Manual Cam Chain Tensioner VS 2014 Cam Chain Tensioner, On 2012 ST

[Don in Lodi]

Is this the correct Graves unit?
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/graves-high-precision-cam-chain-tensioner-yamaha-r1-r1m

Yup, the R1 unit.

 

[Leftlane]

Here is another benefit to the manual unit is.
I just finished my first valve adjustment something I discovered,as your cross tightening the cam bearing caps you can micro adjust the cam chain to help prevent the chain from jumping a tooth on the intake sprocket.

 

[scott123007]

Here is another benefit to the manual unit is.
I just finished my first valve adjustment something I discovered,as your cross tightening the cam bearing caps you can micro adjust the cam chain to help prevent the chain from jumping a tooth on the intake sprocket.

Hmmm...Interesting.
The CCT is not even supposed to be installed until after the cams are bolted in place, but if you got away with doing it the way you say, good on you!

 

[becoyote]

Can anyone who has installed the Graves unit give me a heads up on how much adjustment they had left after install?

I put this in after adjusting my valves. I tightened it until I no longer got any slop in the chain guide and just made it snug.

Spun the engine around a few times, checked the valves again and everything seems fine except I was expecting more adjustment left over.
Is this normal or do I have a ton of chain stretch? There is about 7mm worth of thread left.

Bike has just under 55k on it.

https://bmalsch.smugmug.com/Other/From-android/i-tHFCtq9/A

 

[Don in Lodi]

I know the Graves winds up being shorter than the no-name aftermarket I've got. I think the Graves is just that much more of a perfect fit. You shouldn't need to dial in too much more before you change the chain out at a 100,000 miles.

 

[OldRider]

Talked to the U.S.A. Yamaha rep over the phone last week about manual units and OEM and how it effects the YES Warranty, if something go's wrong and is linked to the cam chain your SOL!
So with that they will most likely blame a leaky gas tank on the manual Tensioner.

I would never take a bike in for warranty work with a MCCT on it. ::005::

 

[EricV]

Talked to the U.S.A. Yamaha rep over the phone last week about manual units and OEM and how it effects the YES Warranty, if something go's wrong and is linked to the cam chain your SOL!
So with that they will most likely blame a leaky gas tank on the manual Tensioner.

I've had dealings with Yamaha on YES claims a few times in the past, over minor and major claims, with two different Yamaha motorcycles, (FJR and S10). Your fear is sort of the worst case scenario, which is understandable. However, a YES claim starts with the dealer and a dealer that is willing to work on the bike, go to bat for your interests and wants to see a happy customer leave his business, goes a long way to sorting a YES claim in a positive manner. If the dealer believes your non-oem part or modification/farkle is the root cause of the problem you are trying to get YES coverage on, you're pretty much screwed. Doesn't really matter if they are right or wrong. If you encounter that, and don't share their opinion, go to another dealer before you get to the step of actually filing the YES claim for warranty repairs.

I have never had, or heard of, any claim being denied for an un-related non-oem part or modification. I have had a claim denied because the YES claims manager didn't care about the root cause of the problem, only that part of the claim related to something specifically spelled out in the YES as a non-covered issue, (ring wear).

Having been down this road with a cam chain tensioner failure resulting in engine damage, I am more capable than some in telling you about cam chain issues and YES coverage. The cam chain has no spec from Yamaha for wear. They don't even give you a new length measurement to check. Nothing you can use to determine wear, no way to determine if it's simply worn, or worn beyond the point that it should continue to be used. All the worse if you have 80k+ on the motor. If the Yamaha tech working on the bike says it's "damaged", no problem. If they say it's "worn", then it's automatically not covered. This is because "wear" is specifically not covered under YES.

If the cam chain fails, (extremely rare for a modern Yamaha), there will be questions as to why, and the MCCT is certainly going to come into focus and likely be called the cause, unless there is some other known issue in play.

If it slips, that could be a sticky wicket too, as the only way it could slip is usually if it's loose, and with a MCCT, you would be responsible for that, not Yamaha.

If, however, you burned a valve because an injector went bad and that cylinder was running lean, the MCCT isn't going to be an issue in the YES claim, unless you, (or worse, the tech), try and get the chain replaced while the motor is apart and expect YES to pay for it. You won't be able to prove the cam chain is damaged, (unless it really is), and wear is not covered, nor is there any method by which to determine stretch or wear. (chains don't really stretch, but that's another topic) If the chain was really damaged in the event, the MCCT clearly isn't the root cause of the burned valve and it's very unlikely it will be mentioned at all.

If the wording of the claim causes red flags with the YES claims manager, you can expect the entire process to take a LOT longer. BTDT. If your issue is not yet a known issue, same problem. If these things occur, the "damaged" parts will need to be examined by either the regional rep or the YES claims manager. Immediately ask when the regional rep is due and if at all possible, get them to look at your bike/parts, (waaaay faster and the rep will be more knowledgable), instead of the alternative, having the "damaged" parts in question shipped to the YES manager's location. (Mine was in Michigan, I live in Utah, and the box of parts sat on his office floor for weeks before he bothered to look at it, all the while ignoring queries from the techs at my dealership via the Yamaha claims system).