Cam chains

Regan28 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 29 Jul 2006 Karma :

Just a quick question with regards cam chains, whats the general replacement period? Also what bits do you need to replace and how much are the bits for say a CB400sf?

Cheers.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Depends on a lot of factors from say 8k miles for a bike that may have an iffy one to start with too 50-75k miles for a decent design that hasn't been abused.

Camchain should be around £50 for most bikes. Often the same again for the tensioner, though you may just be able to get the spring or re-use the current one.

finpos · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Karma :

I think that bike has a cam tunnel in the middle of the engine, so "Usual" replacement method is: cam cover off, tensioner out, cams out, cut old chain, connect new chain to old chain, spin crank to feed new chain through, remove old chain, cams back in, tensioner back in, set up cam timing, rivet new chain together, cover back on.

i.e. it's an utter pain in the arse, especially with the engine in the frame, and that's why it usually doesn't get done.

Good time to do your valve clearances and change the tensioner blades and spring as well.

Much easier if the bike has the cam tunnel at one end of the engine, you can just take off the tensioner and enough covers to unloop the old one and punt the new one in.

finpos.