Primary Drive Chain Replacement & Tensioner Modification

[GL1000K1dan]

I am about to split the 2 halves of my GL1000 engine apart so that I can replace the Primary Drive Chain and replace the Chain Tensioner with the sping loaded GL1200 Tensioner. My reason for attempting this task was to try and eliminate the 'diesel' clatter that I can hear when the engine is ticking over at idle.
Could anyone give me some advice on what to look for in general, or check/replace certain components while I have the engine open.
I have seen some good stuff regarding trimming the Oil Thrower Plate to assist refitting the engine casing but if anyone could give me further advice then that would be great.

[WingAdmin]

I am about to split the 2 halves of my GL1000 engine apart so that I can replace the Primary Drive Chain and replace the Chain Tensioner with the sping loaded GL1200 Tensioner. My reason for attempting this task was to try and eliminate the 'diesel' clatter that I can hear when the engine is ticking over at idle.
Could anyone give me some advice on what to look for in general, or check/replace certain components while I have the engine open.
I have seen some good stuff regarding trimming the Oil Thrower Plate to assist refitting the engine casing but if anyone could give me further advice then that would be great.

Before you go into this massive effort, have you balanced the carbs? Unbalanced carbs are the main cause of primary chain rattle. Even a tiny difference in carb balance can do it. Also check compression, look for differential between cylinders. If the cylinders are not producing exactly the same amount of power, it sets up resonant pulses that cause that chain rattle.

[GL1000K1dan]

I have had the carbs refurbished by Wingovations. The ignition and static timings are, as far as my ‘expertise’ extends are both good. Both compression and leak checks carried out with good readings from all. Carbs rebalanced and re checked 2 more times. Alas, I still have the dreaded rattle.

Now, it could be that I do not have the necessary ‘honed skills‘ to get all the above spot on but I have done my best. Removing and stripping the engine is drastic but I wanted to eliminate any possible internal issues - hence the primary chain and tensioner replacement, along with the starter chain replacement. I have all the gaskets and seals, and a great selection of different size hammers to get the engine apart

I am at a stage where I need to split the 2 halves of the casing. I anticipate this is going to be the most difficult task of the engine strip down. I have attacked the split line with judicial use of a hide faced mallet but it appears, at this stage, welded together. Of course I do not want to damage the casings so if anyone could give advice on the best way to separate the 2 halves then this would be welcome.

[dingdong]

Reinstall a few of the case bolts almost all the way. Leave about 2 or 3 mm space between bolt head and the case. Tap on the bolt heads to break loose.

[GL1000K1dan]

Pics of the very slack P D Chain.

[WingAdmin]

Wow....that chain was sloppy like a wet noodle! Good job fixing it, the bike looks great!

[GL1000K1dan]

It's rather puzzling why the Primary Drive Chain (PDC) should have stretched so much.
On stripping the engine it was evident that one of the cylinder heads had been removed and refitted (evidenced by way too much gasket sealant used by the PO) but I'm not sure if there is any connection/relation to the slack PDC.
The starter motor drive chain was also very sloppy but I replaced this at the same as the PDC.
Mileage on the clock is approx. 54000 which, according to the previous owner, is genuine. However, maybe I should suspect that this was not the truth and, possibly, the bike has a higher mileage.
The condition of the barrels, pistons, crank and camshafts were all good so I guess I'll never really know what the true mileage is.
Thanks WingAdmin for your generous comment on the bike.

[landisr]

Congrats on a job well done. You are much more brave and skilled than me.

Pretty bike.

Ron in AZ

[GL1000K1dan]

Thanks Ron.
I just followed the Haynes Manual and the great advice from members of this GL1000 forum. Also Randakks and Wingovations.

[Maz]

Nice work, Dan.
Nice looking bike too....but I guess I'm biased.

I look forward to seeing you out on the road sometime.

Maz

[GL1000K1dan]

Hey Maz
Hopefully this summer. I need a well sorted GL1000 to compare against. It's the cable runs that I need to check to ensure mine are routed correctly.

[Old Fogey]

I had a '79 into me (WinGovations) for a rattle with supposedly just 38k miles and the drive chain was just as bad as yours was. It rattled even though the 79 has a sprung tension factory fitted. Although the bores etc looked good, I still think it was at 138k.