cam chain

my 81 650 cam chain is making some noise,i think it is the cam chain, bike has 10,000 miles,about 800 of them are mine.im pretty sure it has never been adjusted. it has a hex bolt with a lock nut,so it looks adjustable? is there a 'how to' on the site for this or can someone be kind enough to post one thanks in advance

 

Easy as can be. Remove the ignition (left-hand crankcase) cover (4 big screws, mine says YICS on it) and turn the crankshaft carefully COUNTERCLOCKWISE with a 19mm wrench until the "C" mark aligns with the pointer. Using a deep 12mm socket on a reasonably long extension, loosen the lock nut (the socket slips past the bolt head) then use a 10mm to loosen the bolt itself (just a turn or two, don't take it out.) You should hear the tensioner go click as it takes up the slack. I usually tap GENTLY on the tensioner body from the other side just to be sure it's not stuck. Retighten the bolt and torque to 51 INCH/pounds (6nm.) Retighten the nut and torque to 78 INCH/pounds (9nm.) Neither of those torque specs are terribly tight, but they are exactly right and necessary. You have a steel bolt threading into an alloy housing, please borrow a torque wrench if you don't have one. Remember most big torque wrenches are in FOOT pounds, don't snap something off...Put the cover back on, and you're done. also: At 10,000 miles your bike is overdue for a valve clearance check and possible adjustment. While not HORRIBLY complicated this is not something you should attempt without a service manual. You're going to need to make that investment, or at least order the XJ CD...

 

That should be made a sticky, Fitz.

 

I wouldn't mind, thanks.