Questions on Cam chain guide replacement

Jake Violando

Jake Violando

XS650 Addict
Messages
101
Reaction score
4
Points
18
Location
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Well I changed my like awhile ago and found plastic in both filters. And I found one big strip of plastic. I thought it was the gasket that tore apart but now it clicked that it is the cam chain guide because i hear a metal sound. Adjust valves and cam chain tension and it don't go away. I know I need to pull my motor, pull of the head and leave the chain up on a string. But what from here? I am off tommorow so I want to start. Any help?
 
Almost have motor out of frame. Gonna go cook dinner and then back to the garage to have motor out tonight. Then order the Cam chain guide and some gaskets I need. Hopefully start tearing it apart tommorow once I clean a nice area. Information on tear down will be greatly appreciated and how to change the guide!
 
Last edited:
Jake, there are a lot of little details to doing this. It's not a major job but you really need to do you research before diving in. Those videos I posted are a great starting point, but you really need to look at other things while you have the jugs off. Hows your cylinders look? Do they need a bore job or maybe just a light hone and new rings? Are you planning on pulling the Pistons out, or just removing the pins and leaving them in the cylinders while you change the guide so you don't need to buy new rings? Like I said, there is a lot to consider than just removing the 2 bolts that hold the guide in and replacing it. Take your time and do the research. It's all here at your fingertips if you look for it. The guys here are great at helping when you get stuck.
 
I've watched his video on pulling the head off and keeping the timing chain up. I was just wandering if it mattered how it goes back on the Cam for re assembly. I'm just changing my front guide.
 
You need to be sure the guide is centered in the tunnel. You also need to be sure the cam and timing chain are installed at tdc along with the timing marks on the rotor. That is a critical. The cam has 2 marks. On the left side of the cam gear is a notch that must be at 12o clock. On the right side is a dot that must be level with the head/rocker cover mounting surface.
 
I was debating on biting the bullet and paying a shop probably an outrageous number to do it. But I think I can handle it. The master for the chain should be at the top of the Cam if it's at TDC. I'll double check make sure the engine is at TDC before I start pulling it apart. I'm going to take a picture of the Cam before I remove the chain. Also I plan on remove the wrist pins leaving the pistons and rings in the cylinder since I have great compression
 
You have much to learn. The cam chain link could be anywhere, and it changes position every revolution. Like I said, you have much to learn. Put the wrenches down before you break something, lol.
 
One of the links posted above seems say how to replace the guide without removing the cam. That means you don't have to remove the jugs and the lower half of the head, which is a big savings in time and money! So read that link and use that method. Bears mentioning that apparently you can get new front guides from Yamaha dealers now; I doubt they are NOS. More expensive than Mike's but another alternative. Be careful to not strip the bolt holes in the front guide so don't go ape on them. If you get torque setting for those bolts somewhere, take it with a grain of salt and be careful not to overtighten.
 
Agreed with 5twins. There is more than enough information on rebuilding the xs650 engine out there to do it. But you should conduct your research before posting numerous threads that have already been discussed. I rebuilt mine solely off of the information found online. I possibly even spent more time researching it than actually doing it! Do your research and you will come out successful. So far ever question you have asked has been answered somewhere on this site twice over.
Good luck sir.
 
B Burdine97 said:
Agreed with 5twins. There is more than enough information on rebuilding the xs650 engine out there to do it. But you should conduct your research before posting numerous threads that have already been discussed. I rebuilt mine solely off of the information found online. I possibly even spent more time researching it than actually doing it! Do your research and you will come out successful. So far ever question you have asked has been answered somewhere on this site twice over.
Good luck sir.
Click to expand...
Yes I've read many many threads on this, just figured I'd post my own thread so if I have any questions that haven't been answered previously, they can be answered.
 

Similar threads

fenbrancis
Quick Guide To Cam Chain Replacement
Replies
7
Views
198
5twins
5twins
NP2650
Early Cam Chain Guide
Replies
8
Views
244
Jim
Jim
IronFist_650
This doesn't look healthy, bits from cam chain tensioner?
Replies
9
Views
439
5twins
5twins
E
Clutch, cam chain questions,
Replies
2
Views
153
Wingedwheel
Wingedwheel
Duck749
78 Special - Top End
Replies
7
Views
385
XSTime
XSTime
Back
Top