Cam tensioner tools
- 702scottc
- Posts: 358
- Joined: Tue May 15, 2012 12:12 am
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Motorcycle: 1980 GL1100 Interstate (sold)
1990 GL1500 Aspencade (sold)
2005 GL1800
Cam tensioner tools
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
- Posts: 811
- Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2010 7:18 am
- Location: Zephyrhills, Florida
- Motorcycle: 89 GL1500
03 GL1800
04 GL1800(abs)
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07 GL1800(abs) - Contact:
Re: Cam tensioner tools
Do you have ABS ????
- MikeB
- Posts: 3323
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
184K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
14K Miles - Contact:
Re: Cam tensioner tools
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?
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?
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- 702scottc
- Posts: 358
- Joined: Tue May 15, 2012 12:12 am
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Motorcycle: 1980 GL1100 Interstate (sold)
1990 GL1500 Aspencade (sold)
2005 GL1800
Re: Cam tensioner tools
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
- Posts: 3323
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
184K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
14K Miles - Contact:
Re: Cam tensioner tools
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.
But truthfully, I have not noticed a difference in readings with the cam tensioners loose or not.
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- 702scottc
- Posts: 358
- Joined: Tue May 15, 2012 12:12 am
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Motorcycle: 1980 GL1100 Interstate (sold)
1990 GL1500 Aspencade (sold)
2005 GL1800
Re: Cam tensioner tools
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
- Posts: 3323
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
184K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
14K Miles - Contact:
Re: Cam tensioner tools
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.
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- PastoT
- Posts: 436
- Joined: Sun Jul 01, 2012 9:20 pm
- Location: Mt Home, Idaho
- Motorcycle: 2002 GL1800 (128k)
Re: Cam tensioner tools
Google "K&L Cam Chain Tensioner Holder" they are just over $50
Tom, in Mountain Home, Idaho
2002 GL1800 (Illusion Red) Non-ABS, 128k miles
Retired Air Force
"Audentes Fortuna Juvat"
2002 GL1800 (Illusion Red) Non-ABS, 128k miles
Retired Air Force
"Audentes Fortuna Juvat"
- 702scottc
- Posts: 358
- Joined: Tue May 15, 2012 12:12 am
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Motorcycle: 1980 GL1100 Interstate (sold)
1990 GL1500 Aspencade (sold)
2005 GL1800
Re: Cam tensioner tools
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
- Posts: 436
- Joined: Sun Jul 01, 2012 9:20 pm
- Location: Mt Home, Idaho
- Motorcycle: 2002 GL1800 (128k)
Re: Cam tensioner tools
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.
Tom, in Mountain Home, Idaho
2002 GL1800 (Illusion Red) Non-ABS, 128k miles
Retired Air Force
"Audentes Fortuna Juvat"
2002 GL1800 (Illusion Red) Non-ABS, 128k miles
Retired Air Force
"Audentes Fortuna Juvat"
- GoldWingrGreg
- Posts: 811
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- Motorcycle: 89 GL1500
03 GL1800
04 GL1800(abs)
05 GL1800(abs)
07 GL1800(abs) - Contact:
Re: Cam tensioner tools
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
- Posts: 358
- Joined: Tue May 15, 2012 12:12 am
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Motorcycle: 1980 GL1100 Interstate (sold)
1990 GL1500 Aspencade (sold)
2005 GL1800
Re: Cam tensioner tools
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.
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
- Posts: 743
- Joined: Thu May 21, 2009 9:47 pm
- Location: Geneseo, IL
- Motorcycle: 2007 Gl1800HPNA Blue
2000 GL1500 Pearl Coranado Blue -sold
Re: Cam tensioner tools
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.
It's not what you buy, it's what you build.
- 702scottc
- Posts: 358
- Joined: Tue May 15, 2012 12:12 am
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Motorcycle: 1980 GL1100 Interstate (sold)
1990 GL1500 Aspencade (sold)
2005 GL1800
Re: Cam tensioner tools
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
- Posts: 436
- Joined: Sun Jul 01, 2012 9:20 pm
- Location: Mt Home, Idaho
- Motorcycle: 2002 GL1800 (128k)
Re: Cam tensioner tools
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.
Tom, in Mountain Home, Idaho
2002 GL1800 (Illusion Red) Non-ABS, 128k miles
Retired Air Force
"Audentes Fortuna Juvat"
2002 GL1800 (Illusion Red) Non-ABS, 128k miles
Retired Air Force
"Audentes Fortuna Juvat"
- GoldWingrGreg
- Posts: 811
- Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2010 7:18 am
- Location: Zephyrhills, Florida
- Motorcycle: 89 GL1500
03 GL1800
04 GL1800(abs)
05 GL1800(abs)
07 GL1800(abs) - Contact:
- GoldWingrGreg
- Posts: 811
- Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2010 7:18 am
- Location: Zephyrhills, Florida
- Motorcycle: 89 GL1500
03 GL1800
04 GL1800(abs)
05 GL1800(abs)
07 GL1800(abs) - Contact:
Re: Cam tensioner tools
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.
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.