Noise likely the Cam Chain Tensioner?

Good Morning Guys and Gals.

Was hoping someone might be able to advise on common problems with the CB500 (95)?

Recently developed what I think is a loose cam chain and was wondering if you guys have experience with the tensioner breaking or getting stuck after around 15-18,000 miles?
I know the Honda VTR has an issue with the oil feed to the front tensioner and it can fail but was wondering if this is the cause of my added engine noise in the CB?

Sound not there on cold start up but appears after warming up.
Noisiest at 2.5k revs and slowly disappears as revs build.
On releasing the throttle on overrun/engine breaking it seems to come straight back.

Best advice on this?
Remove check and replace the tensioner ASAP? Big Job?
Install a manual tensioner? Are there any for sale?

Thank you as recently crashed my winter bike and need to make sure the CB will work for me

I have heard of them sticking and causing a rattle. 


It's not a big job to extract it and check it.  Just two bolts and a key (or suitably wedged screwdriver) to hold it in the retracted position whilst you re-install it.


One other thought, have you had the valve clearances checked?  I don't imagine they'd cause such a notable noise though.

Have a look here too:

http://www.cb500club.net/t4626-camchain-tensioner-removal?highlight=tensioner

sullivj wrote:I have heard of them sticking and causing a rattle. 


It's not a big job to extract it and check it.  Just two bolts and a key (or suitably wedged screwdriver) to hold it in the retracted position whilst you re-install it.


One other thought, have you had the valve clearances checked?  I don't imagine they'd cause such a notable noise though.

Have a look here too:

http://www.cb500club.net/t4626-camchain-tensioner-removal?highlight=tensioner

Hey Sullivj.

Thank You for the heads up on stuff to check
I've got a Tensioner key for the VTR still somewhere so I'll dig that out.

I just need to be gentle removing and reinstalling don't I, make sure nothing jumps a tooth?

Vardypeeps wrote:

sullivj wrote:I have heard of them sticking and causing a rattle. 


It's not a big job to extract it and check it.  Just two bolts and a key (or suitably wedged screwdriver) to hold it in the retracted position whilst you re-install it.


One other thought, have you had the valve clearances checked?  I don't imagine they'd cause such a notable noise though.

Have a look here too:

http://www.cb500club.net/t4626-camchain-tensioner-removal?highlight=tensioner

Hey Sullivj.

Thank You for the heads up on stuff to check
I've got a Tensioner key for the VTR still somewhere so I'll dig that out.

I just need to be gentle removing and reinstalling don't I, make sure nothing jumps a tooth?

The chain will still be connected over both cogs top and bottom.  I don't believe it would have enough stretch to 'jump a tooth' whilst you remove just the CCT.

sullivj wrote:

Vardypeeps wrote:

sullivj wrote:I have heard of them sticking and causing a rattle. 


It's not a big job to extract it and check it.  Just two bolts and a key (or suitably wedged screwdriver) to hold it in the retracted position whilst you re-install it.


One other thought, have you had the valve clearances checked?  I don't imagine they'd cause such a notable noise though.

Have a look here too:

http://www.cb500club.net/t4626-camchain-tensioner-removal?highlight=tensioner

Hey Sullivj.

Thank You for the heads up on stuff to check
I've got a Tensioner key for the VTR still somewhere so I'll dig that out.

I just need to be gentle removing and reinstalling don't I, make sure nothing jumps a tooth?

The chain will still be connected over both cogs top and bottom.  I don't believe it would have enough stretch to 'jump a tooth' whilst you remove just the CCT.

Excellent, also just noticed I put this in the wrong section, sorry!

Just moved it to general.

The camchain tensioner has a 8mm nut holding it on, try to "crack" this before you fully remove the tensioner. There are then two bolts either side and under these. 
The tensioner should extend fully and push itself against the bolts are you're undoing them so it'll come away from the engine. 
Then use the key since you have one, or a very thin flathead screwdriver in my case, and you should be able to retract the tensioner. You can retract it all the way back and it'll lock into place, then release it a bit and it should just pop out. If so then all is well with the tensioner, just reinstall it and remember to release the entender from the locked position before you start the engine.

It's not too bad to replace, as described above. It can be a bit of a pain if you have big hands - but you can probably get around these problems by use of the correct tools. Also easier to do if the bike has cooled down

Update on this.

I've done a manual tensioner swap on my Honda VTR and that was easy enough until I accidentally rotated the engine with no tension on it and heard the cams jump a tooth or two.

Removed the old tensioner and soaked the new one in oil before installing.
All seems fine now the new tensioner is in and is seems the old one had lost some spring strength that forces out the plunger and the internal flat surfaces of the plunger had some strange diagonal wear marks that may have been catching.

Glad to hear you got the problem sorted out