XJ900 Engine Chain Noise

Ok so I have an engine sitting on my garage floor at present... 891cc

I pulled it from the bike because I was hearing a noise that sounded like a chain hitting block/cylinder/head during startup.

Engine has done 55k kms (I'm going to assume this is correct because everything I've been told and have found out about the bike suggests this is correct) but it's had the cam chain replaced recently. PO reckons it was done before he got it.

So I pulled the tensioner out... Looks and works fine. When installed it's sitting on it's maximum tension setting and there;s still enough slack in the chain to get the top guide out. Checked no of links in chain and it's the same as one of my other chains.

Now I'm thinking that there has been a failure of a cam chain guide and someone has replaced the cam chain believing this to be the problem, but it's not because there is still a distinctive chain noise when running and this occasional loud noise.

What else could I be looking at? Primary chain? Anything else anyone can think of?

My plan of attack is to pull the cams out so I can check the guides... I want to avoid ripping it apart if possible.

Any help would be appreciated

 

The guide at the front is in correctly? It could be the wrong chain, even if it has the same amount of pins.

 

Front guide looks ok, but I won't know for sure until I remove the cams. Yes, also planning on measuring the chain links to ensure they're the same as my other chains.

 

I doubt you have a new Chain.
If you found the Tensioner all the way out ....
What do you have?

You either have an Old Chain .... or, ...
The Wrong Chain.

The solution to both situations is the same.
To believe you have made the correct decision, ...
You need a NEW Chain.

 

I have a NOS chain but its part no 94500-02120 which fits the 750RK...

Looks like it would fit but I'm not sure

 

According to the XJREF there are no other chains that work in the 900