
Quote from: rybes on October 14, 2018, 10:59:42 AM
I remember when I rebuilt my tiger the cct died when I tried starting it. So I made a new one by drilling out the big head bolt to accept an m10 bolt that I rounded the end on that touches the guide. Then used a locking nut and copper washer on it. Worked a treat and was on there for 3 years with no problems

Can you remember how far the plunger had extended mate?
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: rybes on October 14, 2018, 09:05:42 PM
No but as its you I'll go take it out and get some pictures and measurements for ya
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: GavD on October 14, 2018, 10:24:39 PM
Thanks Rybes, you da man.  :icon_salut:
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: threepot on October 16, 2018, 06:00:17 PM
I changed the chain a couple of years ago when the mileage was around 60k ish?? I had no unusual noises etc. What I did notice was the tensioner was hardly under any tension. Plunger out most of its travel i suppose? I replaced chain,and spring. All guides looked ok. Not sure how many grooves on plunger,but how far out in relation to its travel might give you an idea on chain condition. But,you can buy a Morse brand on ebay for about £40 ish? No problems with mine.
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: GavD on October 16, 2018, 06:21:48 PM
Quote from: threepot on October 16, 2018, 06:00:17 PM
I changed the chain a couple of years ago when the mileage was around 60k ish?? I had no unusual noises etc. What I did notice was the tensioner was hardly under any tension. Plunger out most of its travel i suppose? I replaced chain,and spring. All guides looked ok. Not sure how many grooves on plunger,but how far out in relation to its travel might give you an idea on chain condition. But,you can buy a Morse brand on ebay for about £40 ish? No problems with mine.
Cheers Mark,

I didn't check how many grooves in total on the plunger, but when I moved it to the fully extended position then pushed it back into where it was, it was about half way out.

Think I'm gonna put a new spring in and leave it for another couple of years.

Thing is, stripping it down a bit to do this work has revealed other hidden gremlins :cp
It would appear my next job is to replace the exhaust manifold studs as I have 2 that are shot (nuts rusted to nothing), and the rest are n't far behind. One of the exhaust manifold clamps rattles, which may have been the noise that prompted me to investigate the cam chain in the first place!

I'm going to try to do this with the engine still in the bike, but I'm gonna have to remove the radiator and the wheel/forks. No doubt when I remove all the cooling hoses more gremlins will appear then. Don't ya just love 20yr old bikes? :new_all_coholic
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: JayDub on October 16, 2018, 07:54:27 PM
So summers over I see  :icon_biggrin: spanners out....
My rattle seems to be the balance shaft, or at least its from that area on the left.  Go straight to the heat/freeze method for the exhaust studs, welding a nut on has always been the winner for me. I would be considering stainless exhaust studs and nuts.
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: ssevy on October 17, 2018, 05:27:24 AM
I bought a special stud removal socket and it was money well spent. There are few jobs as frustrating as removing a broken manifold stud.
I bought all new studs when I reinstalled the exhaust. Not stainless, but I used plenty of high temp copper never seize in case either the nuts or the studs ever need to come out.
Good luck!
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: Nick Calne on October 17, 2018, 04:20:29 PM
There are a couple on my bike that aren't really studs anymore.  Just some iron oxide in the shape of something like half a stud.  I daren't touch them... too far gone.
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: GavD on October 17, 2018, 07:38:53 PM
Quote from: Nick Calne on October 17, 2018, 04:20:29 PM
There are a couple on my bike that aren't really studs anymore.  Just some iron oxide in the shape of something like half a stud.  I daren't touch them... too far gone.
Similar to mine then Nick,

Gonna spend a week or so heating them and spraying penetration oil on them, then go for the type of tool ssevy suggests and see what happens. Hopefully they'll all come out ok, & i'll replace them with stainless studs/nuts and plenty of copper grease.
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: London_Phil on October 17, 2018, 08:15:59 PM
Something like this for removal?

https://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/hand-tools/laser-impact-stud-extractor-1-2-drive
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: Nick Calne on October 17, 2018, 08:41:37 PM
My concern Gav is what happen if you get half of what remains of a stud out?
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: GavD on October 18, 2018, 07:28:58 PM
Quote from: London_Phil on October 17, 2018, 08:15:59 PM
Something like this for removal?

https://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/hand-tools/laser-impact-stud-extractor-1-2-drive

Yeah something like that
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: GavD on October 18, 2018, 07:33:41 PM
Quote from: Nick Calne on October 17, 2018, 08:41:37 PM
My concern Gav is what happen if you get half of what remains of a stud out?

My worry too Nick, but I'm gonna have to go for it. If it comes to it, I'll have to drop the engine out and get drilling!

Off to Cyprus for 10 days next week, so I'll start on it when I get back.
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: Geoff W on October 19, 2018, 09:34:40 PM
Well 81k miles on mine on the original cam chain. Checked it last year seemed ok. However bike does sound like a chest of spanners tossing a wobbler. I may add it to the list of jobs for the winter, but then.................. :^_^
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: GavD on October 20, 2018, 09:01:52 AM
Quote from: Geoff W on October 19, 2018, 09:34:40 PM
Well 81k miles on mine on the original cam chain. Checked it last year seemed ok. However bike does sound like a chest of spanners tossing a wobbler. I may add it to the list of jobs for the winter, but then.................. :^_^

Whenever I start to worry about how mine sounds, I just think back to listening to yours in Wales Geoff and it makes me feel less anxious! :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: Timbox2 on October 20, 2018, 10:54:47 AM
Quote from: GavD on October 18, 2018, 07:33:41 PM
My worry too Nick, but I'm gonna have to go for it. If it comes to it, I'll have to drop the engine out and get drilling!

Off to Cyprus for 10 days next week, so I'll start on it when I get back.

You gonna meet up with Cos? Hes come over to the dark side 1050 Forum with a new Tiger Sport
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: rybes on October 20, 2018, 02:06:51 PM
Gav I checked my bike but forgot I'd changed the engine so I can't take the measurements for ya. Sorry mate
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: GavD on October 20, 2018, 09:15:51 PM
Quote from: rybes on October 20, 2018, 02:06:51 PM
Gav I checked my bike but forgot I'd changed the engine so I can't take the measurements for ya. Sorry mate

No worries mate, I think I'm OK with the CCT for quite a few miles yet, it's the exhaust studs I'm fretting over at the moment. Gonna leave it for a few weeks though as I'm off to Cyprus for some R&R.
:* :new_all_coholic :* :friday :* :occasion14
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: Nick Calne on October 20, 2018, 09:52:13 PM
Quote from: Geoff W on October 19, 2018, 09:34:40 PM
However bike does sound like a chest of spanners tossing a wobbler.

But louder  :rfl
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: GavD on December 12, 2018, 08:40:39 PM
Update,

I got a bit distracted with the 800, I had to get the exhaust headers off that bike to get a small crack/hole welded up. That took me a couple of weeks to sort out, after which I got back to the steamer.


Radiator came off no problems.

2 of the studs had nut shaped rusty things left on them, so I tapped on a socket and gently tried to ease them off. They wouldn't shift but after a bit of gentle persuasion they started to undo the studs from the head. 2 down, 4 to go!!

2 of the remaining 4 didn't really have nut shaped things left at all, the other 2 had nuts that had rusted to a round shape. Couldn't get them to shift, so out with the dremel. Ground off one side of each 'nut' and then got a hammer and chisel on them to spread them open. That worked and I could then get the headers off.

Ordered an 8mm stud remover that looks like a spark plug socket, it worked on 3 of the studs, but one of them had rusted to a smaller size and it wouldn't grip. Ordered a 2nd tool that is multi size one and although it was a bit awkward, it worked on the last stud.

Got some new stainless studs and nuts, so they're in now, just waiting for some new gaskets to come through and then I can get it all back together.

New coolant, oil and filter, also gotta source some new front brake discs and then i should be good for the MOT.
Title: Re: Cam chain tensioner Q's
Post by: GavD on December 15, 2018, 07:45:59 PM
Shiny nuts
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