balance chain tensioner system upgrade
Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2000 12:59 am
I just completed the upgrade (that can be done without splitting the cases) of the balance chain tensioner system. This involves adding a part (92200-1263, Washer - 6.5 x 12 x 2), upgrading two parts with a later revision (92150-1923, Bolt, Idler Adjuster & 92144-1860, Idler Spring), and replacing a part with a new one (670B1507, 7mm O-Ring).
The revised Idler Spring has, I believe, a slightly larger diameter wire than the old one, and definitely has more resistance to elongation.
The original Bolt, Idler Adjuster had a shoulder that was in direct contact with the Lever, Idler Shaft. On the revised Bolt, Idler Adjuster this shoulder has a larger O.D., and this shoulder is now in contact with the added Washer which is in turn now in contact with the Lever Idler Shaft. BTW, the O.D. of this washer is a little larger than the O.D. of the shoulder on the revised Bolt, Idler Adjuster. The other change to the Bolt, Idler Adjuster is the plane of the shoulder is further away from the tip of the bolt by about the thickness of the washer - this allows the O-Ring to seat in about the same position within the Magneto Cover as it always did.
These changes will have some effect, I believe, on how and how often you perform the recommended "balance chain tension - adjustment". Because the new spring has more tension than the old spring, I think that will induce wear and elongation of the chain faster than before. Therefore, you would want to perform the adjustment more frequently than every 5,000km as called out in the maintenance table. With the old Bolt, Idler Adjuster (with the smaller O.D. shoulder), I could definitely see deformation of the Lever Idler Shaft on my KLR - hence the need on this design to back out the Bolt, Idler Adjuster further before retightening it. With the new Bolt, Idler Adjuster & Washer arrangement that increases the surface area in contact with the Lever Idler Shaft, there should be less deformation of the Lever Idler Shaft and therefore less need to back the Bolt out as far before retightening. There has been discussion on the list before about how many turns out before retightening. I was able to turn the new Bolt, Idler Adjuster out nine turns before it came out of the threaded recess it screws into. So it seems to me that there is more risk in not turning it out enough to allow the spring to make the adjustment than turning it out so far the washer drops off. Or, am I missing something? BTW, what the Bolt, Idler Adjustment does is act as lock to keep the Lever Idle Shaft in the same position between adjustments. Then, when you loosen the Bolt, Idler Adjustment, the Spring can do its work in resetting the position of the Lever Idle Shaft and thus the tension of the Balancer Chain.
At least on the older models like mine, there is a little gotcha in all this: The larger O.D. on the shoulder of the Bolt, Idler Adjuster (not to mention the ever bigger O.D. on the washer) will no longer allow the Bolt, Idler Adjuster to pass through the hole in the Magneto Cover.
Richard in Tucson
94 KLR650
86 VFR750