Cam chain adjustment?

Hi all,tried my hand at the cam chain adjustment this afternoon and came across a couple issues.First,I didn't feel or hear any click that I have read about on this subject.Just loosened it up a few turns because I wasn't sure how far to go then tightened it back down to specs as manual states.BTW,manual says nothing about any clicks.Second issue,noticed no difference in engine sound or any diffence in running.Now the bike has 9273 miles on it and I am wondering if it just wasn't ready for an adjustment or did I do it wrong?I did get it to TDC before adjustment also.Any help is very much appreciated.

 

I'm not sure about your model, but mine has an automatic adjuster.
Maybe yours does too. Mine has a bolt head on it and looks like it could be adjusted, but mine is automatic.

 

sorry,I have a seca 750 rh.According to my manual,you are supposed to do it manually by turning the locknut and adjustment bolt out then back in and it is done.Thanx for the reply jdrich48.

 

Kenny, your tensioner is an automatic. The click that the book mentions is usually from the fully retracted position (a condition only encountered at installation). If you heard nothing and it runs right, the tensioner is doing it's job. With as few miles as you've got on the beast, I don't think you need worry about adjustment anyway. Did you rotate the motor around in the correct direction at least twice? TDC is not necessary but the rotation in the correct direction is. I wish I could take a picture of my tensioner so you could see how it works. The adjustment is as simple as it seems, loosen the locknut and then the bolt. Tighten bolt and then locknut. Easy day.

 

Thanx for the relpy robert.Yes I did turn motor over 3times clockwise to make sure it was TDc as book said.The only reason for adjustment was to see if it make sure she was ready for riding season,just got it in November and I have been tinkering on it all winter.I had the carbs cleaned and adjusted at a local reputable shop off the bike.For $80 dollars he went through everything and made all the adjustments to get her running.Now here is the weird part,he says it doesnt need synched,or colortuned as he did all the adjustments already(off the bike).Now the bike runs real strong,idles nice,starts fine,but it is a little cold natured as I have to run off choke gradually taking approx. 10 min.,then its good.I have fouled plugs out a couple times when it was too cold to go for much a ride but lately it has been ok since I started running Champion plugs.What do ya think??????

 

It's the plugs, get NGK's. All of my Japanese machines hate Champions! I would say that for $80 bucks you got what you paid for. I hate to disagree with the gentleman but part of a tune up is to "tune" everything once you have baselined the system (ie off bike settings). You cannot adjust a set of carbs off of the bike and get them optimized in this fashion. Each cylinder has different characteristics based on wear patterns and particulars that are unique to each and the carbs must be made to adjust for each cylinders needs (that is why it is called a tune up as you tune the unit for optimum). I would have a polite chat with the fellow and tell him that something isn't quite right until it has been syncronized. Otherwise, it sounds like you have a competent mechanic, get him trained right!

 

Just had to add that I just put Champions in my bike. Time for another poll!

 

You first Jazz, I'm never using them again. I ran in succession, Champions, Splitfires, Autolights, NDs, and NGKs. Of all of them the NGKs ran the best. Splitfires aren't worth spit and the Champions ran poorly. I've also run them in my V-8s. The Autolights were best for my GTO's, everything else got eaten and fouled out way too early. I used to run strictly Bosch in my VW's (and still do for the air-cooled ones) but I run Autolights for all the water-cooled ones (hardest electrode in the industry according to the brochure, and I'll attest to the longevity). I guess I've experimented with just about everything (yes, even Beru). Champions had a nasty habit of seizing in the heads of my Mustangs and GTOs so I had to let them go after breaking too darn many of them (the porcelain would crack and shatter often).

 

One missed point guys, when setting the automatic cam tensioner the engine is not set at TDC but rather at the C mark. And yes I have found that NGK's are the best.

 

Spot on with the C mark bluemaxim. also spot on with NGK's.

My XJ550 workshop manual actually specifys NGK plugs.

I've used them in every vehicle I've owned for the last twenty years and never had a failure. well worth the extra couple of bucks.

 

HI All. Cam chain adjuster should be automatic on this machine. I did notice that kenny2coo said in his third message that he had turned the engine Clockwise 3turns. Unless this is an 1100cc the engine runs counter clockwise. Not that I think it would mater much with the auto adjuster.
I would never put Champions in a Jap. bike. They only work well in Chry. products or lawn mower. NGK's work very well and most bikes call for them. I personaly like the ND's hot U plugs. I have found that cold weather starts are confussung for most people due to the enrichner curcuit. They don't work like a Chock at all and most folks think Chock.
When starting a cold bike in cold weather. Set the enrichner to on, add no throtle at all untill the engine starts and is running. Now slowly back off on the lever and crank the throtle a few low reeves. Once this can done with out dieing Slap it in gear and ride down the road half mile or so and then release it totally. Keeping it open to long will only cause a leaner condistion. Give that a try if all is right with your bike it works every time.

 

sorry about the confusion,shoulda detailed a little mor.I did set it at the 'c' mark but I was under the assumption that 'c' was TDC.As far as the champion plugs go,has been running great with no fouling problems since installation.Thanx for the input,all opinions are very helpful.