Timing chain noise please help!!!!!

I have a 1982 kawasaki J model with an 1175cc big bore kit in it to day i was riding it and i thought i heard my timing chain rattinling i was wonderin these tensioners are automatic do they go bad And also how much play should be in your timing chain i have about 1/4 inche to a 1/2 inche is that normal other than that noise i have had no prob with my machine

That sounds like a lot of play in that chain.:huh:
And you probably ARE hearing it.
How many miles on the engine,and have you inspected the tensioner?

More details please...

The automatic timing chain tensioners are notoriously bad on earlier Kaws. Ape sells a great replacement for around 50 bucks. I have not bought one yet. I just removed the crummy bearing from my auto tensioner and tightened my lockbolt to keep it steady. This method has worked so far. I used to have insane chain noise, but this cleared it up. Hope this helps

I thought chain noise was par for the course on the old Kaws. You mean I don't have to have it? I'm going to check into mine now.

I had a similar noise coming from mine after making three passing on the Dragstrip.

Remembered about the CCT today and went out to look see. Removed it and everything looked, nice. Put it back in and adjusted the locknut so that the tensioner could move, since it is automatic. Locked the lockut, start her up and the noise is gone. I can hear the valves a little louder now, but that means they are happy right?!?