cam chain auto adjust

803 Views 33 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Sidecar Bob, 9 d ago

Phronsias

Discussion Starter · 18 d ago

Hello
Has the GL500 got a cam chain auto tensioner?
Thanks in advance
Frank

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Randall-in-Mpls

· #2 · 18 d ago

That depends on the market the bike was made for. If you have an import from North America, it will be manual. Otherwise, it might have the auto tensioner.
It's easy to tell the difference. Just look for the adjustment bolt forward of the timing inspection cover.

Phronsias

Discussion Starter · #3 · 18 d ago

Thanks Randall
A bloke on FB told me
"did you check the camshaft chain tensioners?
on mine those broke and the camshaft chain did eat away the aluminum inside the block".
Should I be worried about this?

Randall-in-Mpls

· #4 · 18 d ago

The auto tensioner should be inspected (using a small mirror or endoscope) at the same interval as manual adjustment. I do it at every oil change. The auto is maintenance free until it fails. Then it can be catastrophic.

Reactions: 1

nolimitz

· #5 · 17 d ago

Phronsias said:
Thanks Randall
A bloke on FB told me
"did you check the camshaft chain tensioners?
on mine those broke and the camshaft chain did eat away the aluminum inside the block".
Should I be worried about this?

Sorry to be an azz, but you have been here for 6 years and you don't know what tensioner you have. Some Bloke asked me??

Reactions: 1

CXPHREAK

· #6 · 17 d ago

That's a well maintained bike.

Phronsias

Discussion Starter · #7 · 17 d ago (Edited)

nolimitz said:
Sorry to be an azz, but you have been here for 6 years and you don't know what tensioner you have. Some Bloke asked me??

Hello
I am not a mechanic and to a mechinic my questions will sound child like. The bloke on FB "Told me" not "Asked me"
Yes I joined this group 6 years ago and I bought my first CX in 1984 , I drive motorbikes ,thats it,if its not broke,I wont fix it, however "prevention is better than cure" and if I need to do anything to maintain my bikes ,I will.
I am grateful for the help I received over the years and am sorry for my ignorance. If I dont ask,I will not learn.

Reactions: 1

Phronsias

Discussion Starter · #8 · 17 d ago

CXPHREAK said:
That's a well maintained bike.

I maintain my bikes to the best of my ability,If my questions are annoying or foolish ,just tell me,Im a big boy.if you want me to leave this forum again .tell me. I am greatful for the help but understand it may be time for me to go,

Reactions: 1

CXPHREAK

· #9 · 17 d ago

Nothing foolish about your questions.

But in all of that period you should have looked at this for the good of your own machine.

You are correct, if you don't ask you don't learn. Sometimes the answers are not the ones we were seeking or expected.

And I doubt that there's a single member here who wants you to leave the forum.

Peace dude.

Reactions: 1

Phronsias

Discussion Starter · #10 · 17 d ago (Edited)

CXPHREAK said:
Nothing foolish about your questions.

But in all of that period you should have looked at this for the good of your own machine.

You are correct, if you don't ask you don't learn. Sometimes the answers are not the ones we were seeking or expected.

And I doubt that there's a single member here who wants you to leave the forum.

Peace dude.

Thank you CXPHREAK
Yesterday was the first time in 3 years I took a bike out for a spin, But if members dont mind my questions Im more than happy to keep asking.
All the best
Frank

CXPHREAK

· #11 · 17 d ago

It's actually admirable in your circumstances that you ride and wrench at all.

Keep at it and keep posting.

And in my neck of the woods we insult each other as a matter of course.

Phronsias

Discussion Starter · #12 · 17 d ago

CXPHREAK said:
It's actually admirable in your circumstances that you ride and wrench at all.

Keep at it and keep posting.

And in my neck of the woods we insult each other as a matter of course.

Life goes on, I dont mind insults,

Reactions: 1

richnct

· #13 · 17 d ago

Every one of us is on a learning curve with our bikes, some are steeper than others, some started 20 years or more ago. Some are in front of you, others will surely follow, climb on! This is exactly the forum to climb with.

Reactions: 1

Sidecar Bob

· #14 · 17 d ago

As for not being "a mechanic", most of us aren't but we have learned that a certain amount of mechanical work is pretty much necessary if you are going to keep any antique vehicle safe & reliable. The trick is to learn as much as you can before you start working so that you can do what is required in the most efficient way.
Asking questions on forums (yes, and even on Facebook) can help but the best way to make your wrenching time easier is to read through the Factory Shop Manual and familiarize yourself with the bike before you start so you don't have to spend time figuring out what is where while you are in pain.

I was taught to do this while sitting on a milk crate beside the bike so that I could look at what I was reading about. Milk crates here are plastic boxes about a foot square and a little less in height, which puts you at a good height to see the mechanical parts. That was great for me 35 years ago but it gets harder to get up & down from them every year (arthritis plus aging) so while I may not have the same condition you have I do understand a bit what it is like for working on things to be "uncomfortable".
Perhaps you could get an old swivel office chair for the shop area and adjust it to the height that does work well for you.

Re riding time vs wrenching time yes, because of normal wear & tear more maintenance is needed when you use a bike more BUT when you use it less the ratio of wrenching time to riding time increases because they deteriorate just sitting there.
After 3 years of disuse I would expect to need to perform a full maintenance including (but not limited to) carefully examining the tires (including checking the date codes and replacing them if they are 5 years old), rotating the engine through several cycles manually and then checking the valve clearances and the camchain condition plus setting the camchain tensioner if required.
A similar amount of work would be advisable for any vehicle that hasn't been used for several years (even if it was brand new when stored) and depending on the length of the ride it could easily take longer than the ride itself but failing to perform the necessary maintenance could lead to disaster.

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Newt

· #15 · 17 d ago

@Phronsias

You might do yourself a favor. Find a Clymers maintenance book for these bikes. Read through it. Be aware, it is not the best reference, but it will give you a good idea of what is what on these bikes. Afterwards, when your understanding is deeper, download the Factory Service Manual. That has accurate details for bike repair.

Meanwhile, find the Service Interval for the specific items on the bike. Most are pretty easy and simple to perform. I will do the maintenance level service each riding season. Adjust valve clearance, adjust cam chain, change oil/filter, change plugs, change air filter, lube driveshaft, adjust clutch, adjust brakes. If I'm really motivated, I'll check the balance on the carbs and dial in the idle. Although, the carbs are pretty stable. Otherwise, its a check at each fuel fill for tire pressure, oil level, air shock pressure.

Sidecar Bob

· #16 · 17 d ago

A Haynes book would be better than the Clymer and probably easier to find in the UK. Clymer just has too much bad advice (like forks shouldn't be serviced at home) and misinformation.

Newt

· #17 · 16 d ago

Either would be a reasonable primer for a deeper understanding of the bike and would make the FSM more understandable.

As good as the FSM is, it doesn't give all the fine details. It is mostly a guide for Honda trained mechanics. So, not all the in-between steps are detailed.

DouginEasternWashington

· #18 · 16 d ago

It is much better to stick with the FSM. A primer with false information will just add confusion. If more info is needed, come here to the forum and ask. The knowledge base here along with everyone’s eagerness to help someone out is really all that’s needed to keep one of these bikes on the road. No need to muddy the waters with crappy manuals.

Reactions: 1

reclinedrelic

· #19 · 16 d ago

A general book on motorcycles may help the OP to learn how these machines operate before a deep dive into how to repair them. The owners manual is also worth reading as the target audience was the buying public rather than a repair or service technician.

Reactions: 2

Newt

· #20 · 16 d ago

Doug. I agree to an extent.

Much confusion can result from text when the incorrect terms are used to define a problem. This is the basic understanding that can be garnered from a "crappy" manual.

Yes, the FSM is the authority on repairs. No independent publication will be better suited. Any differences in a publication is over-ridden by the authority in the FSM. Although, the FSM is missing the in-between steps that may be covered in a "crappy" manual. Remember, the FSM is written for the audience of Honda trained mechanics.

The information on forums needs to be tempered. There are many "experts" who know little but are able to hack their way to a solution.

@reclinedrelic Yes, that would be a good primer also.

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