cam chain tensioners

The engine was rebuit by someone else and the long front tensioner was not in it...I'm new to working on motorcycle engines so I'm going by the book..and it shows to have all 3 timing chain blocks in the engine. 3rd pic..just freaking out..
 
Yeah, 3rd pic is the perpetually shown backwards install.
Look at post #36, just before your first post.
That lower slipper goes to the rear of the case.

Edit: Still looks goofy, but here's a revised pic.

71-73-Cam-Tensioner-new.jpg
 
Last edited:
Be mindful of the 4 screws that bolt that thing down. 2 should be fully threaded, 2 should have a slight shoulder. The 4 holes in that tensioner block should have 2 that are slightly larger, for those 2 shouldered screws. The 4 mount holes in the case should have 2 with a slight counterbore recess, for those 2 shoulder screws. See if you can see those...
 
TwoManyXS1Bs said:
Be mindful of the 4 screws that bolt that thing down. 2 should be fully threaded, 2 should have a slight shoulder. The 4 holes in that tensioner block should have 2 that are slightly larger, for those 2 shouldered screws. The 4 mount holes in the case should have 2 with a slight counterbore recess, for those 2 shoulder screws. See if you can see those...
Click to expand...
Ok.gotcha! Thanks for everything!
 
Help! I'm doing a top end overhaul on a 1980 XS650 that fell in to my lap. The pistons had seized in the bores, so it needed some love and attention. I figured that I should probably replace the Cam Chain tensioner while I have the engine apart. Trouble is that I've read on this forum that the MikeXS stuff is not good and I should stay away from their stuff. I assume I just need the front "Guide Stopper 1" as the parts books refer to it as. My problem is that MikeXS is the only place I can actually find one for less than $100. Does anyone know of an alternative supplier - or can you tell me wether then one I have is worn or not. It does have a 'U' shapped profile, but i'm not sure if that is to keep the chain tracked correctly.
 
Bit of a random question that I thought I'd post here since I've seen it come up a couple times on various posts without a clear answer.

Just picked up one of the 750 BBK kits and reading up in preparation for the job. My bike isn't close by currently, so can't just go out and measure or anything.

I have the stock "type C" tensioner assembly in my 74 TX650A. This has the 6-hole mount plate, lock nut, and larger "long acorn" cap that screws into threads on the plate (doesn't screw into the tensioner itself). I've seen with the BBK kits that the plate isn't required, and the tensioner screw just screws right into the new BBK cylinder. It seems like reading through this thread that there are some differences with the lengths of the tensioner screws and the pistons. From what I've read people have reported success using the Type D and Type E, but I haven't seen anything about the Type C (which is a bit different and thus the questions). My questions are:
  • Can my Type C tensioner-screw thread right into the BBK cylinder? (and is the length of the tensioner screw correct?)
  • Do I need to get one of the newer style acorn caps that screws right onto the threads of the tensioner? Will that work with my Type C? Per @5twins post earlier in this thread, it seems like keeping the stand-alone lock nut (as with the Type E) is preferable to just using the acorn as the lock nut (like the Type D).
I'll probably go down to work on my bike in the next few weeks, so I'm glad to see what I find and report back. I'm just trying to be proactive and order the new cap/gasket/whatever else I might need if I can. Thanks everyone.
 
TwoManyXS1Bs said:
That eBay vendor, out of Lockhart, Tx, is a big seller of NOS parts. I've had good dealings with them.

Your first link is for an OEM early '70 XS1 front guide. It's flat, not a curved channel shape as used on '72-up engines.

Your 2nd link is for the later 447-type rear tensioners.

Can't intermix tensioner parts, early and late.

If you're working with later 447 stuff, the fellows here recommend boats.net for parts. Their front guides are new manufacture, not 45-year-old plastic...
Click to expand...
When you say buy from boats.net which category do you choose, wave runner, outboard...?
 
Paj said:
When you say buy from boats.net which category do you choose, wave runner, outboard...?
Click to expand...
Boats.net used to be a good source for OEM Yamaha motorcycle parts... bought a time or two from 'em.
They dropped their motorcycle inventory three or four years ago.
 

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