Home made Manual Cam Chain Tensioner

Hi guys! I just wanted to share with you my new handcrafted cam chain tensioner for my KZ750. SteveMS, from the kz650.info forum sent me the blue prints, my greeting to him . I made it at my work maintenance shop (textile factory in Argentina). Please, let me know what you all think of it.

Thanks!

Very nice work!! Is that the Lujan cathedral in your picture?

Yes, that`s it! Have you visited it?

I went there once I finished the Kaw to get it blessed.

Yes I was there as a kid before I immigrated to Canada, God I miss Argentina.

Its as good or better than store bought....very nice piece....

Looks Great. Let us know how it works for you.

Thanks for the compiments Street Fighter LTD and 4theKZ1000.

Mopguy, if you ever come back to visit Argentina, let me know so we can ride my KZ around.

God willing I will see my motherland once again!

I machined a set for manual tensioners for my vn700 about 2 years ago and they work great I have make some for a few people now. I saved the cnc mill program and fixture for future use. I will be making one for my kz1100 spectre. Nice work BTW.

Here is my version of a manual timing chain tensioner that I made using the stock one. I made this one in 1979 when I realized the stock one was not tightening the timing chain enough. I have used this tensioner for over 30 years with no issues.

1. Take the tensioner off the bike and dissasemble.
2. Drill a 1/4" hole on the very back.
3. Install a 6mm x 1mm helicoil in the hole
4. Find a long enough 6mm x 1mm bolt with nut and install into the heli coiled hole.
5. Re-assemble the tensioner and install on bike.
6. After you adjusted the tensioner per the manual screw in the bolt on the back of the tensioner until it starts to get tight, (do this by hand no tools.)
7. Turn the engine over using the 12mm bolt under the ignition as you hand tighten the bolt behind the tensioner.
8. Keep doing this until all the slack is out of the chain. You will know because you will not be able to turn the bolt any more by hand, again, NO TOOLS.
9. Tighten the stock lock bolt and nut on the tensioner then tighten the lock nut on the bolt you just put on the tensioner and your done.

Total cost is about $15.00 for a machine shop to install the helicoil or if you already have a kit then about .50 cents.

baldy110 wrote: Here is my version of a manual timing chain tensioner that I made using the stock one. I made this one in 1979 when I realized the stock one was not tightening the timing chain enough. I have used this tensioner for over 30 years with no issues.

1. Take the tensioner off the bike and dissasemble.
2. Drill a 1/4" hole on the very back.
3. Install a 6mm x 1mm helicoil in the hole
4. Find a long enough 6mm x 1mm bolt with nut and install into the heli coiled hole.
5. Re-assemble the tensioner and install on bike.
6. After you adjusted the tensioner per the manual screw in the bolt on the back of the tensioner until it starts to get tight, (do this by hand no tools.)
7. Turn the engine over using the 12mm bolt under the ignition as you hand tighten the bolt behind the tensioner.
8. Keep doing this until all the slack is out of the chain. You will know because you will not be able to turn the bolt any more by hand, again, NO TOOLS.
9. Tighten the stock lock bolt and nut on the tensioner then tighten the lock nut on the bolt you just put on the tensioner and your done.

Total cost is about $15.00 for a machine shop to install the helicoil or if you already have a kit then about .50 cents.

we think alike :laugh: I did the same mod to my stock tensioner many years ago before the cool looking billet tensioners, not fancy but it does the job :ohmy:

Very clever Baldy110. Nice work too.