Cam cahin tensioner removal

[ChrisB]

I need to swap my starter motor but the adjusting bolt on the tensioner is longer than standard meaning i can"t remove the motor without taking the tensioner bolt right out or removing the tensioner body. Can anyone tell me if I will be at risk of the cam chain going so slack as to maybe drop off the crankshaft? Is there a way of keeping tension on the chain so as not to risk disturbing the cam timing? Thanks team!

[zed1015]

You will be ok removing the tensioner bolt as long as you don't rotate the engine until it's put back in.

[chrisu]

i'd set the engine to TDC as well..........

[ChrisB]

ok thanks guys. I have seen a lip on the outside end of the tapered shaft which i thought may mean that loosening the bolt was ok but removing it wasn't.

[Philippe]

Hi ChrisB

what kind of bike do you have?
If it's a bike with a manual chain tensioner take a look at the point of the bolt. It should be sharpened a bit if it isn't.
If it's a bike with an automatic chain tensioner ( Z1000 MK2, H or ST) find yourself a bolt of the correct lenght!
When you put the bolt back in: don't overdo it, you could crack the tensioner or damage the thread inside.
Good luck!
Greetings from Belgium
Philippe

[ChrisB]

That's the problem, Phillipe. Someone has used a bolt which is too long. I'll put in a more suitable bolt when i do the job!
It's as much about finding the time to get in to my garage!

[ChrisB]

It's a Z1000A1 by the way, so an automatic tensioner.

[z1bman]

it wouldn't be an automatic tensioner on a z1000 a1 unless someone has changed it the automatic tensioners where only introduced on the mk11 engine & onwards

[warren3200gt]

my A1 is manual.

[z1bman]

this is the bolt for the automatic tensioner

[z1bman]

this is what you should have for the a1 manual tensioner

[ChrisB]

yep, that's what i 'should' have. What i've got is a 30-45mm allen headed M6 bolt!

[Philippe]

Hi Chris

when nobody changed the tensioner in the past, your's should not be an automatic but a manually operated one.
When it's a manual operated tensioner, the lenght of the bolt doesn't matter, only the point should be a little sharper.
Try to figure that out.
Good luck
Philippe