Must remove cam chain tensioner to change shims?! - SV650.org

11-01-05, 11:22 AM

The manual says so but I'm always looking for a shortcut. Can't you just take the special tool and back off the tensioner while it's still in the engine? If I have to take the tensioner's out what's the easiest way to do it short of dropping the whole engine? Anyone have a diagram of a homemade tensioner tool?

Thanks!!

rictus01 · 11-01-05, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crf450r

The manual says so but I'm always looking for a shortcut. Can't you just take the special tool and back off the tensioner while it's still in the engine? If I have to take the tensioner's out what's the easiest way to do it short of dropping the whole engine? Anyone have a diagram of a homemade tensioner tool?

Thanks!!

Not to sure why you would need to change the shims as I've done some heavy mileage and never found them to be out, however as It's only 30 minutes or so to remove the engine, that's the way I'd go.

yes you can back off the tensioner with a thin screwdriver, but I'm not sure you have access to the front one with the engine in the frame.

As you will be removing the cams to do this, I think dropping the lump is well worht doing.

Cheers Mark.

11-01-05, 11:40 AM

An SV in Hawaii ?

Cool.....

Sid Squid · 11-01-05, 01:05 PM

You'll need to back the tensioners off, as they will extend to their maximum length as soon as you remove the cams, and the chain is no longer held in place.
As you can't put the screwdriver in to back it the tensioner off and hold the plunger in at the same time when it's in place, (unless you can reach down the cam chain tunnel and hold it), I'd just take it off, much easier than trying to wedge something, ie screwdriver in it.

northwind · 11-01-05, 08:40 PM

How much is the proper tool? If it's cheap, might be worth doing- I think it has the ability to withdraw the plunger then lock down, unlike my beer-can tool...

Sid Squid · 12-01-05, 12:23 PM

Northy

The 'proper' tool is just a flat piece of tin with a cord on it, it's not a locking tool as such, it just stops the tensioner resetting until it's removed from the tensioner body, no advantage over a bit of tin-can or similar, cut to do the job.

northwind · 12-01-05, 07:37 PM

Ah well, ignore that then. ISTR it's pretty pricey, so I imagined some massive corkscrew-looking thing

15-01-05, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

You'll need to back the tensioners off, as they will extend to their maximum length as soon as you remove the cams, and the chain is no longer held in place.
As you can't put the screwdriver in to back it the tensioner off and hold the plunger in at the same time when it's in place, (unless you can reach down the cam chain tunnel and hold it), I'd just take it off, much easier than trying to wedge something, ie screwdriver in it.

Well I fashioned a homemade tool and was able to get to both tensioners without "dropping the lump", as you say. I made a very similar tool (just different dimesnions) for my CRF450R. It seems to retract, or at least relieve the tension, and you can reach into the tunnel with a screw driver and depress the plunger.

After all that I decided to wait another 7-8K to pull the cams because I was able to get the .203mm in all the exhausts although one was a bit tight. Right now my bike is at 18K; I know others have said these things go forever without changes but in reality when do most need their first shim change?

15-01-05, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crf450r

or at least it relieved the tension

Now what are you talkin' about

11-01-05, 11:22 AM	#1
crf450r Guest Posts: n/a	Must remove cam chain tensioner to change shims?! The manual says so but I'm always looking for a shortcut. Can't you just take the special tool and back off the tensioner while it's still in the engine? If I have to take the tensioner's out what's the easiest way to do it short of dropping the whole engine? Anyone have a diagram of a homemade tensioner tool? Thanks!!

11-01-05, 01:05 PM	#4
Sid Squid No, I don't lend tools. Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Skunk Works, Nth London Posts: 8,680	You'll need to back the tensioners off, as they will extend to their maximum length as soon as you remove the cams, and the chain is no longer held in place. As you can't put the screwdriver in to back it the tensioner off and hold the plunger in at the same time when it's in place, (unless you can reach down the cam chain tunnel and hold it), I'd just take it off, much easier than trying to wedge something, ie screwdriver in it. __________________ If an SV650 has a flat tyre in the forest and no-one is there to blow it up, how long will it be 'til someone posts that the reg/rec is duff and the world will end unless a CBR unit is fitted? A little bit of knowledge = a dangerous thing. "a deathless anthem of nuclear-strength romantic angst"

11-01-05, 08:40 PM	#5
northwind Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In the garage where I belong Posts: 17,083	How much is the proper tool? If it's cheap, might be worth doing- I think it has the ability to withdraw the plunger then lock down, unlike my beer-can tool... __________________ "We are the angry mob, we read the papers every day We like what we like, we hate what we hate But we're oh so easily swayed"

12-01-05, 12:23 PM	#6
Sid Squid No, I don't lend tools. Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Skunk Works, Nth London Posts: 8,680	Northy The 'proper' tool is just a flat piece of tin with a cord on it, it's not a locking tool as such, it just stops the tensioner resetting until it's removed from the tensioner body, no advantage over a bit of tin-can or similar, cut to do the job. __________________ If an SV650 has a flat tyre in the forest and no-one is there to blow it up, how long will it be 'til someone posts that the reg/rec is duff and the world will end unless a CBR unit is fitted? A little bit of knowledge = a dangerous thing. "a deathless anthem of nuclear-strength romantic angst"

12-01-05, 07:37 PM	#7
northwind Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In the garage where I belong Posts: 17,083	Ah well, ignore that then. ISTR it's pretty pricey, so I imagined some massive corkscrew-looking thing __________________ "We are the angry mob, we read the papers every day We like what we like, we hate what we hate But we're oh so easily swayed"

11-01-05, 11:40 AM	#3
Iansv Guest Posts: n/a	An SV in Hawaii ? Cool.....

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