Hello all,
Been a lurker for quite a while and have learned a lot by reading ( and re-reading) the posts here. Let me say from the get-go, that I really appreciate all the good advice here. You folks have really helped me on the bike thus far, and I greatly appreciate all the contributions!!
I have a 1980 Special that I received in semi-running condition. Bike is in very good condition. Over the process of time, and using the posts here, I have replaced the rotor, cleaned the carbs and got it to start and run on a regular basis.
There is, what sounds to me, a pronounced sounding "chain noise" from the engine. Keep in mind, that I only heard this bike run one time briefly before buying it, and did not know much about these bikes then. So, I don't really know what "normal" sounds like. This noise seems significant, but I have read that these bikes are noisy. But I thought I would ask the experts. I started looking at the cam chain tensioner adjustments.
So, I have been reading up on the cam chain tensioner. The posts I have read here don't seem to address what I see when I try to adjust the tensioner. Or I am more clueless than I thought and not understanding the posts! I took the tensioner assembly off, and the rod, spring, copper washer and adjuster all look OK. FWIW, while I had the tensioner off, I noticed that if I compress the rod all the way, the tip just comes even with the outside of the tensioner. Don't know if this is normal.
When I have the tensioner mounted, no matter how far in I adjust it in, or how far out, the tip of the rod stays below the surface of the end of the tensioner about 1/8th inch as I rotate the rotor. It does not seem to move. EXCEPT for one brief spot where the tip of the rod jumps out dramatically to flush or a bit further depending on its current setting, and as I continue to rotate it jumps back in to where it was.
I also tried doing some adjustments while idling, and the chain noise does not seem to change at all.
So based on all the posts, where is the 1-2 mm to be measured? Is this the distance it "jumps" from inside the hole to its furthest extension? Or is the rod supposed to be moving apart from that "jump"?
Hope this makes sense. I appreciate any advice you can give. Haven't ridden the bike yet, but anxious to do so.
Thanks in advance!!
Been a lurker for quite a while and have learned a lot by reading ( and re-reading) the posts here. Let me say from the get-go, that I really appreciate all the good advice here. You folks have really helped me on the bike thus far, and I greatly appreciate all the contributions!!
I have a 1980 Special that I received in semi-running condition. Bike is in very good condition. Over the process of time, and using the posts here, I have replaced the rotor, cleaned the carbs and got it to start and run on a regular basis.
There is, what sounds to me, a pronounced sounding "chain noise" from the engine. Keep in mind, that I only heard this bike run one time briefly before buying it, and did not know much about these bikes then. So, I don't really know what "normal" sounds like. This noise seems significant, but I have read that these bikes are noisy. But I thought I would ask the experts. I started looking at the cam chain tensioner adjustments.
So, I have been reading up on the cam chain tensioner. The posts I have read here don't seem to address what I see when I try to adjust the tensioner. Or I am more clueless than I thought and not understanding the posts! I took the tensioner assembly off, and the rod, spring, copper washer and adjuster all look OK. FWIW, while I had the tensioner off, I noticed that if I compress the rod all the way, the tip just comes even with the outside of the tensioner. Don't know if this is normal.
When I have the tensioner mounted, no matter how far in I adjust it in, or how far out, the tip of the rod stays below the surface of the end of the tensioner about 1/8th inch as I rotate the rotor. It does not seem to move. EXCEPT for one brief spot where the tip of the rod jumps out dramatically to flush or a bit further depending on its current setting, and as I continue to rotate it jumps back in to where it was.
I also tried doing some adjustments while idling, and the chain noise does not seem to change at all.
So based on all the posts, where is the 1-2 mm to be measured? Is this the distance it "jumps" from inside the hole to its furthest extension? Or is the rod supposed to be moving apart from that "jump"?
Hope this makes sense. I appreciate any advice you can give. Haven't ridden the bike yet, but anxious to do so.
Thanks in advance!!