Cam tensioner tools

[702scottc]

I want to check the valve clearance on my bike, runs fine but has 83 k on it and I'm not sure they have ever been checked. Where can I get the tools to release the tensioner? Dealer wants $500 to check them, more than I'm willing to pay.

[GoldWingrGreg]

Do you have ABS ????

[MikeB]

You will not like the price; they are over $75 each and can be obtained from Partzilla (https://www.partzilla.com/).

Tensioner holder A - 07ZMG-MCAA300, Tensioner holder B - 07ZMG-MCAA400

Tensioner A is really all you will need. It is the same as Tensioner B but has a rod that can be inserted in the hole in the knurled knob so that the holding rod and cord can be used.

Greg, what is the significance between ABS or not when doing a valve clearance check? The ABS modulators are not in the way are they?

[702scottc]

Thanks for the info. Can you get by with just 1 and check 1 side at a time? I found a local shop that has the tools and will check them for $150 and if the cams have to be removed it's $300 out the door. It's a reputable shop that's been around a while. I'm tempted just to drop the bike off. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea of having to release the tension to check the valves? The only difference between static and slack would be the oil clearance on the cams.

[MikeB]

In the service manual it says "Failure to loosen the cam chain tensioners will result in inaccurate valve clearance measurement, due to the force of the cam chain on the camshaft."
But truthfully, I have not noticed a difference in readings with the cam tensioners loose or not.

[702scottc]

Honesly I think I`m going to leave it alone, runs great no noise of any kind. Its more of a peace of mind issue rather than it needing to be done. Based on what I`ve read from others, valve issues are non-issues on the 1800 engine.

[MikeB]

While no noise is normal, keep in mind that the valve lash tightens as it wears, not loosens. So you will not hear any tappet noise. The clearance only gets tighter with age.

[PastoT]

Google "K&L Cam Chain Tensioner Holder" they are just over $50

[702scottc]

Thanks, I like that price better. I ordered 1. I'll just check 1 side at a time, might take longer but at least I'll know.

[PastoT]

That's exactly my plan on the morning. I just replaced coils and stripped my 02 down so I can check valves first thing in the morning while my patience and eyesight is better. I bought a metric feeler gauge, tensioner and shim kit a couple months ago.

[GoldWingrGreg]

Greg, what is the significance between ABS or not when doing a valve clearance check? The ABS modulators are not in the way are they?

ABS and non-ABS requires a different tool ... that's why Honda makes 2 tools. The ABS modulator on the right side interferes.

Be sure to get a tool that is no fatter then the OEM tool. Depending on a frame weld just above the tension on the right side, on rare occasions, the OEM tool is to fat to use.

[702scottc]

Mine is a non-abs model so the K&L tool should work fine on both sides. It's smaller than the one Honda shows in the manual. I may just break down and order another so I can do both sides at once, still a $50 savings over the honda tools. What shim kit would you recommend? I probably should get a new feeler gauge as well.
It's pretty warm down here this time of year, hit 114 on Wednesday. Hard to get motivated to tear into a project like this till after a Labor Day.lol. A co-worker and myself are riding to Georgia in late July to look at a new bus we have purchased at work. Gonna hit the Tail of the Dragon on the ride home. Probably pull it down when we return when I service it.

[keithg64]

Is there any info on a diy chain tensioners. I'm a machinist and can make just about anything but I haven't seen a lot of info on this.

[702scottc]

I'm sure you can make tools that will work. Buy a used tensioner from eBay and play around with it. A flat blade screwdriver and a locking device would do it.

[PastoT]

The one I linked to, worked well on my non ABS 02. Real issue was working around the cooling hoses top right side, it's pretty tight there and the tool is almost to long to insert into the tensioner but it worked well otherwise.

[GoldWingrGreg]

It's pretty warm down here this time of year, hit 114 on Wednesday.

FYI ... when adjusting valves on a 5th gen, the engine temp must be below 95 degs.

[GoldWingrGreg]

Valve lash changes for mainly 2 reasons on GL1800s. First, over time valve seat further into the seat. Second, is cam bearing wear between the cam-shaft and the head. Bearing wear starts out tight when new (about 0.001") and as the mileage racks up will increase to about (0.003"). It takes about 100,000-150,000 miles to reach 0.003". Frequent oil changes and air filter changes will have a lot to do with how fast cam bearings wear. Max spec. is 0.004".

Checking valve clearance without de-tensioning has no value. The check we need is only done when the valves are de-tensioned.

Valve that are adjusted correctly can offer any or all of the following:
- quicker starts
- better throttle response
- smoother running
- better mpg

Basically, those benefits are achieved when an equal volume of air/fuel mixture explodes in the combustion chamber. With valve out of adjustment, equal volume is not possible.