Kawasaki GT550

[Sheltieboy]

I recently bought a 1988 gt 550 to play with over the winter
I've taken the sump of to check for particles and discovered that the chain thats driven off the crankshaft is pretty slack, about an inch of up and downwards play.. Is this normal??? And if not how to adjust it if its possible

Thanks

[map]

Adjuster is a weak point. Supposed to be automatic adjust. It does not always work.
____________________
...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Sheltieboy]

Hi
Just to be clear, its no the cam chain, it's the drive chain on the crankshaft that drives the output shaft(i think)

[Chuffin Nora]

the tool

https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMTYy/z/uDYAAOxyGqZSZ54F/$T2eC16J,!)QFIbyo+IgtBSZ54EhW5!~~60_35.JPG


the absence of which
a spanner thrown
into the works

Procure.



And/or -- the clue being in the forum title:
The Workshop
Technical discussions and mechanical advice. Need help with your bike?
where you'll find a host of helping hands for tools who've not the capacity to do things by the book.

arf

[Nemo]

I don't know the engine internals so this is complete guess work/what would make sense to me.

Maybe it uses a hydraulic tensioner that requires oil pressure to keep the correct tension?

Just a thought.
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Previously owned: Kawasaki KH125, Suzuki GP125, Suzuki GX 125, Honda CB125 TDC '83, Honda ntv 600, Kawasaki ER5, Kawasaki ZZR600, Aprilia RSV 1000 Mille
Now own: Ducati 848 evo

[Sheltieboy]

I had a good look but see no sign of a tensioner on the primary chain

[Polarbear]

I presume you are taslking about the HiVo chain 92057

https://d136nqpz68vrmx.cloudfront.net/schematics/schematics/kawasaki/kaw020/KA0107011014.gif[/img]

AFAIK there is no tensioning device on this.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Sheltieboy]

Thats the one
Didn think there was a tensioner on it
Its a bit slack about 15-20 mm of play but i see the apparent tolerance quoted is 25mm max so might be ok for a few miles yet!! I hope

[Sheltieboy]

P.S. Can this chain be changed without stripping down the engine, i.e pulling the rear shaft??

[Polarbear]

Pretty sure its an engine strip down. I wouldn't change it if its within tolerance unless you were stripping it down for some other reason.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[davebike]

It is a total strip and the chain is not cheap £34.97 + vat and surprising still listed

Unless it unbearable I just leave it they all rattle clatter but just run on
____________________
Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
davebike1@gmail.com

[Islander]

What Davebike said. My OH's ZR750 primary drive chain clatters like a good 'un when cold and quietens down a bit when it's warmed up. It's a crankshaft out job to replace it so it can carry on clattering as far as I'm concerned.