Need help finding the right cam chain tensioner

Hi everyone, I have searched the web and to my frustration have not found the information i am looking for. I have an 81 kz650 csr with a faulty cam chain tensioner(its the automatic wedge type). I cleaned it and now it kind of works but i don't trust it. I want to replace it with an old manual type tensioner. I have looked on ebay but i really don't know what i'm looking for. My question is what year/model came with a manual type tensioner that i can swap onto my bike without modification?...and what does it look like so i can find it on fleabay? I would like to pick up a used part because that will be cheapest. probably an easy question for some of you gurus but i am new to these bikes. thanks everyone
-Calvin

You might want to look at this aftermarket option.

www.kriegercamchaintensioners.com/

No air-cooled Kaw ever came with a manual cam chain tensioner, that I can recall of. You can try the link the mwriders sent you or APE makes a manual tensioner too but it's a bit more expensive. Here's the link to APE's.

Later, Doug

StreetfighterKz wrote: No air-cooled Kaw ever came with a manual cam chain tensioner, that I can recall of. You can try the link the mwriders sent you or APE makes a manual tensioner too but it's a bit more expensive. Here's the link to APE's.

Later, Doug

Actually many of them did. My KZ650-C1 is only one example, there are plenty of others. Note that they are not made the same way as the APE tensioners, so maybe that's why the confusion. Ed

650ed wrote: Actually many of them did. My KZ650-C1 is only one example, there are plenty of others. Note that they are not made the same way as the APE tensioners, so maybe that's why the confusion. Ed

I'm talking about the APE design. I'm aware that on some of the bikes you had to loosen a bolt and then a spring would push on the plunger, but I was talking about a fully manual "user sets the tension" tensioner.

later, Doug

thank you for the quick replies, I have seen the APE tensioner and i am looking for something a bit cheaper. I guess a better question is what stock tensioner is considered reliable? My design allows the plunger that keeps the chain taught to push back due to the weak springs, i want something that will stay in place once it is taught.

The original KZ650-B1 / C1 tensioner (also used on some other models) is 100% reliable as long as the owner adjusts it according to the manual as part of the regular maintenance. As StreetfighterKZ points out, to adjust it you loosen a bolt, a spring moves the plunger in to apply pressure to the cam chain, then you tighten the bolt; it cannot retract on its own like the automatic tensioners. When adjusting it you must rotate the crankshaft to a certain position as described in the Owner's and Service Manuals so the slack is removed from the cam chain.

Even though I suspect it will fit the later KZ650s, I do not know if it will work properly because the later bikes have Hy-vo cam chains instead of roller chains like the early models. Maybe someone here has made the switch and can provide first-hand experience. Ed