Wilsons Sandbox

drainr@... wrote: [...]

> Still have not checked the valve adjustment, the only thing that worries me now > is the cam chain, though there is no noise from the engine, im tempted to get it > checked out pretty soon and at the same time reluctant to touch anything on the > engine. If it aint broke, dont fix it.

[...] This reminds me of a post of mine some time ago. Camchains stretch, sure, but when you run out of tensioner travel is when then chain can flap around and you need to worry. Having the ratchet type tensioner makes it quite easy to check its remaining travel. To do this you need to be comfortable with removing, resetting and refitting the tensioner. Just remove the cap and spring, then unbolt the tensioner from the cylinder block. If you push in the guts of the tensioner (as would the spring when installed) then it should click at least once as if to take up more chain slack. If there is no more travel left at all then start planning a camchain change. Of course, once the tensioner is fully extended you need to release the ratchet and return the tensioner to a fully retracted position. Bolt the tensioner back on the cylinder block and refit the spring and retaining cap as per factory procedures. You could get involved and remove the cam cover and measure a camchain segment length as per factory specs. I'm surprised that Kawasaki don't have a special measuring tool to check the chain segment length. All you would need is a length of metal at the precise length spec'd as the max length of whatever number of pins it says in the book. Make a mark along the tool at the minimum length spec and you have a simple go/no-go measuring stick. However, checking for tensioner-travel-remaining is more relevent and easier, IMO. Mister_T