Honda Rebel CMX250 Engine Kaput?

[Honda Rebel Rider]

Greetings forum, and Hello to you all!

I have an old Honda Rebel that has been my primary source of transportation for the past 2 years or so. The bike has been acting up recently, and unfortunately, I think I have had a catastrophic issue with the engine.

When I pulled the top end (just the valve cover) off my CMX250, I noticed quite a bit of play in the cam chain, even though there is a cam chain guide AND cam chain tensioner in the cylinder.

Would anyone have some expertise they can bestow upon me? I would be truly grateful!

Thank you.

[stinkwheel]

Cam chains don't last forever. They are a wearable part.

Can chain tennsioners don't last forever. They are a wearable part.

Self-adjusting camchain tensioners do not always self adjust.

So.

I would measure the camchain to see if it's worn out. There is usually a measurement in the manual for the maximum distance between a specified number of pins. If it is over this measurement, the camchain needs to be replaced.

I would remove and inspect the camchain tensioner blade to check it is not worn out, damaged (or in extreme cases, missing).

I would them re-fire the camchain tensioner and ensure it is correctly tensioning the chain.

I would then check the timing has not slipped before reassembling the bike.

If there is a significant amount of wear/damage to the tensioner blade, I would change the oil and clean the oil filter screen.

I'm not familiar with the CMX engine but if they are similar to the older CB250 motors, the CCT is a sort of sprung, curved plastic blade. On the CB250, it was in theory self-adjusting but the spring wasn't strong enough so you had to periodically loosen the adjuster nut, push down on top of the CCT with a screwdriver and re-tighten the nut. I've seen old superdream camchains chainsaw their way out through the barrel.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[A100man]

you state 'catastrophic issue'.

Does it still run? or did it make a bad noise and then stop.

Stinker's advice is spot on - unless bad things happened prior.
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600