Reseting cam chain tensioner

[Hendrixwannnabe1]

So my valve clearance adjustment continues on.
Wanted to show how i reset the CCT as it was a PITA till i worked it out.
Might help someone else if they struggling.
Ended up placing body in a vice and then used a socket on an extenstion with the finger from a rubber glove for grip.
Key was to only use light pressure to begin with so it threads down instead of just spinning the internal screw inside the CCT.
Apply more pressure as you get lower.
My circlip wouldnt set itself so i used a small screwdriver to turn the upper clip to lock it in.

Cheers.
Dave.

Sent from my LG-H930 using Tapatalk

 

[PlainJay]

I am resurrecting this post (I know it's old). As more of the newer bikes hit time for valve changes and they have the automatic CCT, this post is of absolute value!!! After over an hour in frustration, i used this technique to reset the tensioner. I will add that I ended up putting the small socket with glove for grip into my cordless drill. Light pressure with slow to medium speed finally allowed the tensioner to retract. Like Dave, I had to apply some pressure on the circle clip to get it to hold as well. Once the CCT was mounted, I tapped the cam chain down by the clutch rearward with my hand and "POP", the tensioner released.
I hope this saves someone a few hours in the future.
First check at ~40k miles and all 4 exhaust valves were tight (some really tight).
Jay

 

[Highwayman]

Each his own. I've always absolutely avoided doing this with non manual CCTs as a tech working on autos and mcs. The CCT replacement is included in cost of job. The minimal $ replacing it all together vs forcing the plunger back in isn't worth the cost if the CCT is damaged and running it. Generally non manual CCTs are not considered reusable parts.

 

[PlainJay]

Interesting perspective @Highwayman and I trust your expertise. Honestly, I was ready to give up and buy a new one, but the cheapest replacement I found was ~$190 before shipping. I'm not sure I consider that minimal cost, albeit paying 2 hours of shop rate to reset the darn thing would have been a wash. Never the less, I am confident that it was reset properly and will function as designed.

 

[Mr. BR]

Helpful post above and I've tried every method I could find here on the forum with no success... the plunger just spins and will not engage that inner threaded rod to allow the plunger to retract.
Very frustrating and I may just order a manual unit...
My bike is a GEN1 but I have the later CCT... I'm also not clear on how to release the plunger once you install it... (I have a Yam shop manual).
Mr. BR

 

[PlainJay]

Good luck Mr. BR, it is really frustrating. Hopefully, you can take a break and come back with the above techniques and find success. Per my post above, turning slowly with a drill helped greatly. Releasing was really easy as I just tapped the chain and it popped out to tension again. For what it's worth, I've got >15K miles since this procedure and it's still going strong.

 

[Mr. BR]

Thanks!
I've tried fast, slow, easy, hard but I'm pretty sure the inner threaded rod is simply turning with the main plunger.
I'll try again tonight but first I need to find one piece that fell off my bench last night and so far no luck finding it.
THAT may be my clue to move on to a manual CCT (ouch! $177).
Mr. BR

 

[BWC]

I took these pics. of my old 23P model CCT off of my 12 way back when the new 2BS CCT came available on the 14+ model and I upgraded my 12. Thought they might be of some help with Mr BR and his situation

 

[Mr. BR]

Thank for the add'l info, BWC. I just re-checked my CCT and I do have the 2nd GEN 2BS unit. This was upgraded by the previous owner while bike was in the shop for a valve check (which is what I'm doing). Anyway, problem solved as I have just ordered a new Graves Manual CCT... should have it by the weekend so I can resume my work to reassemble the bike.
Mr. BR

 

[Mr. BR]

I never did find the missing part that flung off my work bench...
But my Graves CCT arrived a few days earlier than expected so now it's time for reassembly...
Regards,
Mr. BR